Essent Reports Q1 2024 Results & Dividend
Essent Group Ltd. reported net income for the quarter ended March 31, 2024 of $181.7 million or $1.70 per diluted share, compared to $170.8 million or $1.59 per diluted share for the quarter ended March 31, 2023.
Essent also announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.28 per common share. The dividend is payable on June 10, 2024, to shareholders of record on May 31, 2024.
“We are pleased with our financial results in the first quarter, as our high-quality portfolio and consumer resilience have translated to favorable credit performance, and the current rate environment has benefited investment income and persistency,” said Mark A. Casale, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer. “The Essent franchise continues to grow, propelled by the strong performance of our mortgage insurance and reinsurance operations, and integration of the title business.”
Financial Highlights:
The spokesperson said, “New insurance written for the first quarter of 2024 was $8.3 billion, compared to $8.8 billion in the fourth quarter of 2023 and $12.9 billion in the first quarter of 2023.
“Insurance in force as of March 31, 2024 was $238.5 billion, compared to $239.1 billion as of December 31, 2023 and $231.5 billion as of March 31, 2023.
“Net investment income for the first quarter of 2024 was $52.1 million, up 20% from the first quarter of 2023.
During the first quarter of 2024, we entered into a quota share reinsurance transaction with a panel of highly rated third-party reinsurers. The quota share agreement covers 15% of all eligible policies written by Essent Guaranty, Inc. in the calendar year 2024.
“On January 8, 2024, S&P Global Ratings raised its long-term financial strength and issuer credit ratings on Essent Guaranty, Inc. and Essent Reinsurance Ltd. to ‘A-’ from ‘BBB+’, with a stable outlook.
“On March 27, 2024, Moody’s Ratings affirmed the A3 insurance financial strength rating of Essent Guaranty, Inc. and raised the outlook to positive from stable.”