Essent Group (ESNT) vs Hanover Insurance Group (THG)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 7, 2026.
Summary
Hanover Insurance Group (THG) has outperformed Essent Group (ESNT) over the past year, gaining 17.9% versus a gain of 3.0%. Over five years, THG leads with a +62.0% price change compared with +26.0% for ESNT. Hanover Insurance Group is the larger company by market cap ($7.58 billion vs $5.56 billion), about 1.4 times the size.
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (7.8x vs 11.1x for Hanover Insurance Group). Essent Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.13% vs 1.72%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 10.0%.
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 | THG |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $61.90 | $217.61 |
| Market cap | $5.56B | $7.58B |
| 1-day change | +0.02% | -1.10% |
| YTD return | -4.78% | +19.06% |
| 1-year return | +3.01% | +17.95% |
| 5-year return | +26.04% | +61.98% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.63 | 10.42 |
| Forward P/E | 7.78 | 11.10 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $20.89 |
| Dividend yield | 2.13% | 1.72% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $3.75 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $6.59B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +5.72% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $662.50M |
| Operating margin | — | 14.15% |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 10.05% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $236.07 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $166.54 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -12.04% | -7.82% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | hold |
| Avg. price target upside | +20.94% | +8.91% |
| Average volume | 670.69K | 310.99K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 34.82M |
| Employees | 518 | 4,900 |
| 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
- THG has outperformed ESNT by 14.9 percentage points over the past year.
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 10.0 cents for Hanover Insurance 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 Hanover Insurance Group
THG stock →The Hanover Insurance Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, provides various property and casualty insurance products and services for individuals and businesses in the United States. It operates in four segments: Core Commercial, Specialty, Personal Lines, and Other.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 4,900 employees
ESNT vs THG FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or Hanover Insurance Group?
Hanover Insurance Group (THG) is larger, with a market capitalization of $7.58B compared with $5.56B for Essent Group (ESNT).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or THG?
THG returned +17.95% 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 THG?
ESNT has the lower trailing P/E at 8.6, versus 10.4 for THG. 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 Hanover Insurance Group?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.13%, compared with 1.72% for Hanover Insurance Group.
Are Essent Group and Hanover Insurance Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.