BOW
Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
Insurance - Property & Casualty
Market Cap$812M
5Y Perf.-7.8%
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Stock Comparison
BOW vs KNSL
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
KNSL
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
Insurance - Property & Casualty
Market Cap$7.03B
5Y Perf.-20.9%
BOW vs KNSL — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | BOW | KNSL |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Property & Casualty | Insurance - Property & Casualty |
| Market Cap | $812M | $7.03B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $584M | $1.92B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $58M | $527M |
| Gross Margin | 34.4% | 36.9% |
| Operating Margin | 12.6% | 27.2% |
| Forward P/E | 12.8x | 14.7x |
| Total Debt | $0.00 | $224M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $234M | $163M |
BOW vs KNSL — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
BOW
KNSL
| Stock | May 24 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Bowhead Specialty H… (BOW) | 100 | 92.2 | -7.8% |
| Kinsale Capital Gro… (KNSL) | 100 | 79.1 | -20.9% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: BOW vs KNSL
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: KNSL leads in 5 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for profitability and margin quality and capital preservation and lower volatility. Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and valuation and capital efficiency. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
BOW
Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
The Insurance Pick
BOW is the clearest fit if your priority is growth exposure.
- Rev growth 29.6%, EPS growth 23.3%, 3Y rev CAGR 43.3%
- 29.6% revenue growth vs KNSL's 18.0%
- Lower P/E (12.8x vs 14.7x)
Best for: growth exposure
KNSL
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
The Insurance Pick
KNSL carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for income & stability and long-term compounding.
- Dividend streak 10 yrs, beta 0.29, yield 0.2%
- 15.8% 10Y total return vs BOW's 3.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.29, Low D/E 11.5%, current ratio 0.35x
Best for: income & stability and long-term compounding
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | BOW | 29.6% revenue growth vs KNSL's 18.0% |
| Value | BOW | Lower P/E (12.8x vs 14.7x) |
| Quality / Margins | KNSL | Combined ratio 0.7 vs BOW's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | KNSL | Beta 0.29 vs BOW's 0.43 |
| Dividends | KNSL | 0.2% yield; 10-year raise streak; the other pay no meaningful dividend |
| Momentum (1Y) | KNSL | -33.6% vs BOW's -39.7% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | KNSL | 9.1% ROA vs BOW's 2.6%, ROIC 26.6% vs 20.5% |
BOW vs KNSL — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLKNSLLAGGINGBOW
BOWBowhead Specialty Hol…
1leads
KNSLKinsale Capital Group…
2leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs BOWMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
Tied
—
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
BOW5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
KNSL6/8
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
Tied
—
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
Tied
—
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
KNSL1/1
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
Evenly matched — BOW and KNSL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
KNSL is the larger business by revenue, generating $1.9B annually — 3.3x BOW's $584M. KNSL is the more profitable business, keeping 27.5% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to BOW's 10.0%. On growth, BOW holds the edge at +26.1% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | KNSLKinsale Capital G… |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $584M | $1.9B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $75M | $533M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $58M | $527M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $342M | $1.0B |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +34.4% | +36.9% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +12.6% | +27.2% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +10.0% | +27.5% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +58.6% | +52.9% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +26.1% | +10.2% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +41.2% | -100.0% |
Evenly matched — BOW and KNSL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
BOW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 14.0x trailing earnings, KNSL trades at a 10% valuation discount to BOW's 15.5x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, BOW's 8.4x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than KNSL's 11.1x.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | KNSLKinsale Capital G… |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $812M | $7.0B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $578M | $7.1B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 15.55x | 14.02x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 12.85x | 14.71x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 0.34x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 8.37x | 11.08x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 1.47x | 3.75x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.86x | 3.60x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 2.49x | 7.10x |
BOW leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KNSL leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
KNSL delivers a 28.0% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $28 in annual profit, vs $13 for BOW. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), KNSL scores 7/9 vs BOW's 4/9, reflecting strong financial health.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | KNSLKinsale Capital G… |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +13.4% | +28.0% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +2.6% | +9.1% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +20.5% | +26.6% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +3.3% | +14.2% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 7 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | — | 0.11x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | -$234M | $61M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $234M | $163M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $0 | $224M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 42.59x | 47.02x |
KNSL leads this category, winning 6 of 8 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
Evenly matched — BOW and KNSL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in KNSL five years ago would be worth $18,174 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $10,387 for BOW. Over the past 12 months, KNSL leads with a -33.6% total return vs BOW's -39.7%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors BOW at 1.3% vs KNSL's -2.9% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | KNSLKinsale Capital G… |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -9.9% | -22.6% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | -39.7% | -33.6% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | -8.4% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | +81.7% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +3.9% | +1578.1% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +1.3% | -2.9% |
Evenly matched — BOW and KNSL each lead in 3 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
Evenly matched — BOW and KNSL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
KNSL is the less volatile stock with a 0.29 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than BOW's 0.43 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | KNSLKinsale Capital G… |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.43x | 0.29x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $41.61 | $512.76 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $21.23 | $300.23 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +59.4% | +59.2% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 59.8 | 26.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 187K | 252K |
Evenly matched — BOW and KNSL each lead in 1 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
KNSL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates BOW as "Buy" and KNSL as "Hold". Consensus price targets imply 42.6% upside for KNSL (target: $433) vs 26.7% for BOW (target: $31). KNSL is the only dividend payer here at 0.22% yield — a key consideration for income-focused portfolios.
| Metric | BOWBowhead Specialty… | KNSLKinsale Capital G… |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Hold |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $31.33 | $433.00 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 7 | 13 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | — | +0.2% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 1 | 10 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | — | $0.68 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | 0.0% | +1.3% |
KNSL leads this category, winning 1 of 1 comparable metric.
Key Takeaway
KNSL leads in 2 of 6 categories (Profitability & Efficiency, Analyst Outlook). BOW leads in 1 (Valuation Metrics). 3 tied.
Best OverallKinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL)Leads 2 of 6 categories
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BOW vs KNSL: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is BOW or KNSL 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 18. 0% for Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL). Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL) offers the better valuation at 14. 0x trailing P/E (14. 7x 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 KNSL?
On trailing P/E, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
(KNSL) is the cheapest at 14. 0x versus Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. at 15. 5x. On forward P/E, Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. is actually cheaper at 12. 8x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth.
03Which is the better long-term investment — BOW or KNSL?
Over the past 5 years, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
(KNSL) delivered a total return of +81. 7%, compared to +3. 9% for Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. (BOW). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: KNSL returned +1578% versus BOW's +3. 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 KNSL?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
(KNSL) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 29β versus Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. 's 0. 43β — meaning BOW is approximately 51% more volatile than KNSL relative to the S&P 500.
05Which is growing faster — BOW or KNSL?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) is pulling ahead at 29. 6% versus 18. 0% for Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. (KNSL). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. grew EPS 23. 3% year-over-year, compared to 21. 8% for Kinsale Capital Group, 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 KNSL?
Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
(KNSL) is the more profitable company, earning 26. 9% net margin versus 9. 8% for Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. — meaning it keeps 26. 9% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: KNSL leads at 33. 8% versus 12. 2% for BOW. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — KNSL leads at 52. 5%, 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 KNSL more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc.
(BOW) trades at 12. 8x forward P/E versus 14. 7x for Kinsale Capital Group, Inc. — 1. 9x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for KNSL: 42. 6% to $433. 00.
08Which pays a better dividend — BOW or KNSL?
In this comparison, KNSL (0.
2% yield) pays a dividend. BOW does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.
09Is BOW or KNSL better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.
(KNSL) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 29), +1578% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (KNSL: +1578%, 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 KNSL?
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.
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% · KNSL: 10.2%)Net Margin>
%
(BOW: 10.0% · KNSL: 27.5%)P/E Ratio<
x
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