26,714 Shares in Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE:ESNT) Purchased by Semanteon Capital Management LP

Semanteon Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of Essent Group Ltd. (NYSE:ESNT) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 26,714 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $1,454,000. Essent Group makes up 0.8% of Semanteon Capital Management LP’s investment portfolio, making the stock its 21st biggest position.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of ESNT. Cooke & Bieler LP lifted its position in shares of Essent Group by 45.9% during the 4th quarter. Cooke & Bieler LP now owns 2,228,925 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $121,343,000 after buying an additional 700,730 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Essent Group by 132.4% during the third quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 424,542 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $27,294,000 after acquiring an additional 241,840 shares during the period. Intech Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Essent Group by 884.8% during the fourth quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 266,537 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $14,510,000 after acquiring an additional 239,473 shares during the period. Jennison Associates LLC boosted its stake in shares of Essent Group by 31.1% in the 4th quarter. Jennison Associates LLC now owns 984,414 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $53,591,000 after purchasing an additional 233,636 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Barclays PLC grew its holdings in shares of Essent Group by 154.7% in the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 208,927 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $13,431,000 after purchasing an additional 126,899 shares during the last quarter. 93.00% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Essent Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:ESNT opened at $55.80 on Friday. The stock has a market cap of $5.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.16, a P/E/G ratio of 2.70 and a beta of 1.09. The company has a 50 day moving average of $56.85 and a 200-day moving average of $58.23. Essent Group Ltd. has a one year low of $52.22 and a one year high of $65.34.

Essent Group (NYSE:ESNT) last released its quarterly earnings data on Friday, February 14th. The financial services provider reported $1.58 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.67 by ($0.09). The firm had revenue of $315.00 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $313.88 million. Essent Group had a return on equity of 13.35% and a net margin of 58.69%. The firm’s revenue was up 6.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $1.64 EPS. Equities research analysts anticipate that Essent Group Ltd. will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Essent Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 24th. Investors of record on Friday, March 14th will be paid a dividend of $0.31 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.22%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 14th. This is an increase from Essent Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.28. Essent Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 18.13%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

ESNT has been the subject of several analyst reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. cut their price target on shares of Essent Group from $67.00 to $60.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a report on Monday, December 9th. Barclays cut shares of Essent Group from an “overweight” rating to an “equal weight” rating and cut their target price for the company from $69.00 to $58.00 in a research note on Monday, January 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on Essent Group from $72.00 to $71.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada reissued an “outperform” rating and set a $67.00 price target on shares of Essent Group in a research note on Tuesday, February 18th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $62.57.

Essent Group Company Profile

Essent Group Ltd., through its subsidiaries, provides private mortgage insurance and reinsurance for mortgages secured by residential properties located in the United States. Its mortgage insurance products include primary, pool, and master policy. The company also provides information technology maintenance and development services; customer support-related services; underwriting consulting; and contract underwriting services, as well as risk management products and title insurance and settlement services.