AMBC
Ambac Financial Group, Inc.
Insurance - Specialty
Market Cap$269M
5Y Perf.-64.9%
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Stock Comparison
AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
MBI
MBIA Inc.
Insurance - Specialty
Market Cap$325M
5Y Perf.-44.3%
AGO
Assured Guaranty Ltd.
Insurance - Specialty
Market Cap$3.70B
5Y Perf.+44.3%
BAM
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.
Asset Management
Market Cap$81.87B
5Y Perf.+82.7%
AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | AMBC | MBI | AGO | BAM |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Specialty | Insurance - Specialty | Insurance - Specialty | Asset Management |
| Market Cap | $269M | $325M | $3.70B | $81.87B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $99M | $90M | $1.01B | $3.98B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $-780M | $-155M | $503M | $2.60B |
| Gross Margin | -17.0% | 16.7% | 92.9% | 71.0% |
| Operating Margin | -132.2% | -177.8% | 65.2% | 69.4% |
| Forward P/E | 92.0x | — | 12.4x | 26.4x |
| Total Debt | $150M | $2.84B | $1.70B | $219M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $47M | $69M | $388M | $12M |
AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
AMBC
MBI
AGO
BAM
| Stock | Dec 22 | Jan 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ambac Financial Gro… (AMBC) | 100 | 35.1 | -64.9% |
| MBIA Inc. (MBI) | 100 | 55.7 | -44.3% |
| Assured Guaranty Lt… (AGO) | 100 | 144.3 | +44.3% |
| Brookfield Asset Ma… (BAM) | 100 | 182.7 | +82.7% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: AGO leads in 3 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and capital preservation and lower volatility. MBIA Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and recent price momentum and sentiment. BAM also leads in specific categories worth noting. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
AMBC
Ambac Financial Group, Inc.
The Insurance Pick
AMBC is the clearest fit if your priority is sleep-well-at-night.
- Lower volatility, beta 0.78, Low D/E 12.5%, current ratio 4.37x
Best for: sleep-well-at-night
MBI
MBIA Inc.
The Insurance Pick
MBI is the #2 pick in this set and the best alternative if growth exposure is your priority.
- Rev growth 90.5%, EPS growth 61.9%, 3Y rev CAGR -19.6%
- 90.5% revenue growth vs AGO's -3.2%
- +37.7% vs AMBC's -24.3%
Best for: growth exposure
AGO
Assured Guaranty Ltd.
The Insurance Pick
AGO carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 16 yrs, beta 0.45, yield 1.7%
- 249.3% 10Y total return vs MBI's 197.3%
- Beta 0.45, yield 1.7%
- Lower P/E (12.4x vs 26.4x)
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
BAM
Brookfield Asset Management Ltd.
The Banking Pick
BAM is the clearest fit if your priority is quality and efficiency.
- 54.5% margin vs AMBC's -7.9%
- 15.8% ROA vs AMBC's -36.3%, ROIC 71.0% vs -1.5%
Best for: quality and efficiency
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | MBI | 90.5% revenue growth vs AGO's -3.2% |
| Value | AGO | Lower P/E (12.4x vs 26.4x) |
| Quality / Margins | BAM | 54.5% margin vs AMBC's -7.9% |
| Stability / Safety | AGO | Beta 0.45 vs BAM's 1.50 |
| Dividends | AGO | 1.7% yield, 16-year raise streak, vs BAM's 0.8%, (2 stocks pay no dividend) |
| Momentum (1Y) | MBI | +37.7% vs AMBC's -24.3% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | BAM | 15.8% ROA vs AMBC's -36.3%, ROIC 71.0% vs -1.5% |
AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2024
FY 2025
FY 2025
Segment breakdown not available.
AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 4 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLAGOLAGGINGAMBC
Who Leads Where
AGO leads in 2 of 6 categories
BAM leads 1 • MBI leads 1 • AMBC leads 0 • 2 tied
Explore the data ↓AMBCAmbac Financial Group…
0leads
BAMBrookfield Asset Mana…
1leads
MBIMBIA Inc.
1leads
AGOAssured Guaranty Ltd.
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs MBIvs BAMMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
Tied
—
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
BAM6/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
MBI4/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
AGO2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
AGO2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — MBI and AGO and BAM each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
BAM is the larger business by revenue, generating $4.0B annually — 44.2x MBI's $90M. BAM is the more profitable business, keeping 54.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to AMBC's -7.9%. On growth, MBI holds the edge at +71.4% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | AMBCAmbac Financial G… | MBIMBIA Inc. | AGOAssured Guaranty … | BAMBrookfield Asset … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $99M | $90M | $1.0B | $4.0B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | -$117M | -$13M | $751M | $3.0B |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | -$780M | -$155M | $503M | $2.6B |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | -$35M | $48M | $259M | $1.9B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | -17.0% | +16.7% | +92.9% | +71.0% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | -132.2% | -177.8% | +65.2% | +69.4% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | -7.9% | -172.2% | +49.6% | +54.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | -35.3% | +53.3% | +25.5% | +15.8% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -4.9% | +71.4% | +40.1% | — |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | -3.0% | +38.3% | +5.9% | +44.8% |
Evenly matched — MBI and AGO and BAM each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
Evenly matched — AMBC and MBI and AGO each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 4.3x trailing earnings, AMBC trades at a 89% valuation discount to BAM's 38.1x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, AGO's 6.7x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than MBI's 193.7x.
| Metric | AMBCAmbac Financial G… | MBIMBIA Inc. | AGOAssured Guaranty … | BAMBrookfield Asset … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $269M | $325M | $3.7B | $81.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $371M | $3.1B | $5.0B | $82.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 4.32x | -1.78x | 8.11x | 38.11x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 92.04x | — | 12.44x | 26.39x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | — | 0.42x | — |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | — | 193.72x | 6.68x | 29.57x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.14x | 4.07x | 4.70x | 20.57x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 0.24x | — | 0.70x | 24.98x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 352.45x | 8.56x | 14.29x | 130.58x |
Evenly matched — AMBC and MBI and AGO each lead in 2 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BAM leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
BAM delivers a 24.4% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $24 in annual profit, vs $-68 for AMBC. BAM carries lower financial leverage with a 0.07x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to AGO's 0.29x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), MBI scores 7/9 vs BAM's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | AMBCAmbac Financial G… | MBIMBIA Inc. | AGOAssured Guaranty … | BAMBrookfield Asset … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | -68.0% | — | +8.8% | +24.4% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | -36.3% | -7.6% | +4.2% | +15.8% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | -1.5% | -16.9% | +7.0% | +71.0% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | -0.7% | -9.4% | +5.5% | +103.0% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 6 | 7 | 5 | 4 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.13x | — | 0.29x | 0.07x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $103M | $2.8B | $1.3B | $207M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $47M | $69M | $388M | $12M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $150M | $2.8B | $1.7B | $219M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | -6.80x | 0.11x | 8.44x | 9.00x |
BAM leads this category, winning 6 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
MBI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in MBI five years ago would be worth $22,525 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $3,543 for AMBC. Over the past 12 months, MBI leads with a +37.7% total return vs AMBC's -24.3%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors MBI at 33.3% vs AMBC's -26.0% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | AMBCAmbac Financial G… | MBIMBIA Inc. | AGOAssured Guaranty … | BAMBrookfield Asset … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -17.9% | -7.7% | -6.6% | -7.8% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -24.3% | +37.7% | -4.3% | -9.3% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -59.4% | +136.7% | +63.5% | +62.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -64.6% | +125.3% | +81.6% | +68.2% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | -60.6% | +197.3% | +249.3% | +68.2% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | -26.0% | +33.3% | +17.8% | +17.5% |
MBI leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AGO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
AGO is the less volatile stock with a 0.45 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BAM's 1.50 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500. AGO currently trades 89.3% from its 52-week high vs AMBC's 59.1% drawdown — a narrower gap to the peak suggests stronger recent price momentum.
| Metric | AMBCAmbac Financial G… | MBIMBIA Inc. | AGOAssured Guaranty … | BAMBrookfield Asset … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.78x | 0.81x | 0.45x | 1.50x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $10.38 | $8.26 | $92.40 | $64.10 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $5.96 | $4.11 | $78.77 | $42.20 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +59.1% | +77.4% | +89.3% | +76.1% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 21.3 | 54.9 | 46.7 | 59.6 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 638K | 309K | 309K | 3.6M |
AGO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
AGO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Analyst consensus: AMBC as "Buy", MBI as "Buy", AGO as "Buy", BAM as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 128.4% upside for AMBC (target: $14) vs 13.9% for AGO (target: $94). For income investors, AGO offers the higher dividend yield at 1.67% vs BAM's 0.77%.
| Metric | AMBCAmbac Financial G… | MBIMBIA Inc. | AGOAssured Guaranty … | BAMBrookfield Asset … |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $14.00 | $14.00 | $94.00 | $61.83 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 6 | 6 | 9 | 20 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | — | +1.7% | +0.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 0 | 1 | 16 | 1 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | — | $1.38 | $0.38 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +4.4% | +2.2% | +13.5% | +0.0% |
AGO leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
AGO leads in 2 of 6 categories (Risk & Volatility, Analyst Outlook). BAM leads in 1 (Profitability & Efficiency). 2 tied.
Best OverallAssured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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AMBC vs MBI vs AGO vs BAM: Key Questions Answered
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM a better buy right now?
For growth investors, MBIA Inc.
(MBI) is the stronger pick with 90. 5% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 2% for Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO). Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (AMBC) offers the better valuation at 4. 3x trailing P/E (92. 0x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (AMBC) a "Buy" — based on 6 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 — AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM?
On trailing P/E, Ambac Financial Group, Inc.
(AMBC) is the cheapest at 4. 3x versus Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. at 38. 1x. On forward P/E, Assured Guaranty Ltd. is actually cheaper at 12. 4x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM?
Over the past 5 years, MBIA Inc.
(MBI) delivered a total return of +125. 3%, compared to -64. 6% for Ambac Financial Group, Inc. (AMBC). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: AGO returned +249. 3% versus AMBC's -60. 6%. 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 — AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Assured Guaranty Ltd.
(AGO) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 45β versus Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. 's 1. 50β — meaning BAM is approximately 236% more volatile than AGO relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Brookfield Asset Management Ltd. (BAM) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 7% versus 29% for Assured Guaranty Ltd. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), MBIA Inc.
(MBI) is pulling ahead at 90. 5% versus -3. 2% for Assured Guaranty Ltd. (AGO). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: MBIA Inc. grew EPS 61. 9% year-over-year, compared to -60. 5% for Ambac Financial Group, Inc.. Over a 3-year CAGR, AGO leads at 4. 8% 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 — AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM?
Assured Guaranty Ltd.
(AGO) is the more profitable company, earning 63. 8% net margin versus -236. 0% for Ambac Financial Group, Inc. — meaning it keeps 63. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: AGO leads at 84. 0% versus -226. 3% for MBI. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — AGO leads at 92. 9%, 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 AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Assured Guaranty Ltd.
(AGO) trades at 12. 4x forward P/E versus 92. 0x for Ambac Financial Group, Inc. — 79. 6x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for AMBC: 128. 4% to $14. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM?
In this comparison, AGO (1.
7% yield), BAM (0. 8% yield) pay a dividend. AMBC, MBI do not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is AMBC or MBI or AGO or BAM better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Assured Guaranty Ltd.
(AGO) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 45), 1. 7% yield, +249. 3% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (AGO: +249. 3%, BAM: +68. 2%), 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 AMBC and MBI and AGO and BAM?
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: AMBC is a small-cap high-growth stock; MBI is a small-cap high-growth stock; AGO is a small-cap deep-value stock; BAM is a mid-cap quality compounder stock. AGO, BAM pay a dividend while AMBC, MBI do 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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