Essent Group (ESNT) vs MGIC Investment (MTG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Essent Group (ESNT) has outperformed MGIC Investment (MTG) over the past year, gaining 3.0% versus a gain of 0.1%. Over five years, MTG leads with a +65.4% price change compared with +26.0% for ESNT. MGIC Investment is the larger company by market cap ($5.68 billion vs $5.67 billion), about 1.0 times the size, while Essent Group is growing revenue faster (+1.5% vs +0.5%).
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (7.9x vs 7.9x for MGIC Investment). MGIC Investment offers the higher dividend yield (2.17% vs 2.09%). MGIC Investment converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 60.8% versus 54.7%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | ESNT | MTG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.09 | $27.67 |
| Market cap | $5.67B | $5.68B |
| 1-day change | +1.92% | +2.22% |
| YTD return | -4.78% | -7.36% |
| 1-year return | +3.01% | +0.11% |
| 5-year return | +26.04% | +65.36% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.80 | 8.65 |
| Forward P/E | 7.93 | 7.94 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $3.20 |
| Dividend yield | 2.09% | 2.17% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $0.60 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $1.21B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +0.49% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $738.35M |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 60.84% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $31.89 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $24.69 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -10.35% | -13.23% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +18.66% | +13.48% |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 2.00M |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 205.12M |
| Employees | 518 | 542 |
| Sector | Finance | Finance |
| Industry | Property-Casualty Insurers | Property-Casualty Insurers |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- MGIC Investment is more profitable, keeping 60.8 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 54.7 cents for Essent Group.
About Essent Group
ESNT stock →Essent Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance and reinsurance, and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors in the United States. It operates through two segments, Mortgage Insurance and Reinsurance.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 518 employees
About MGIC Investment
MTG stock →MGIC Investment Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance, other mortgage credit risk management solutions, and ancillary services in the United States, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and Guam. The company offers primary insurance that provides mortgage default protection on individual loans, as well as covers unpaid loan principal, delinquent interest, and various expenses associated with the default and subsequent foreclosure on the mortgage or sale of the underlying property.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 542 employees
ESNT vs MTG FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or MGIC Investment?
MGIC Investment (MTG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.68B compared with $5.67B for Essent Group (ESNT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or MTG?
ESNT returned +3.01% over the past 12 months, compared with +0.11% for MTG (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESNT or MTG?
MTG has the lower trailing P/E at 8.6, versus 8.8 for ESNT. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, Essent Group or MGIC Investment?
MGIC Investment has the higher yield at 2.17%, compared with 2.09% for Essent Group.
Are Essent Group and MGIC Investment in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.