CBZ vs ESNT vs MTG vs RDN

For growth investors, CBIZ, Inc.

(CBZ) is the stronger pick with 52. 1% revenue growth year-over-year, versus -3. 4% for Radian Group Inc. (RDN). MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) offers the better valuation at 8. 5x trailing P/E (8. 6x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ) a "Buy" — based on 2 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.

On trailing P/E, MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) is the cheapest at 8.

5x versus CBIZ, Inc. at 17. 3x. On forward P/E, Radian Group Inc. is actually cheaper at 7. 6x — notably different from the trailing picture, reflecting expected earnings growth. The PEG ratio (P/E divided by earnings growth rate) is the most growth-adjusted single valuation metric: MGIC Investment Corporation wins at 0. 44x versus Essent Group Ltd. 's 2. 23x — a PEG below 1. 0 traditionally signals the market is underpricing earnings growth.

Over the past 5 years, MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) delivered a total return of +101.

0%, compared to -9. 4% for CBIZ, Inc. (CBZ). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: MTG returned +333. 0% versus CBZ's +210. 4%. Past returns do not guarantee future results, and the stock with the higher historical return may already have its best growth priced in.

By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Radian Group Inc.

(RDN) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 37β versus CBIZ, Inc. 's 0. 65β — meaning CBZ is approximately 75% more volatile than RDN relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 104% for CBIZ, Inc. — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.

By revenue growth (latest reported year), CBIZ, Inc.

(CBZ) is pulling ahead at 52. 1% versus -3. 4% for Radian Group Inc. (RDN). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: CBIZ, Inc. grew EPS 134. 6% year-over-year, compared to 5. 4% for Essent Group Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, CBZ leads at 25. 0% 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.

MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) is the more profitable company, earning 60.

8% net margin versus 4. 2% for CBIZ, Inc. — meaning it keeps 60. 8% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: MTG leads at 76. 5% versus 8. 5% for CBZ. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — MTG leads at 94. 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.

The PEG ratio (forward P/E divided by expected earnings growth rate) is the most precise measure of undervaluation relative to growth potential.

By this metric, MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) is the more undervalued stock at a PEG of 0. 44x versus Essent Group Ltd. 's 2. 23x. A PEG below 1. 0 is traditionally considered the threshold for growth-adjusted undervaluation. On forward earnings alone, Radian Group Inc. (RDN) trades at 7. 6x forward P/E versus 8. 7x for Essent Group Ltd. — 1. 0x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for CBZ: 24. 9% to $39. 50.

In this comparison, RDN (2.

8% yield), MTG (2. 2% yield), ESNT (1. 8% yield) pay a dividend. CBZ does not pay a meaningful dividend and should not be held primarily for income.

For long-horizon retirement investors, MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0.

43), 2. 2% yield, +333. 0% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (MTG: +333. 0%, CBZ: +210. 4%), 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.

These companies operate in different sectors (CBZ (Industrials) and ESNT (Financial Services) and MTG (Financial Services) and RDN (Financial Services)), which means they face different economic cycles, regulatory environments, and macro sensitivities — making direct comparison nuanced.

In terms of investment character: CBZ is a small-cap high-growth stock; ESNT is a small-cap deep-value stock; MTG is a small-cap deep-value stock; RDN is a small-cap deep-value stock. ESNT, MTG, RDN pay a dividend while CBZ 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.