Essent Group (ESNT) vs White Mountains Insurance Group (WTM)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
White Mountains Insurance Group (WTM) has outperformed Essent Group (ESNT) over the past year, gaining 6.6% versus a gain of 3.0%. Over five years, WTM leads with a +84.4% price change compared with +26.0% for ESNT. Essent Group is the larger company by market cap ($5.72 billion vs $4.92 billion), about 1.2 times the size, while White Mountains Insurance Group is growing revenue faster (+66.8% vs +1.5%).
On valuation, Essent Group trades at a lower forward P/E (8.0x vs 22.9x for White Mountains Insurance Group). Essent Group offers the higher dividend yield (2.08% vs 0.05%). Essent Group converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 54.7% versus 29.6%.
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 | WTM |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $63.59 | $2,059.77 |
| Market cap | $5.72B | $4.92B |
| 1-day change | +2.73% | +1.39% |
| YTD return | -4.78% | -2.24% |
| 1-year return | +3.01% | +6.63% |
| 5-year return | +26.04% | +84.44% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 8.87 | 4.72 |
| Forward P/E | 7.99 | 22.89 |
| EPS (TTM) | $7.17 | $436.50 |
| Dividend yield | 2.08% | 0.05% |
| Annual dividend | $1.32 | $1.00 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $1.26B | $3.73B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | +1.45% | +66.76% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $689.97M | $1.11B |
| Gross margin | — | 95.94% |
| Net margin | 54.72% | 29.62% |
| 52-week high | $70.37 | $2,333.00 |
| 52-week low | $55.34 | $1,830.13 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -9.63% | -11.71% |
| Analyst consensus | buy | — |
| Avg. price target upside | +17.72% | — |
| Average volume | 669.20K | 19.84K |
| Shares outstanding | 89.88M | 2.39M |
| Employees | 518 | 1,648 |
| 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 trades at a higher earnings multiple (8.9x vs 4.7x trailing P/E).
- Essent Group offers a meaningfully higher dividend yield (2.08% vs 0.05%).
- Essent Group is more profitable, keeping 54.7 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 29.6 cents for White Mountains Insurance Group.
- White Mountains Insurance Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+66.76% 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 White Mountains Insurance Group
WTM stock →White Mountains Insurance Group, Ltd. provides insurance services in the United States, the United Kingdom, Bermuda, and internationally.
Finance · Property-Casualty Insurers · 1,648 employees
ESNT vs WTM FAQ
Which is bigger, Essent Group or White Mountains Insurance Group?
Essent Group (ESNT) is larger, with a market capitalization of $5.72B compared with $4.92B for White Mountains Insurance Group (WTM).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, ESNT or WTM?
WTM returned +6.63% 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 WTM?
WTM has the lower trailing P/E at 4.7, versus 8.9 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 White Mountains Insurance Group?
Essent Group has the higher yield at 2.08%, compared with 0.05% for White Mountains Insurance Group.
Are Essent Group and White Mountains Insurance Group in the same industry?
Yes. Both are classified in the Property-Casualty Insurers industry within the Finance sector.