STC
Stewart Information Services Corporation
Insurance - Property & Casualty
Market Cap$2.09B
5Y Perf.+122.6%
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Stock Comparison
STC vs ESNT
Revenue, margins, valuation, and 5-year total return — side by side.
ESNT
Essent Group Ltd.
Insurance - Specialty
Market Cap$5.87B
5Y Perf.+82.1%
STC vs ESNT — Key Financials
Market cap, revenue, margins, and valuation side-by-side.
| Company Snapshot | STC | ESNT |
|---|---|---|
| Industry | Insurance - Property & Casualty | Insurance - Specialty |
| Market Cap | $2.09B | $5.87B |
| Revenue (TTM) | $2.92B | $1.31B |
| Net Income (TTM) | $116M | $703M |
| Gross Margin | 87.7% | 89.7% |
| Operating Margin | 5.7% | 63.6% |
| Forward P/E | 11.3x | 8.5x |
| Total Debt | $891M | $494M |
| Cash & Equiv. | $322M | $131M |
STC vs ESNT — Long-Term Stock Performance
Price return indexed to 100 at period start. Dividends excluded.
STC
ESNT
| Stock | May 20 | May 26 | Return |
|---|---|---|---|
| Stewart Information… (STC) | 100 | 222.6 | +122.6% |
| Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT) | 100 | 182.1 | +82.1% |
Price return only. Dividends and distributions are not included.
Quick Verdict: STC vs ESNT
Each card shows where this stock fits in a portfolio — not just who wins on paper.
Bottom line: ESNT leads in 4 of 7 categories, making it the strongest pick for valuation and capital efficiency and profitability and margin quality. Stewart Information Services Corporation is the stronger pick specifically for growth and revenue expansion and dividend income and shareholder returns. As sector peers, any of these can serve as alternatives in the same allocation.
STC
Stewart Information Services Corporation
The Insurance Pick
STC is the clearest fit if your priority is income & stability and growth exposure.
- Dividend streak 15 yrs, beta 0.78, yield 2.9%
- Rev growth 17.3%, EPS growth 54.8%, 3Y rev CAGR -1.6%
- 17.3% revenue growth vs ESNT's 12.0%
Best for: income & stability and growth exposure
ESNT
Essent Group Ltd.
The Insurance Pick
ESNT carries the broadest edge in this set and is the clearest fit for long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night.
- 216.5% 10Y total return vs STC's 135.9%
- Lower volatility, beta 0.38, Low D/E 8.8%
- Beta 0.38, yield 1.8%
Best for: long-term compounding and sleep-well-at-night
See the full category breakdown
| Category | Winner | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Growth | STC | 17.3% revenue growth vs ESNT's 12.0% |
| Value | ESNT | Lower P/E (8.5x vs 11.3x) |
| Quality / Margins | ESNT | Combined ratio 0.3 vs STC's 0.9 (lower = better underwriting) |
| Stability / Safety | ESNT | Beta 0.38 vs STC's 0.78, lower leverage |
| Dividends | STC | 2.9% yield, 15-year raise streak, vs ESNT's 1.8% |
| Momentum (1Y) | STC | +7.6% vs ESNT's +5.1% |
| Efficiency (ROA) | ESNT | 9.6% ROA vs STC's 4.0%, ROIC 11.3% vs 6.2% |
STC vs ESNT — Revenue Breakdown by Segment
How each company's revenue is distributed across its business units
FY 2025
FY 2024
STC vs ESNT — Financial Metrics
Side-by-side numbers across 2 stocks — who leads on profitability, valuation, growth, and risk.
BEST OVERALLESNTLAGGINGSTC
STCStewart Information S…
2leads
ESNTEssent Group Ltd.
4leads
6 Total Categories
CATEGORYLEADERvs STCMETRICS WON
Income & Cash FlowRevenue, margins, and cash flow strength
ESNT4/6
Valuation MetricsMultiples, price ratios, and targets
ESNT5/6
Profitability & EfficiencyROE, ROIC, leverage, and quality scores
ESNT9/9
Total Returns1Y, 3Y, 5Y total returns with dividends
STC5/6
Risk & VolatilityBeta, volatility, and downside exposure
ESNT2/2
Analyst OutlookRatings, price targets, and dividends
STC2/2
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
ESNT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Income & Cash Flow (Last 12 Months)
STC is the larger business by revenue, generating $2.9B annually — 2.2x ESNT's $1.3B. ESNT is the more profitable business, keeping 53.7% of every revenue dollar as net income compared to STC's 4.0%. On growth, STC holds the edge at +18.7% YoY revenue growth, suggesting stronger near-term business momentum.
| Metric | STCStewart Informati… | ESNTEssent Group Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| RevenueTrailing 12 months | $2.9B | $1.3B |
| EBITDAEarnings before interest/tax | $227M | $838M |
| Net IncomeAfter-tax profit | $116M | $703M |
| Free Cash FlowCash after capex | $132M | $837M |
| Gross MarginGross profit ÷ Revenue | +87.7% | +89.7% |
| Operating MarginEBIT ÷ Revenue | +5.7% | +63.6% |
| Net MarginNet income ÷ Revenue | +4.0% | +53.7% |
| FCF MarginFCF ÷ Revenue | +4.5% | +64.0% |
| Rev. Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +18.7% | +0.7% |
| EPS Growth (YoY)Latest quarter vs prior year | +56.3% | +1.2% |
ESNT leads this category, winning 4 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
ESNT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Valuation Metrics
At 8.8x trailing earnings, ESNT trades at a 48% valuation discount to STC's 17.0x P/E. On an enterprise value basis, ESNT's 7.2x EV/EBITDA is more attractive than STC's 11.7x.
| Metric | STCStewart Informati… | ESNTEssent Group Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Market CapShares × price | $2.1B | $5.9B |
| Enterprise ValueMkt cap + debt − cash | $2.7B | $6.2B |
| Trailing P/EPrice ÷ TTM EPS | 16.98x | 8.78x |
| Forward P/EPrice ÷ next-FY EPS est. | 11.30x | 8.48x |
| PEG RatioP/E ÷ EPS growth rate | — | 2.26x |
| EV / EBITDAEnterprise value multiple | 11.75x | 7.23x |
| Price / SalesMarket cap ÷ Revenue | 0.72x | 4.63x |
| Price / BookPrice ÷ Book value/share | 1.21x | 1.14x |
| Price / FCFMarket cap ÷ FCF | 15.82x | 6.86x |
ESNT leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ESNT leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Profitability & Efficiency
ESNT delivers a 12.2% return on equity — every $100 of shareholder capital generates $12 in annual profit, vs $8 for STC. ESNT carries lower financial leverage with a 0.09x debt-to-equity ratio, signaling a more conservative balance sheet compared to STC's 0.54x. On the Piotroski fundamental quality scale (0–9), ESNT scores 5/9 vs STC's 4/9, reflecting solid financial health.
| Metric | STCStewart Informati… | ESNTEssent Group Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM)Return on equity | +7.7% | +12.2% |
| ROA (TTM)Return on assets | +4.0% | +9.6% |
| ROICReturn on invested capital | +6.2% | +11.3% |
| ROCEReturn on capital employed | +5.5% | +12.6% |
| Piotroski ScoreFundamental quality 0–9 | 4 | 5 |
| Debt / EquityFinancial leverage | 0.54x | 0.09x |
| Net DebtTotal debt minus cash | $569M | $362M |
| Cash & Equiv.Liquid assets | $322M | $131M |
| Total DebtShort + long-term debt | $891M | $494M |
| Interest CoverageEBIT ÷ Interest expense | 8.82x | 26.45x |
ESNT leads this category, winning 9 of 9 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
STC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Total Returns (Dividends Reinvested)
A $10,000 investment in STC five years ago would be worth $12,874 today (with dividends reinvested), compared to $12,554 for ESNT. Over the past 12 months, STC leads with a +7.6% total return vs ESNT's +5.1%. The 3-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) favors STC at 21.0% vs ESNT's 14.3% — a key indicator of consistent wealth creation.
| Metric | STCStewart Informati… | ESNTEssent Group Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| YTD ReturnYear-to-date | -1.2% | -6.4% |
| 1-Year ReturnPast 12 months | +7.6% | +5.1% |
| 3-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +77.3% | +49.3% |
| 5-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +28.7% | +25.5% |
| 10-Year ReturnCumulative with dividends | +135.9% | +216.5% |
| CAGR (3Y)Annualised 3-year return | +21.0% | +14.3% |
STC leads this category, winning 5 of 6 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ESNT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Risk & Volatility
ESNT is the less volatile stock with a 0.38 beta — it tends to amplify market swings less than STC's 0.78 beta. A beta below 1.0 means the stock typically moves less than the S&P 500.
| Metric | STCStewart Informati… | ESNTEssent Group Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Beta (5Y)Sensitivity to S&P 500 | 0.78x | 0.38x |
| 52-Week HighHighest price in past year | $78.61 | $67.09 |
| 52-Week LowLowest price in past year | $56.39 | $55.22 |
| % of 52W HighCurrent price vs 52-week peak | +87.3% | +89.7% |
| RSI (14)Momentum oscillator 0–100 | 54.6 | 42.9 |
| Avg Volume (50D)Average daily shares traded | 203K | 635K |
ESNT leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
STC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Analyst Outlook
Wall Street rates STC as "Buy" and ESNT as "Buy". Consensus price targets imply 17.3% upside for STC (target: $81) vs 15.2% for ESNT (target: $69). For income investors, STC offers the higher dividend yield at 2.94% vs ESNT's 1.84%.
| Metric | STCStewart Informati… | ESNTEssent Group Ltd. |
|---|---|---|
| Analyst RatingConsensus buy/hold/sell | Buy | Buy |
| Price TargetConsensus 12-month target | $80.50 | $69.33 |
| # AnalystsCovering analysts | 8 | 19 |
| Dividend YieldAnnual dividend ÷ price | +2.9% | +1.8% |
| Dividend StreakConsecutive years of raises | 15 | 6 |
| Dividend / ShareAnnual DPS | $2.01 | $1.11 |
| Buyback YieldShare repurchases ÷ mkt cap | +0.2% | +1.9% |
STC leads this category, winning 2 of 2 comparable metrics.
Key Takeaway
ESNT leads in 4 of 6 categories (Income & Cash Flow, Valuation Metrics). STC leads in 2 (Total Returns, Analyst Outlook).
Best OverallEssent Group Ltd. (ESNT)Leads 4 of 6 categories
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STC vs ESNT: Frequently Asked Questions
10 questions · data-driven answers · updated daily
01Is STC or ESNT a better buy right now?
For growth investors, Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC) is the stronger pick with 17.
3% revenue growth year-over-year, versus 12. 0% for Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT). Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT) offers the better valuation at 8. 8x trailing P/E (8. 5x forward), making it the more compelling value choice. Analysts rate Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC) a "Buy" — based on 8 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 — STC or ESNT?
On trailing P/E, Essent Group Ltd.
(ESNT) is the cheapest at 8. 8x versus Stewart Information Services Corporation at 17. 0x. On forward P/E, Essent Group Ltd. is actually cheaper at 8. 5x.
03Which is the better long-term investment — STC or ESNT?
Over the past 5 years, Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC) delivered a total return of +28.
7%, compared to +25. 5% for Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT). Over 10 years, the gap is even starker: ESNT returned +216. 5% versus STC's +135. 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 — STC or ESNT?
By beta (market sensitivity over 5 years), Essent Group Ltd.
(ESNT) is the lower-risk stock at 0. 38β versus Stewart Information Services Corporation's 0. 78β — meaning STC is approximately 106% more volatile than ESNT relative to the S&P 500. On balance sheet safety, Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT) carries a lower debt/equity ratio of 9% versus 54% for Stewart Information Services Corporation — giving it more financial flexibility in a downturn.
05Which is growing faster — STC or ESNT?
By revenue growth (latest reported year), Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC) is pulling ahead at 17.
3% versus 12. 0% for Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT). On earnings-per-share growth, the picture is similar: Stewart Information Services Corporation grew EPS 54. 8% year-over-year, compared to 5. 4% for Essent Group Ltd.. Over a 3-year CAGR, ESNT leads at 7. 2% 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 — STC or ESNT?
Essent Group Ltd.
(ESNT) is the more profitable company, earning 57. 6% net margin versus 4. 0% for Stewart Information Services Corporation — meaning it keeps 57. 6% of every revenue dollar as bottom-line profit. Operating margin tells a similar story: ESNT leads at 67. 5% versus 5. 7% for STC. At the gross margin level — before operating expenses — ESNT leads at 93. 6%, 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 STC or ESNT more undervalued right now?
On forward earnings alone, Essent Group Ltd.
(ESNT) trades at 8. 5x forward P/E versus 11. 3x for Stewart Information Services Corporation — 2. 8x cheaper on a one-year earnings basis. Analyst consensus price targets imply the most upside for STC: 17. 3% to $80. 50.
08Which pays a better dividend — STC or ESNT?
All stocks in this comparison pay dividends.
Stewart Information Services Corporation (STC) offers the highest yield at 2. 9%, versus 1. 8% for Essent Group Ltd. (ESNT).
09Is STC or ESNT better for a retirement portfolio?
For long-horizon retirement investors, Essent Group Ltd.
(ESNT) is the stronger choice — it scores higher on the combination of lower volatility, dividend reliability, and long-term compounding (low volatility (β 0. 38), 1. 8% yield, +216. 5% 10Y return). Both have compounded well over 10 years (ESNT: +216. 5%, STC: +135. 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 STC and ESNT?
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: STC is a small-cap high-growth stock; ESNT is a small-cap deep-value stock. 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>
%
(STC: 18.7% · ESNT: 0.7%)Net Margin>
%
(STC: 4.0% · ESNT: 53.7%)P/E Ratio<
x
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