Enact Holdings Inc

Enact Holdings reported second quarter results that beat Wall Street revenue and non-GAAP profit expectations, with revenue of $319.5 million versus estimates of $316.1 million and adjusted EPS of $1.26 versus $1.19. CEO Rohit Gupta credited strategy and technology investments for prudent risk targeting and improved efficiency, while CFO Dean Mitchell noted new insurance written grew 15% year over year. During the earnings call, analysts from Bank of America, KBW, and RBC Capital Markets questioned management on premium yield trajectory, credit trends, VantageScore rollout, and the updated capital return range. Mitchell said premium rates should remain relatively flat, delinquencies may rise slightly in the second half due to seasonality with possible moderation in 2027, and the higher capital return range reflects strong performance and excess capital. Enact Holdings trades at $49.12, up from $47.83 before earnings.

Enact Holdings has raised its 2026 capital return guidance to a range of $550 million to $600 million, up from a prior expectation of approximately $500 million. CEO Rohit Gupta cited strong first-half performance and disciplined execution as the basis for the increase, while CFO Hardin Mitchell noted the final amount and form of returns will depend on business performance, market conditions, and regulatory approvals. The company also lowered its full-year 2026 expense forecast, excluding reorganization costs, to $205 million to $210 million from a previous range of $215 million to $220 million. In the second quarter, Enact reported adjusted operating income of $177 million, or $1.26 per diluted share, with new insurance written of $15 billion and primary insurance in-force of $274 billion. Management highlighted the launch of ELLA, an internal generative AI underwriting tool, and cautioned that delinquency rates may rise in the second half due to seasonal factors and aging loan vintages.