MGIC Investment Corporation (NYSE:MTG) reported third-quarter 2019 operating net income per share of 48 cents, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.4% but remained flat year over year.
Insurance in force increased largely driven by favorable persistency and the addition of $19.1 billion of high-quality new insurance writings.
The company witnessed lower delinquency attributable to a favorable operating environment, driven by better employment, wage growth and higher housing demand.
MGIC Investment Corporation Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Operational Update
MGIC Investment recorded total operating revenues of $318.4 million, which increased 9.6% year over year on higher net investment income (up 17.4%) and net premiums earned (up 7%).
Net premiums earned reflect increase in average insurance in force and an increase in premiums from single premium policy cancellations, partially offset by the effect of lower premium rates.
Insurance in force was $218.1 billion as of Sep 30, 2019, up 6% year over year.
Persistency, the percentage of insurance remaining in force from one year prior, was 78.6% as of Sep 30, 2019, down 240 basis points (bps) year over year.
New insurance written was $19.1 billion, up 31.7% year over year.
Net paid claims amounted to $55 million, down 36.8% year over year.
Net underwriting and other expenses totaled $48.3 million, up 3.2% year over year. Total loss and expenses surged 62.7% due to higher losses, underwriting and other expenses incurred.
In the quarter under review, loss ratio was 12.7% compared with (0.6%) in the year-ago quarter. Underwriting expense ratio of 17.7% deteriorated 10 bps year over year.
Financial Update
Book value per share, a measure of net worth, grew 23.7% year over year to $11.93 as of Sep 30, 2019.
MGIC Investment had $308 million in cash and investments, up 18% year over year.
Total assets were $6.1 billion, up 7% year over year.
Risk-to-capital ratio was 9.9:1 as of Sep 30, 2019 compared with 9.0:1 as of Sep 30, 2018.
The company paid out $70 million in dividend to the holding company. Also, the company repurchased shares worth $70 million.
Zacks Rank
MGIC Investment currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks.
Other Insurance Releases
Of the insurance industry players that have reported third-quarter results so far, The Progressive Corporation (NYSE:PGR) and RLI Corp. (NYSE:RLI) beat the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings. However, The Travelers Companies, Inc. (NYSE:TRV) missed the same.
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MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Travelers Companies, Inc. (TRV): Free Stock Analysis Report
The Progressive Corporation (PGR): Free Stock Analysis Report
RLI Corp. (RLI): Free Stock Analysis Report
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