Essent: 3 Key Takeaways for Long-Term Investors

Essent reported Q3 2026 net income of $163 million with insurance in force reaching $250 billion. The mortgage insurer is using strong cash flow from stagnant portfolio growth to fund a $500 million share repurchase program. Management highlighted how reinsurance hedging protects against downside risk while retained capital positions the company to gain market share during industry stress, despite elevated interest rates constraining housing demand.