6 Undervalued Insurance - Property & Casualty Stocks for Thursday, August 24

By Grace Malone
August 24, 2023
Diamond graphic indicating best value stocks in their industry
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Based on key financial metrics such as the price-to-sales ratio, shareholder yield and the price-earnings ratio, the following 6 stocks made the list for top value stocks in the Insurance - Property & Casualty industry. Those looking for value stocks to add to their portfolio may want to use this list as a starting point for further investment research.

Latest Insurance - Property & Casualty Stock News

Before choosing which top Insurance - Property & Casualty stock to buy, be sure to conduct proper due diligence: analyze various financial metrics and look at historical data, public statements and news coverage.

The sub-industry of property and casualty insurance has a promising fundamental outlook. Despite some inflation in claim costs brought on by pandemics and some uncertainty regarding the size of claims resulting from the conflict in Ukraine, industry profitability is expected to increase in 2022 due to an anticipated decrease in the number of significant global catastrophe claims that have plagued most insurers in recent years. However, it's likely that these losses will force the insurance industry to release adequate extra underwriting capacity, leading to firmer rates across many lines of coverage. The state of the global and domestic economies overall, as well as how well they recover from the recession brought on by COVID19, will determine how much demand there is for specific types of insurance products, particularly those in the commercial lines sector. The sector has $989 billion in surplus (or capital) from policyholders as of September 30, 2021 (the most recent date known), which helped to fund its $701 billion written premium base. Less than a 1:1 ratio was being used by the sector to leverage its capital. The industry has "excess" capital of close to $600 billion by assuming a historical (and somewhat theoretical) benchmark 2:1 leverage of capital. Insurers will be able to take advantage of higher rates and a rise in coverage demand during an economic recovery thanks to this "extra" capital (or underwriting capacity). The S&P Property & Casualty Insurance Index increased by 8.6% year-to-date until March 18, 2022, while the S&P 1500 Index fell by 6.2%. The S&P Property & Casualty Insurance Index increased by 16% in 2021, while the S&P 1500 Index increased by 26.7%.

Why Focus on Undervalued Insurance - Property & Casualty Stocks?

Value investors seek to buy stocks at a discount to their intrinsic value. Long-term returns show that such strategies are advantageous. Value stocks, as a group, tend to outperform growth stocks over extended periods of time. Typically, value investors perform financial analysis of numerous metrics, don’t follow the herd and are long-term investors.

AAII’s A+ Investor Value Grade is derived from a stock’s Value Score. The Value Score is the percentile rank of the average of the percentile ranks of the price-to-sales ratio, price-earnings ratio, enterprise-value-to-EBITDA (EV/EBITDA) ratio, shareholder yield, price-to-book-value ratio and price-to-free-cash-flow ratio. The score is variable, meaning it can consider all six ratios or, should any of the six ratios not be valid, the remaining ratios that are valid. To be assigned a Value Score, stocks must have a valid (non-null) ratio and corresponding ranking for at least two of the six valuation ratios.

What Goes Into AAII’s Value Grade?

Stock evaluation requires access to huge amounts of data as well as the knowledge and time to sift through it all, make sense of financial ratios, read income statements and analyze recent stock movement. AAII created A+ Investor, a robust data suite that condenses data research in an actionable and customizable way suitable for investors of all knowledge levels, to help investors with that task.

AAII’s proprietary stock grades come with A+ Investor. These offer intuitive A–F grades for more than just value. It is possible for a stock to appear cheap based on one valuation metric but appear expensive on another. It is also possible for one valuation ratio to be associated with outperforming stocks during certain periods of time but not others. Some stocks may even have null values for certain metrics like the price-earnings ratio or the price-to-book ratio but not others. An example of this would be a company with losses instead of profits or a negative book value because of heavy borrowing. Negative earnings or book value result in non-meaningful ratios that are left blank or null.

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6 Undervalued Insurance - Property & Casualty Stocks

Of course, there are countless value stocks that are worth mentioning, but this is a concise list of the top 6 undervalued stocks in the Insurance - Property & Casualty industry for Thursday, August 24, 2023. Let’s take a closer look at their individual scores to see how they measure up against each other and the Insurance - Property & Casualty industry median.

Company Ticker Price/Sales Price/Earnings EV/EBITDA Shareholder Yield Price/Book Value Price/Free Cash Flow Value Grade
Assured Guaranty Ltd. AGO 4.08 11.1 12.4 9.2% 0.65 na B
Employers Holdings Inc EIG 1.21 8.5 5.1 6.4% 1.08 na A
Essent Group Ltd ESNT 5.28 8.1 6.5 2.6% 1.13 9.1 B
Fidelity National Financial Inc FNF 0.95 21.1 8.4 7.4% 1.73 2.0 B
Mercury General Corp MCY 0.37 na 3.6 4.4% 1.13 10.2 A
Westaim Corp WEDXF 36.00 2.7 na 0.9% 0.78 na B

The Value Grade is assigned based on how each stock’s composite valuation compares to all other stocks.

The process for assigning grades starts with each variable for a given stock. The percentile rankings for all valid ratios that a stock has are calculated. So, for instance, a stock could have a price-to-book ranking in the 43rd percentile, a price-earnings ranking in the 67th percentile, a price-to-sales ranking in the 23rd percentile, etc. Then, those rankings are averaged for each stock. (A minimum of two valid variables are required, though all six will be used if available.)

Once the average of the individual variables is calculated, that average is ranked against all stocks. Put another way, each stock’s composite valuation is compared to all other stocks. These ranks are then sorted into quintiles from the cheapest 20% (a grade of A) to the most expensive 20% (a grade of F).

As always, we recommend that you conduct proper due diligence and research before investing in any security. We also suggest that investors utilize numerous grades, not just value, when it comes to deciding whether a company is a good fit for their allocation needs.

Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score AGO Industry Median
Price/Sales 76 4.08 0.96
Price/Earnings 34 11.1 11.6
EV/EBITDA 60 12.4 7.0
Shareholder Yield 9 9.2% 2.8%
Price/Book Value 14 0.65 1.17
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 8.4

Assured Guaranty Ltd. is a holding company. The Company, through its subsidiaries, provides credit protection products and asset management services. Its segments include Insurance and Asset Management. In the Insurance segment, the Company applies its credit underwriting judgment, risk management skills and capital markets experience primarily to offer financial guaranty insurance that protects holders of debt instruments and other monetary obligations from defaults in scheduled payments. It markets its financial guaranty insurance directly to issuers and underwriters of public finance and structured finance securities as well as to investors in such obligations. It guarantees obligations issued principally in the United States and the United Kingdom and also guarantees obligations issued in other countries and regions, including Western Europe, Canada and Australia. Asset Management segment provides asset management services, through its subsidiary, Assured Investment Management LLC.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Assured Guaranty Ltd. has a Value Score of 68, which is considered to be undervalued.

When you look at Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s price-to-sales ratio at 4.08 compared to the industry median at 0.96, this company has a higher price relative to revenue compared to its peers. This could make Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s stock less attractive for value investors.

Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s price-earnings ratio is 11.14 compared to the industry median at 11.58. This means it has a lower share price relative to earnings compared to its peers. This could make Assured Guaranty Ltd. more attractive for value investors.

Now, let’s assess Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s EV/EBITDA ratio, also known as enterprise multiple. At 12.4, when compared to the industry median of 7.0, the company may be considered overvalued in relation to its peers. Value investors could use the enterprise multiple to identify stocks that are considered overvalued or undervalued relative to their industry.

Shareholder yield is the sum of a stock’s dividend yield (paid over previous 12 months minus special dividends) and the percentage of net share buybacks over the previous 12 months. Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s shareholder yield is higher than its industry median ratio of 2.82%. Value investors may look for an attractive shareholder yield because it can be a powerful tool for identifying if the company has a good management team.

As one of the most common value metrics, the price-to-book ratio evaluates a company’s current market price relative to its book value. Assured Guaranty Ltd.’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its industry median ratio of 1.17. This could make Assured Guaranty Ltd. more attractive to investors looking for a new addition to their portfolio.

Employers Holdings Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score EIG Industry Median
Price/Sales 40 1.21 0.96
Price/Earnings 23 8.5 11.6
EV/EBITDA 22 5.1 7.0
Shareholder Yield 14 6.4% 2.8%
Price/Book Value 33 1.08 1.17
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 8.4

Employers Holdings, Inc. is a holding company. The Company, through its wholly owned insurance subsidiaries, Employers Insurance Company of Nevada (EICN), Employers Compensation Insurance Company (ECIC), Employers Preferred Insurance Company (EPIC), Employers Assurance Company (EAC), and Cerity Insurance Company (CIC), is engaged in the commercial property and casualty insurance industry, specializing in workers compensation products and services. Its segments include Employers and Cerity. The Employers segment represents the traditional business offered under its EMPLOYERS brand name through its agents, including business originated from its strategic partnerships and alliances. The Cerity segment represents the business offered under its Cerity brand name, which includes its direct-to-customer business. The Company provides workers compensation insurance throughout the United States, with a concentration in California.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Employers Holdings Inc has a Value Score of 88, which is considered to be undervalued.

Employers Holdings Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 8.5 compared to the industry median at 11.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Employers Holdings Inc more attractive for value investors.

Employers Holdings Inc’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Employers Holdings Inc less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.17.

You can read more about Employers Holdings Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Essent Group Ltd’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score ESNT Industry Median
Price/Sales 81 5.28 0.96
Price/Earnings 22 8.1 11.6
EV/EBITDA 30 6.5 7.0
Shareholder Yield 30 2.6% 2.8%
Price/Book Value 35 1.13 1.17
Price/Free Cash Flow 29 9.1 8.4

Essent Group Ltd. is a holding company. The Company, through its wholly owned subsidiaries, offers private mortgage insurance, reinsurance, risk management products and title insurance and settlement services to mortgage lenders, borrowers, and investors to support homeownership. In addition to offering mortgage insurance, it provides contract underwriting services on a limited basis through CUW Solutions, LLC. It also offers mortgage-related insurance and reinsurance through its Bermuda-based subsidiary, Essent Reinsurance Ltd. It provides private capital to mitigate mortgage credit risk, allowing lenders to make additional mortgage financing available to prospective homeowners. Its products and services include mortgage insurance, contract underwriting, and Bermuda-Based insurance and reinsurance. It offers two types of private mortgage insurance, namely primary and pool. Its subsidiaries also include Agents National Title Holding Company and Boston National Holdings LLC.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Essent Group Ltd has a Value Score of 69, which is considered to be undervalued.

Essent Group Ltd’s price-earnings ratio is 8.1 compared to the industry median at 11.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Essent Group Ltd more attractive for value investors.

Essent Group Ltd’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Essent Group Ltd less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.17.

You can read more about Essent Group Ltd’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Fidelity National Financial Inc’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score FNF Industry Median
Price/Sales 33 0.95 0.96
Price/Earnings 59 21.1 11.6
EV/EBITDA 42 8.4 7.0
Shareholder Yield 12 7.4% 2.8%
Price/Book Value 52 1.73 1.17
Price/Free Cash Flow 4 2.0 8.4

Fidelity National Financial, Inc. is a provider of title insurance, escrow and other title-related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, recordings and reconveyances and home warranty products. The Company provides transaction services to the real estate and mortgage industries. It operates through three segments: Title, F&G;, and Corporate and Other. The Title segment consists of the operations of its title insurance underwriters and related businesses, which provide title insurance and escrow and other title-related services, including trust activities, trustee sales guarantees, and home warranty products. The F&G; segment consists of operations of its annuities and life insurance related businesses. This segment issues a broad portfolio of annuity and life insurance products, including deferred annuities (fixed indexed and fixed rate annuities) and immediate annuities. The Corporate and Other segment consists of the operations of the parent holding company.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Fidelity National Financial Inc has a Value Score of 76, which is considered to be undervalued.

Fidelity National Financial Inc’s price-earnings ratio is 21.1 compared to the industry median at 11.6. This means that it has a higher price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Fidelity National Financial Inc less attractive for value investors.

Fidelity National Financial Inc’s price-to-book ratio is lower than its peers. This could make Fidelity National Financial Inc more attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.17.

You can read more about Fidelity National Financial Inc’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Mercury General Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score MCY Industry Median
Price/Sales 15 0.37 0.96
Price/Earnings na na 11.6
EV/EBITDA 12 3.6 7.0
Shareholder Yield 21 4.4% 2.8%
Price/Book Value 35 1.13 1.17
Price/Free Cash Flow 33 10.2 8.4

Mercury General Corporation is an insurance holding company engaged in writing personal automobile insurance business. The Company writes homeowners, commercial automobile, commercial property, mechanical protection and umbrella insurance. The Company?s automobile coverages include collision, property damage, bodily injury, personal injury protection, underinsured, and uninsured motorist and other hazards. Its homeowners? coverage includes dwelling, liability, personal property, fire and other hazards. The Company offers standard, non-standard and preferred private passenger automobile insurance. It also offers homeowners insurance in approximately 10 states, commercial automobile insurance in approximately four states, and mechanical protection insurance in various states. Its subsidiaries include Mercury Casualty Company, California Automobile Insurance Company, Orion Indemnity Company, American Mercury Insurance Company, Animas Funding LLC, and Mercury Insurance Company of Illinois.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Mercury General Corp has a Value Score of 92, which is considered to be undervalued.

Mercury General Corp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Mercury General Corp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.17.

You can read more about Mercury General Corp’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

Westaim Corp’s Value Grade

Value Grade:

Metric Score WEDXF Industry Median
Price/Sales 96 36.00 0.96
Price/Earnings 4 2.7 11.6
EV/EBITDA na na 7.0
Shareholder Yield 39 0.9% 2.8%
Price/Book Value 20 0.78 1.17
Price/Free Cash Flow na na 8.4

The Westaim Corporation is an investment company. The Company specializes in providing long-term capital to businesses operating primarily within the global financial services industry. The Company invests, directly and indirectly, through acquisitions, joint ventures and other arrangements, with the objective of providing its shareholders with capital appreciation and real wealth preservation. Its investment strategy is to pursue investment opportunities with a focus towards the global financial services industry. Its investments include interests in Skyward Specialty, Arena Investors and Arena FINCOs. Skyward Specialty is a diversified specialty property & casualty insurance holding company that underwrites select property, casualty, surety, and accident and health insurance coverages. The Arena FINCOs include specialty finance companies that primarily purchase fundamentals-based, asset-oriented credit and other investments. Arena Investors operates as an investment manager.

Stocks with a Value Score from 81 to 100 are considered deep value, those with a score between 61 and 80 are value and so on.

Westaim Corp has a Value Score of 66, which is considered to be undervalued.

Westaim Corp’s price-earnings ratio is 2.7 compared to the industry median at 11.6. This means that it has a lower price relative to its earnings compared to its peers. This makes Westaim Corp more attractive for value investors.

Westaim Corp’s price-to-book ratio is higher than its peers. This could make Westaim Corp less attractive for value investors when compared to the industry median at 1.17.

You can read more about Westaim Corp’s key financial metrics like shareholder yield, price-to-free-cash-flow and EV/EBITDA ratio, or learn more about its Momentum and Growth Grades, by subscribing to A+ Investor.

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Other Insurance - Property & Casualty Stock Grades

Value is just one of the five Stock Grades included in our A+ Investor service. AAII members can see the top-graded stocks—those with grades of A or B for value, growth, momentum, earnings estimate revisions and quality—on the A+ Stock Grades Screener.

Also, if you want full access to all of AAII’s premium services, you can subscribe to one convenient bundled plan called AAII Platinum where you can try out A+ Investor, AAII Dividend Investing, the Stock Superstars Report, Growth Investing and VMQ Stocks. With the other premium services, you can dive deep into additional metrics, portfolios, commentary and information about Insurance - Property & Casualty stocks as well as other industrys.

Choosing Which of the 6 Best Insurance - Property & Casualty Stocks Is Right for You

Choosing which value stocks to invest in will ultimately depend on your individual goals and allocation; however, comparing similar value stocks in the same industry can help you analyze which might be better investments for you in the long run. So, let’s take a look at the Value Grade for all of our stocks.

  • Assured Guaranty Ltd. stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Employers Holdings Inc stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • Essent Group Ltd stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Fidelity National Financial Inc stock has a Value Grade of B.
  • Mercury General Corp stock has a Value Grade of A.
  • Westaim Corp stock has a Value Grade of B.

Now that you have a bit more background about each of the 6 undervalued stocks in the Insurance - Property & Casualty industry as well as their overall grades, it’s time for you to conduct additional research to see if these could fit your portfolio needs based on your goals and risk tolerance. AAII can help you figure out both and identify which investments align with what works best for you.

We do so through a program of education that teaches you to invest for yourself and become an effective manager of your own wealth—no more relying on others for your financial independence. You can rely on AAII for timeless articles on financial planning and stock-picking, unbiased research and actionable analysis that makes you a better investor.

A+ Investor adds to that qualitative teaching by giving you a powerful data suite that helps you whittle down investment decisions to find stocks, exchange-traded funds (ETFs) or mutual funds that meet your needs.

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Additional Resources About Insurance - Property & Casualty Stocks

Want to learn more about Insurance - Property & Casualty stocks to see if they could be the right investment for you? Check out some additional resources and articles to help you on your financial journey.

AAII Disclaimer

We make no representations or warranties that any investor will, or is likely to, achieve profits similar to those shown, because past, hypothetical or simulated performance is not necessarily indicative of future results. Before making an investment decision, you should consider your circumstances and whether the information on our content is applicable to your situation. This information was prepared in good faith and we accept no liability for any errors or omissions. The full disclaimer can be read here.



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