BOW
Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
Insurance - Property & Casualty
Market Cap$812M
5Y Perf.-7.8%
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Stock Comparison
BOW vs JRVR
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
JRVR
James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
Insurance - Specialty
Market Cap$207M
5Y Perf.-42.3%
BOW vs JRVR — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | BOW | JRVR |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Property & Casualty | Insurance - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $812M | $207M |
| Revenue (TTM) | $584M | $667M |
| Net Income (TTM) | $58M | $29M |
| Gross Margin | 34.4% | 27.4% |
| Operating Margin | 12.6% | 3.6% |
| Forward P/E | 12.8x | 4.1x |
| Total Debt | $0.00 | $330M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $234M | $261M |
BOW vs JRVR — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
BOW
JRVR
| Stock | May 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowhead Specialty H… (BOW) | 100 | 92.2 | -7.8% |
| James River Group H… (JRVR) | 100 | 57.7 | -42.3% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BOW vs JRVR
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: BOW leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for growth and revenue expansion and profitability and margin quality. James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is the stronger pick specifically for valuation and capital efficiency and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
BOW
Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
The Insurance Pick
BOW carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 1 yrs, beta 0.43
- Rev growth 29.6%, EPS growth 23.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 43.3%
- 3.9% 10Y total return vs JRVR's -56.9%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
JRVR
James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
The Insurance Pick
JRVR is the clearest fit if your priority is value and dividends.
- Lower P/E (4.1x vs 12.8x)
- 0.7% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend
- -5.7% vs BOW's -39.7%
Best for: value and dividends
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | BOW | 29.6% revenue growth vs JRVR's -2.8% |
| Value | JRVR | Lower P/E (4.1x vs 12.8x) |
| Quality / Margins | BOW | Combined ratio 0.9 vs JRVR's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | BOW | Beta 0.43 vs JRVR's 0.50 |
| Dividends | JRVR | 0.7% yield; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | JRVR | -5.7% vs BOW's -39.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BOW | 2.6% ROA vs JRVR's 0.7%, ROIC 20.5% vs 5.9% |
BOW vs JRVR — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
Segment breakdown not available.
FY 2025
BOW vs JRVR — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLBOWLAGGINGJRVR
JRVRJames River Group Hol…
1leads
BOWBowhead Specialty Hol…
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs JRVRMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
BOW6/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
JRVR5/5
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BOW6/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
BOW5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
BOW1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BOW leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
JRVR and BOW operate at a comparable scale, with $667M and $584M in trailing revenue. BOW is the more profitable business, keeping 10.0% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to JRVR's 4.3%. On growth, BOW holds the edge at +26.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | JRVRJames River Group… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $584M | $667M |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $75M | $25M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $58M | $29M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $342M | $29M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +34.4% | +27.4% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +3.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.0% | +4.3% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +58.6% | +4.4% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +26.1% | -12.1% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +41.2% | -2.8% |
BOW leads this category, winning 6 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
JRVR leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 5.7x trailing earnings, JRVR trades at a 63% valuation discount to BOW's 15.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, JRVR's 5.5x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than BOW's 8.4x.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | JRVRJames River Group… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $812M | $207M |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $578M | $276M |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.55x | 5.70x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.85x | 4.10x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.15x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.37x | 5.54x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.47x | 0.30x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.86x | 0.40x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.49x | — |
JRVR leads this category, winning 5 of 5 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BOW leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BOW delivers a 13.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $13 in annual profit, vs $5 for JRVR. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), JRVR scores 5/9 vs BOW's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | JRVRJames River Group… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.4% | +4.7% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.6% | +0.7% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +20.5% | +5.9% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.3% | +4.3% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.49x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$234M | $69M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $234M | $261M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $330M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 42.59x | 1.78x |
BOW leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
BOW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in BOW five years ago would be worth $10,387 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $1,757 for JRVR. Over the past 12 months, JRVR leads with a -5.7% total return vs BOW's -39.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BOW at 1.3% vs JRVR's -38.8% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | JRVRJames River Group… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -9.9% | -26.7% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -39.7% | -5.7% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | -77.1% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | -82.4% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | -56.9% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.3% | -38.8% |
BOW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BOW and JRVR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
BOW is the less volatile stock with a 0.43 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than JRVR's 0.50 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. JRVR currently trades 62.6% from its 52-week high vs BOW's 59.4% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | JRVRJames River Group… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.43x | 0.50x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $41.61 | $7.20 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.23 | $4.42 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +59.4% | +62.6% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.8 | 16.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 187K | 290K |
Evenly matched — BOW and JRVR each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
BOW leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BOW as "Buy" and JRVR as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 55.4% upside for JRVR (target: $7) vs 26.7% for BOW (target: $31). JRVR is the only dividend payer here at 0.74% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | JRVRJames River Group… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $31.33 | $7.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.7% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 0 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.03 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | 0.0% |
BOW leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
BOW leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Profitability & Efficiency). JRVR leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 1 tied.
Best OverallBowhead Specialty Holdings … (BOW)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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BOW vs JRVR: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BOW or JRVR a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) is the stronger pick with 29. 6% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -2. 8% for James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (JRVR). James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (JRVR) offers the better valuation at 5. 7x trailing P/E (4. 1x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. (BOW) a "Buy" — based on 7 analyst ratings — the highest consensus in this comparison. The "better buy" depends entirely on your goals: growth investors should weight revenue trajectory, value investors should weight P/E and PEG, and income investors should weight dividend yield and streak.
02Which has the better valuation — BOW or JRVR?
On trailing P/E, James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
(JRVR) is the cheapest at 5. 7x versus Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. at 15. 5x. On forward P/E, James River Group Holdings, Ltd. is actually cheaper at 4. 1x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BOW or JRVR?
Over the past 5 years, Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) delivered a total return of +3. 9%, compared to -82. 4% for James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (JRVR). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: BOW returned +3. 9% versus JRVR's -56. 9%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.
04Which is safer — BOW or JRVR?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 43β versus James River Group Holdings, Ltd. 's 0. 50β — meaning JRVR is approximately 16% more volatile than BOW relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — BOW or JRVR?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) is pulling ahead at 29. 6% versus -2. 8% for James River Group Holdings, Ltd. (JRVR). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: James River Group Holdings, Ltd. grew EPS 125. 8% year-over-year, compared to 23. 3% for Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, BOW leads at 43. 3% annualised revenue growth. Higher growth typically commands a higher valuation multiple — check whether the premium P/E or P/S is justified by the growth rate using the PEG ratio.
06Which has better profit margins — BOW or JRVR?
Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) is the more profitable company, earning 9. 8% net margin versus 6. 9% for James River Group Holdings, Ltd. — meaning it keeps 9. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: BOW leads at 12. 2% versus 7. 4% for JRVR. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — BOW leads at 32. 1%, reflecting greater pricing power or product mix advantage. Stronger margins indicate durable pricing power, lower cost of revenue, or higher mix of software/services. They are one of the clearest signs of business quality.
07Is BOW or JRVR more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
(JRVR) trades at 4. 1x forward P/E versus 12. 8x for Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. — 8. 7x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for JRVR: 55. 4% to $7. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — BOW or JRVR?
In this comparison, JRVR (0.
7% yield) pays a dividend. BOW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is BOW or JRVR better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, James River Group Holdings, Ltd.
(JRVR) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 50), 0. 7% yield). Both have compounded well over 10 years (JRVR: -56. 9%, BOW: +3. 9%), confirming both are viable long-term holds — but the lower-volatility option typically results in less emotional selling during corrections. Retirement portfolios generally favour predictability over maximum returns. Consult a financial advisor before making allocation decisions.
10What are the main differences between BOW and JRVR?
Both stocks operate in the Financial Services sector, making this a peer-level intra-sector comparison — the same macro tailwinds and headwinds will affect both.
In terms of investment character: BOW is a small-cap high-growth stock; JRVR is a small-cap deep-value stock. JRVR pays a dividend while BOW does not, making them suitable for different income and tax situations. These fundamental differences mean investors should not choose between them on a single metric — the "better stock" depends entirely on which of these characteristics aligns with your investment strategy.
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Revenue Growth>
%
(BOW: 26.1% · JRVR: -12.1%)Net Margin>
%
(BOW: 10.0% · JRVR: 4.3%)P/E Ratio<
x
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