Essent Group (ESNT) vs Selective Insurance Group (SIGI)
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 Selective Insurance Group (SIGI) over the past year, gaining 3.0% versus a loss of 0.5%. Over five years, ESNT leads with a +26.0% price change compared with +6.7% for SIGI. Essent Group is the larger company by market cap ($5.72 billion vs $5.07 billion), about 1.1 times the size, while Selective Insurance Group is growing revenue faster (+9.8% vs +1.5%).
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (8.0x vs 9.7x for Selective Insurance Group). Essent Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.08% vs 1.96%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 8.7%.
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 | SIGI |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.59 | $85.13 |
| Market cap | $5.72B | $5.07B |
| 1-day change | +2.73% | +1.57% |
| YTD return | -4.78% | +0.17% |
| 1-year return | +3.01% | -0.51% |
| 5-year return | +26.04% | +6.66% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.87 | 10.56 |
| Forward P/E | 7.99 | 9.68 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $8.06 |
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 1.96% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $1.67 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $5.34B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +9.78% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $466.41M |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 8.74% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $100.40 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $72.78 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.63% | -15.21% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.72% | +19.65% |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 478.33K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 59.57M |
| Employees | 518 | 2,800 |
| 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
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 8.7 cents for Selective Insurance Group.
- Selective Insurance Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+9.78% 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 Selective Insurance Group
SIGI stock →Selective Insurance Group, Inc., together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance products and services in the United States. The company operates through four segments: Standard Commercial Lines, Standard Personal Lines, E&S Lines, and Investments.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 2,800 employees
ESNT vs SIGI FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or Selective Insurance Group?
Essent Group (ESNT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.72B compared with $5.07B for Selective Insurance Group (SIGI).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or SIGI?
ESNT returned +3.01% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.51% for SIGI (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, ESNT or SIGI?
ESNT has the lower trailing P/E at 8.9, versus 10.6 for SIGI. 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 Selective Insurance Group?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.08%, compared with 1.96% for Selective Insurance Group.
Are Essent Group and Selective Insurance Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.