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Enact Holdings, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 5 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 1 raised. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • New insurance written grew 15%: NIW was $15 billion, up 15% year-over-year from $13 billion in Q2 2025. Comprised 96% monthly premium policies and 87% purchase originations. Source
  • Persistency declined to 80%: Persistency remained at 80%, flat sequentially but down from 82% in Q2 2025. Approximately 12% of mortgages in portfolio had rates at least 50 basis points above the 6.5% average June rate. Source
  • Expense ratio improved year-over-year: Operating expense ratio was 21% in Q2 2026, down from 22% in Q2 2025. Operating expenses were $52 million, including approximately $1 million of reorganization costs. Source
  • PMIERs sufficiency at 161%: PMIERs sufficiency was 161%, or $1.9 billion above regulatory requirements in Q2 2026. This declined modestly from 162% in Q1 2026 and 165% in Q2 2025. Source
  • Capital return guidance raised to $550-600M: Company increased full-year 2026 capital return guidance to $550 million to $600 million from prior $500 million authorization. Final amount and form depend on business performance, market conditions, and regulatory approvals. Source
  • Share repurchases $93 million: Repurchased 2.2 million shares at average price of $42.58 for $93 million in Q2 2026. Additionally repurchased 0.7 million shares through July 31 at $45.93 for $30 million. $345 million remains of $500 million authorization. Source

“Enact delivered another strong quarter supported by consistent execution, resilient credit performance and operating discipline.”

Rohit Gupta, President and CEO

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Capital returns SourceFull year 2026$550 million to $600 millionRaised from $500 million repurchase authorization

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance raised: Capital return guidance increased from prior $500 million repurchase authorization to $550-600 million range for full year 2026. Source

Earnings and Profitability

  • Return on equity remained stable: Annualized return on equity was 13.0% in Q2 2026, flat versus Q2 2025, with adjusted operating ROE of 13.2% versus 13.4% in Q2 2025. Source

Premium Growth and Volume

  • New insurance written grew 15%: NIW was $15 billion, up 15% year-over-year from $13 billion in Q2 2025. Comprised 96% monthly premium policies and 87% purchase originations. Source
  • Primary insurance in-force up 2%: Primary insurance in-force was $274 billion, up 2% year-over-year from $270 billion in Q2 2025 and up 1% sequentially from $272 billion in Q1 2026. Source
  • Persistency declined to 80%: Persistency remained at 80%, flat sequentially but down from 82% in Q2 2025. Approximately 12% of mortgages in portfolio had rates at least 50 basis points above the 6.5% average June rate. Source

“We continued to successfully navigate and prudently grow in a volatile environment while also investing in our strategic priorities and returning substantial capital to our shareholders.”

Rohit Gupta, President and CEO

Underwriting and Loss Performance

  • Reserve release indicates adequacy: Net reserve release of $37 million in Q2 indicates appropriate loss reserve positioning. This compares to releases of $39 million in Q1 and $48 million in Q2 2025. Source

Operating Expenses and Efficiency

  • Expense ratio improved year-over-year: Operating expense ratio was 21% in Q2 2026, down from 22% in Q2 2025. Operating expenses were $52 million, including approximately $1 million of reorganization costs. Source
  • Reorganization costs impacting quarter: Sequential expense increase was partially driven by approximately $1 million of one-time reorganization costs incurred during the quarter. Source

“With a strong balance sheet, differentiated capabilities and a clear strategy, we remain well positioned to create sustainable long-term value while helping more people responsibly achieve and sustain homeownership.”

Rohit Gupta, President and CEO

Investment Income and Portfolio

  • Net investment income increased: Net investment income was $73 million in Q2 2026, up from $66 million in Q2 2025. Higher portfolio book yield and higher average invested assets drove the growth. Source

Capital Position and Returns

  • PMIERs sufficiency at 161%: PMIERs sufficiency was 161%, or $1.9 billion above regulatory requirements in Q2 2026. This declined modestly from 162% in Q1 2026 and 165% in Q2 2025. Source
  • Book value per share increased: Book value per share was $39.06 in Q2 2026, up from $35.20 in Q2 2025. Excluding accumulated other comprehensive income, book value per share was $39.66. Source
  • Capital return guidance raised to $550-600M: Company increased full-year 2026 capital return guidance to $550 million to $600 million from prior $500 million authorization. Final amount and form depend on business performance, market conditions, and regulatory approvals. Source
  • Share repurchases $93 million: Repurchased 2.2 million shares at average price of $42.58 for $93 million in Q2 2026. Additionally repurchased 0.7 million shares through July 31 at $45.93 for $30 million. $345 million remains of $500 million authorization. Source
  • Dividend paid and declared: Paid quarterly dividend of $34 million or $0.24 per share in Q2 2026. Board declared $0.24 dividend per share payable September 17, 2026. Source

Coming up, as management said on 5 August 2026

  • Dividend payment scheduled: Quarterly dividend of $0.24 per share payable September 17, 2026 to shareholders of record on August 20, 2026. Source
  • Capital return execution pending approvals: Total 2026 capital return of $550-600 million to be executed, with final amount and form depending on business performance, market conditions, and regulatory approvals. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Loss Ratio Source14%
Expense Ratio Source21%
Book Value Per Share Source$39.06
Prior-Year Reserve Release Source$37 million

Other quarters

Summarised with AI from the documents the company filed with the SEC. Every point is checked against the filing before it is shown: management’s own words word for word, figures against the line or table row they come from. A point that fails the check is left out. Source opens the filing at that line.