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Kingstone Companies, Inc.: Q2 FY2026 earnings call

What management said about Q2 FY2026, from the documents filed with the SEC on 6 August 2026: press release. Guidance figures: 6 kept. The quarter’s numbers.

Key takeaways

  • Most profitable quarter in company history: Net income was $15.5 million, up 37.5% from $11.3 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.05 against $0.78. Management described it as the most profitable quarter in company history. Source
  • Net premiums earned up 31%: Net premiums earned rose 30.8% to $60.5 million, from $46.2 million, as premiums under the reduced quota share continued to earn in. Six-month net premiums earned rose 29.6%. Source
  • Direct premiums led by New York: Direct premiums written rose 18.7% to $72.5 million. Management attributed the growth to continued strength in New York personal lines. Policies in force rose 9.9%. Source
  • Net combined ratio fell to 70.2%: GAAP net combined ratio was 70.2% against 71.5%. For the six months it was 90.2% against 82.3%, a 7.9-point rise. Source
  • Winter storms lifted six-month cat ratio: Six-month catastrophe loss ratio was 12.0% against 1.2%. The full-year estimate reflects elevated winter storm activity in the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Catastrophe reinsurance coverage expanded: The placement lifted total catastrophe coverage to $500 million, added wildfire protection, kept first-event retentions low and cut the risk-adjusted cost of core cat excess coverage by more than 15%. Source
  • Diluted book value per share up 35%: Diluted book value per share was $8.69 at June 30, 2026, up 34.9% from $6.44. Excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, it was $9.27. Source
  • Full-year 2026 guidance reaffirmed: The company reaffirmed its growth, underwriting and profitability guidance for 2026, originally issued March 5, 2026 and affirmed May 7, 2026. Source

“I am very pleased to report the most profitable quarter in Kingstone's history.”

Meryl Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingstone

Guidance

AreaPeriodFigureAgainst last quarter
Direct premiums written growth SourceFiscal year 202616% to 20%Kept
Net combined ratio SourceFiscal year 202681% to 86%Kept
Underlying combined ratio SourceFiscal year 202674% to 76%Kept
Catastrophe loss ratio SourceFiscal year 20267% to 10%Kept
Net income per share, diluted SourceFiscal year 2026$2.20 to $2.90Kept
Return on equity SourceFiscal year 202624% to 30%Kept
Effective tax rate (modeling assumption) SourceFiscal year 202621%
Weighted average diluted shares (modeling assumption) SourceFiscal year 202614.8 million

What changed from last quarter

  • Guidance kept: The 2026 guidance was reaffirmed, with the figures as originally issued March 5, 2026 and affirmed May 7, 2026. Source
  • New: A share repurchase authorization was announced during the quarter. The release does not give the amount. Source
  • New: The catastrophe reinsurance placement was completed, raising total coverage to $500 million and adding wildfire protection. Source
  • New: The quarterly dividend was increased 20% to $0.06 per share after the quarter, one year after reinstatement. Source

Quarterly results and growth

  • Most profitable quarter in company history: Net income was $15.5 million, up 37.5% from $11.3 million a year earlier. Diluted EPS was $1.05 against $0.78. Management described it as the most profitable quarter in company history. Source
  • Net premiums earned up 31%: Net premiums earned rose 30.8% to $60.5 million, from $46.2 million, as premiums under the reduced quota share continued to earn in. Six-month net premiums earned rose 29.6%. Source
  • Direct premiums led by New York: Direct premiums written rose 18.7% to $72.5 million. Management attributed the growth to continued strength in New York personal lines. Policies in force rose 9.9%. Source
  • Six-month net income fell 36%: The prior-year six months included a $1,966 thousand gain on sale of real estate, and the 2026 six months had none. Six-month diluted EPS was $0.66 against $1.07. Source
  • Operating EPS up 39% in quarter: Operating net income per diluted share, which excludes investment gains and losses and the real estate gain on an after-tax basis, was $1.04 against $0.75. Source

Products, customers and markets

  • Homeowners focus in New York and California: The company said it was the 11th largest writer of homeowners insurance in New York in 2025 and also writes homeowners coverage in California on a non-admitted basis. Source
  • Agents and brokers write the business: Homeowners solutions are offered through the Select product suite. The principal operating subsidiaries write business through retail and wholesale agents and brokers. Source
  • Policies in force up 9.9%: Policies in force at June 30, 2026 totaled 84,570, up from 76,925 a year earlier, an increase of 9.9%. Source

“Our strong capital position supports profitable growth and disciplined capital returns.”

Meryl Golden, President and Chief Executive Officer of Kingstone

Losses, expenses and combined ratio

  • Net loss ratio rose to 39.6%: Net loss ratio was 39.6% against 38.8%. Management said it included favorable prior-year reserve development and a negative catastrophe loss ratio. Source
  • Expense ratio fell on platform leverage: Net underwriting expense ratio was 30.6% against 32.7%. Management attributed the change to the operating leverage of its scalable platform. Source
  • Net combined ratio fell to 70.2%: GAAP net combined ratio was 70.2% against 71.5%. For the six months it was 90.2% against 82.3%, a 7.9-point rise. Source
  • Underlying combined ratio rose 2.3 points: Underlying combined ratio, which excludes catastrophe losses and prior-year reserve development, was 73.7% against 71.4%. For the six months it was 80.7% against 82.0%. Source

Catastrophes and reinsurance

  • Quarter catastrophe ratio was negative: Catastrophe loss ratio was negative 0.8% against 0.6% a year earlier. Management said favorable development on the first-quarter estimate exceeded second-quarter losses. Source
  • Winter storms lifted six-month cat ratio: Six-month catastrophe loss ratio was 12.0% against 1.2%. The full-year estimate reflects elevated winter storm activity in the first quarter of 2026. Source
  • Catastrophe reinsurance coverage expanded: The placement lifted total catastrophe coverage to $500 million, added wildfire protection, kept first-event retentions low and cut the risk-adjusted cost of core cat excess coverage by more than 15%. Source

Investments and balance sheet

  • Investment income up 49%: Net investment income was $3.4 million against $2.3 million. Management attributed the increase to a growing investment portfolio and higher yields. Source
  • Investments and cash grew: Total investments were $334.1 million at June 30, 2026, against $309.7 million at December 31, 2025. Cash and cash equivalents were $16.9 million, against $12.2 million. Source
  • Loss reserves rose to $167.5 million: Loss and loss adjustment expense reserves were $167.5 million at June 30, 2026, against $140.5 million at December 31, 2025. Unearned premiums were $152.6 million. Source
  • Other comprehensive loss in quarter: Other comprehensive loss, net of tax, was $0.4 million in the quarter and $2.4 million for six months. Accumulated other comprehensive loss was $8.5 million at June 30, 2026. Source

Capital and shareholder returns

  • Diluted book value per share up 35%: Diluted book value per share was $8.69 at June 30, 2026, up 34.9% from $6.44. Excluding accumulated other comprehensive loss, it was $9.27. Source
  • Annualized return on equity 50.8%: Annualized return on equity was 50.8% in both quarters. Six-month return on equity was 15.3% against 37.4%. Operating return on equity was 12.5% for the quarter. Source
  • Share repurchase authorization announced: The company announced a share repurchase authorization during the quarter. The release does not state the authorization amount or any repurchases made. Source
  • Quarterly dividend raised 20%: The quarterly dividend was increased 20% to $0.06 per share after quarter end, one year after reinstatement. Dividends declared were $0.05 in the quarter and $0.10 for six months. Source
  • Diluted share count rose 2%: Weighted average diluted shares were 14,671,627 in the quarter, against 14,387,538 a year earlier. Source

Full-year 2026 guidance

  • Full-year 2026 guidance reaffirmed: The company reaffirmed its growth, underwriting and profitability guidance for 2026, originally issued March 5, 2026 and affirmed May 7, 2026. Source
  • Premium growth and combined ratio ranges: 2026 direct premiums written growth is 16% to 20%. Net combined ratio is 81% to 86%, with underlying combined ratio of 74% to 76%. Source
  • Diluted EPS and ROE ranges: 2026 diluted EPS guidance is $2.20 to $2.90, and return on equity is 24% to 30%. Source
  • Catastrophe and reserve assumptions: The catastrophe loss ratio estimate is 7% to 10%, at or above the six-year average of 7.1%. Prior-year reserve development is shown as - % in the guidance table. Source
  • Tax rate and share count assumptions: Guidance modeling assumes a 21% effective tax rate and 14.8 million weighted average diluted shares for 2026. Source

Figures management reported

FigureReported
Combined ratio (net) Source70.2% quarter; 90.2% six months
Net premiums written Source$67,789 thousand quarter; $145,382 thousand six months
Prior-year reserve development Source(2.7)% quarter; (2.5)% six months
Catastrophe loss ratio Source(0.8)% quarter; 12.0% six months
Investment income Source$3,429 thousand quarter; $6,766 thousand six months
Book value per share Source$8.69 diluted; $9.27 excluding AOCI

Earlier plans management reported on

  • Not stated: Management reaffirmed the 2026 guidance, which was originally issued and then affirmed earlier in the year. Source
  • Not stated: Management said it remains confident in the company's trajectory and committed to long-term value for shareholders. Source

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.