Essent Group (ESNT) vs Palomar (PLMR)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
Palomar (PLMR) has outperformed Essent Group (ESNT) over the past year, gaining 9.9% versus a gain of 3.0%. Over five years, PLMR leads with a +55.2% price change compared with +26.0% for ESNT. Essent Group is the larger company by market cap ($5.71 billion vs $3.48 billion), about 1.6 times the size, while Palomar is growing revenue faster (+58.2% vs +1.5%).
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (8.0x vs 11.6x for Palomar). Essent Group pays a dividend yielding 2.08%, while Palomar does not currently pay one. Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 22.5%.
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 | PLMR |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.56 | $131.44 |
| Market cap | $5.71B | $3.48B |
| 1-day change | +2.68% | +3.64% |
| YTD return | -4.78% | -5.89% |
| 1-year return | +3.01% | +9.86% |
| 5-year return | +26.04% | +55.17% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.86 | 17.69 |
| Forward P/E | 7.99 | 11.57 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $7.43 |
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 1.42% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $0.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $875.97M |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +58.16% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $197.07M |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 22.50% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $147.62 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $100.81 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.68% | -10.96% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | buy |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.78% | +23.25% |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 241.99K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 26.50M |
| Employees | 518 | 439 |
| 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
- Palomar trades at a higher earnings multiple (17.7x vs 8.9x trailing P/E).
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 22.5 cents for Palomar.
- Palomar grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+58.16% vs +1.45%).
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 Palomar
PLMR stock →Palomar Holdings, Inc., a specialty insurance company, provides property and casualty insurance to individuals and businesses in the United States. The company offers personal and commercial specialty insurance products, including residential and commercial earthquake; fronting; and inland marine and other property products, such as inland marine, Hawaii hurricane, excess national property, residential flood, and other property products, as well as assumed reinsurance and crop insurance products.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 439 employees
ESNT vs PLMR FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or Palomar?
Essent Group (ESNT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.71B compared with $3.48B for Palomar (PLMR).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or PLMR?
PLMR returned +9.86% over the past 12 months, compared with +3.01% for ESNT (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESNT or PLMR?
ESNT has the lower trailing P/E at 8.9, versus 17.7 for PLMR. 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 Palomar?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.08%, compared with 1.42% for Palomar.
Are Essent Group and Palomar in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.