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Palomar Holdings (PLMR)
NASDAQ:PLMR

Palomar Holdings (PLMR) AI Stock Analysis

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PLMR

Palomar Holdings

(NASDAQ:PLMR)

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Outperform 77 (OpenAI - 5.2)
Rating:77Outperform
Price Target:
$137.00
▲(11.00% Upside)
Action:ReiteratedDate:02/25/26
PLMR scores well primarily on strong financial performance (expanding margins, solid ROE, and strong cash generation) and supportive earnings-call guidance for continued growth in 2026. The score is tempered by currently weak technical momentum (below key moving averages with negative MACD) and identifiable near-term underwriting/expense headwinds outlined in guidance, while valuation appears reasonable at ~16.8x earnings.
Positive Factors
Strong cash generation
Consistently high operating and free cash flow (~$409M in 2025) implies durable earnings quality and internal funding for growth, reinsurance, and M&A. Strong cash conversion reduces reliance on external capital and supports capital returns or opportunistic investments over the next 2–6 months.
Improving profitability and ROE
Margin expansion and high ROE reflect disciplined underwriting, pricing power in specialty lines, and operating leverage benefits. Sustained profitability supports retained earnings growth, enhances capital adequacy for underwriting appetite, and underpins medium-term return prospects.
Diversification and reinsurance improvements
Broadening into surety and scaling non-earthquake lines reduces concentration risk from earthquake exposure. Concurrently improved quota-share treaties and lower-risk-adjusted catastrophe placements materially lower earnings volatility and strengthen structural margin sustainability.
Negative Factors
Rising loss ratio guidance
A materially higher guided loss ratio signals underwriting profitability is expected to compress as crop and casualty mix grows. Persistently higher loss trends reduce underwriting margins over the medium term and require sustained pricing or portfolio actions to restore prior profitability levels.
Acquisition financing and near-term accretion drag
Financing the acquisition increases interest expense and introduces near-term dilution of accretion. Elevated leverage and financing costs constrain capital flexibility and make near-term ROE gains contingent on successful integration and organic scale benefits realized beyond 2026.
Commercial earthquake rate pressure
Sustained rate softness in a historically meaningful line undermines pricing power and can erode margins if market share is defended. Even with reinsurance gains, prolonged competition in earthquake could limit growth or force higher risk retention to maintain premiums.

Palomar Holdings (PLMR) vs. SPDR S&P 500 ETF (SPY)

Palomar Holdings Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionPalomar Holdings, Inc., an insurance holding company, provides specialty property insurance to residential and commercial customers. The company offers personal and commercial specialty property insurance products, including residential and commercial earthquake, commercial all risk, specialty homeowners, inland marine, Hawaii hurricane, and residential flood, as well as other products, such as assumed reinsurance, commercial flood, real estate error and omission, and real estate investor products. It markets and distributes its products through retail agents, wholesale brokers, program administrators, and carrier partnerships. The company was formerly known as GC Palomar Holdings. Palomar Holdings, Inc. was incorporated in 2013 and is headquartered in La Jolla, California.
How the Company Makes MoneyPalomar Holdings generates revenue primarily through the underwriting of specialty insurance policies. The company collects premiums from policyholders in exchange for providing coverage against specific risks, such as earthquakes and hurricanes. Palomar employs a focused underwriting strategy to assess and price risk accurately, allowing it to maintain profitability while offering competitive rates. Additionally, the company leverages reinsurance agreements to manage its exposure to large-scale catastrophic events, which helps stabilize its financial performance. Key revenue streams include premium income from policyholders and investment income from the company's portfolio of invested assets. Significant partnerships with reinsurers and distribution partners also contribute to Palomar's ability to expand its market reach and enhance its product offerings.

Palomar Holdings Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Feb 11, 2026
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:May 06, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The call conveyed strong, broad-based financial and operational progress: robust top-line growth (+32% GWP), significant earnings expansion (+62% adjusted net income), attractive returns (ROE ~26%), improved reinsurance economics, successful acquisitions and growing scale/talent. Challenges include commercial earthquake rate pressure (rates down ~15%), a higher Q4 loss ratio driven by casualty and crop growth, near-term expense pressure, and modest 2026 accretion from the Gray Surety acquisition due to financing costs. Management provided positive 2026 guidance (midpoint implying ~24% adjusted net income growth) and clear strategic plans (AI, integration, disciplined underwriting), suggesting the positives materially outweigh the headwinds.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Full-Year Financial Performance
Full-year 2025 gross written premium grew 32% to $2.0 billion; adjusted net income increased 62% to $216.1 million; adjusted diluted EPS rose 54% to $7.86; adjusted return on equity was 25.9% (up from 22.2% in 2024).
Strong Q4 Results and Momentum
Q4 2025 adjusted net income was $61.1 million (+48% YoY) or $2.24 per share; Q4 adjusted underwriting income was $62.3 million (+52% YoY); Q4 gross written premium was $492.6 million (+32% YoY) and Q4 net earned premium increased 61% to $233.5 million.
High-Quality Underwriting Metrics
Full-year adjusted combined ratio was 72.7% (improved from 73.7% in 2024); Q4 adjusted combined ratio was 73.4%; Q4 annualized adjusted ROE was ~26.9% (up from 23.1% in prior-year quarter).
Crop Franchise Outperformance
Crop wrote $248 million of premium in 2025, beating the original $200 million expectation and revised guidance of $230 million; fourth quarter crop production was $40 million; crop loss ratio under 80% in 2025; retention increased to 50% net of SRA with expected crop premium growth >30% in 2026 and intermediate target of $500 million.
Reinsurance Improvements and Favorable Pricing
Renewed four quota share treaties on 01/01 with improved economics; commercial earthquake quota share renewed ~15% lower on a risk-adjusted basis; earthquake excess of loss placements renewed >15% lower risk-adjusted; primary/excess casualty quota share improved ceding commission.
Strategic M&A and Product Expansion
Closed acquisition of Gray Casualty and Surety (Gray Surety) to strengthen surety franchise; pro forma Gray written premium would have been ~$110 million in 2025; third specialty franchise closed in the period, broadening product mix and diversification.
Talent, Scale and Operational Initiatives
Headcount grew to over 500 professionals; added underwriting, claims, data and actuarial talent; launched engineering practice for construction/infrastructure; deploying AI to enhance underwriting workflows, portfolio optimization, automation and operational efficiency.
2026 Guidance Reflects Continued Growth
2026 adjusted net income guidance of $260 million to $275 million (midpoint implies ~24% growth vs. 2025) with adjusted ROE >20%; guidance assumes $8–12 million (or $10 million cited) catastrophe load and a 10% risk-adjusted decrease on excess of loss property catastrophe reinsurance renewal at 06/01.
Negative Updates
Commercial Earthquake Rate Pressure
Commercial earthquake experienced rates down ~15% and the commercial earthquake book remains pressured by elevated competition; management expects this competitive pressure could persist through much of 2026; Q4 earthquake premium declined 2% YoY (muted by a one-time 2024 unearned premium benefit).
Higher Loss Ratio and Attritional Losses in Q4
Q4 loss ratio increased to 30.4% from 25.7% in prior-year quarter, driven primarily by higher attritional losses associated with growth in casualty and crop; full-year 2026 loss ratio guidance expected in the mid-to-upper 30s (up from ~28.5% in 2025).
Rising Expense Ratios This Quarter
Q4 acquisition expense as a % of gross earned premiums was 13.0% (vs. 10.9% in prior-year Q4) and other underwriting expenses were 8.1% (vs. 7.2% prior-year Q4), driven by business mix and investments in talent and systems; could pressure near-term expense leverage as organization scales.
Crop Retention Raises Portfolio Ratios
Retention for crop increased to 50% effective 01/01/2026 (from ~30%), which while expected to add pretax earnings will increase loss and combined ratios because crop typically runs a combined ratio in the low 90s—management notes this will move aggregate ratios higher even as it grows earnings.
Acquisition Financing and Near-Term Accretion
Gray Surety acquisition closed for an estimated $311 million, financed with a $300 million term loan (SOFR + 1.75% current spread); due to interest expense and timing, Gray is expected to be only modestly accretive in 2026 with scaling and accretion targeted in 2027.
Rate Softness in Certain Commercial Property Segments
Large E&S builders risk accounts are seeing rate decreases in the low single digits (offset in part by >10% pending increases in Hawaii hurricane/truck cargo book), indicating selective rate pressure in segments of commercial property.
Uncertainty Around Reinsurance Assumptions
Guidance assumes a 10% risk-adjusted reduction on excess of loss property catastrophe reinsurance at 06/01; while market conditions are currently favorable and some renewals already beat that, outcomes remain subject to market variability and exposure expansion as the company grows.
Company Guidance
Palomar's 2026 guidance calls for adjusted net income of $260 million to $275 million (midpoint implying ~24% growth and an adjusted ROE >20%), and incorporates the Gray Surety acquisition; the company says the range includes $8–12 million of catastrophe losses (Mac noted a $10 million midpoint) and assumes a ~10% risk‑adjusted reduction in excess‑of‑loss property catastrophe reinsurance at the 6/1 renewal. Management expects the net earned premium ratio to rise from 44.9% in 2025 into the upper‑40s in 2026, loss ratio (including catastrophes) to be in the mid‑to‑upper‑30s (vs. 28.5% in 2025), an adjusted combined ratio in the mid‑70s (2025: 72.7%), improvements versus 2025 acquisition and other underwriting expense ratios (12.1% and 8.0%, respectively), continued quarterly seasonality driven by crop, and the guidance assumes modest 2026 accretion from Gray Surety with buy financing of ~$300 million (term loan SOFR+1.75%).

Palomar Holdings Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Strong and improving fundamentals: accelerating revenue growth in 2025 (~12.9%), materially higher profitability (net margin ~22.5%, EBIT margin ~29%), strong ROE (~20.9%), and excellent cash conversion with rising operating/free cash flow (~$409M in 2025). Main risks are uneven year-to-year growth and notable swings in total assets that reduce perceived balance-sheet stability.
Income Statement
86
Very Positive
Revenue growth has been consistently positive and accelerated in the latest year (2025: ~12.9% vs. 2024: ~0.5%), while profitability strengthened meaningfully over time. Net profit margin improved from ~3.7% (2020) to ~22.5% (2025), and operating profitability expanded as well (2025 EBIT margin ~29%). The main watch-out is that growth has been uneven year-to-year (notably the sharp slowdown in 2024), which adds some variability to the near-term trajectory.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The balance sheet is conservatively positioned with minimal leverage: total debt is reported at 0 in 2024–2025, and debt-to-equity is 0.0 in those periods (modest debt in 2022–2023). Shareholders’ equity has grown (to ~$943M in 2025), supporting a strong return on equity (~20.9% in 2025). A key weakness is that total assets swung sharply higher in 2024 (~$2.26B) and then much lower in 2025 (~$1.02B), which suggests meaningful balance sheet mix/size changes and reduces the appearance of stability based on the provided data.
Cash Flow
84
Very Positive
Cash generation is strong and improving: operating cash flow rose to ~$409M in 2025 (from ~$261M in 2024), and free cash flow closely tracks operating cash flow (2025 free cash flow ~$409M). Free cash flow also closely matches reported earnings (free cash flow to net income ~1.00 in 2024–2025), indicating high earnings quality and strong cash conversion. The main drawback is some historical volatility (free cash flow declined in 2023), even though the most recent two years show clear momentum.
BreakdownDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue875.97M553.86M375.93M327.09M247.79M
Gross Profit647.37M269.45M195.59M137.64M110.90M
EBITDA262.65M157.44M111.92M72.54M60.72M
Net Income197.07M117.57M79.20M52.17M45.85M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.02B2.26B1.71B1.31B925.73M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments106.89M550.86M695.35M583.17M482.97M
Total Debt0.000.0052.60M36.40M3.47M
Total Liabilities1.28B1.53B1.24B921.70M531.57M
Stockholders Equity942.67M729.03M471.25M384.75M394.17M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow408.98M260.91M109.35M163.65M82.96M
Operating Cash Flow409.12M261.16M116.11M169.58M87.81M
Investing Cash Flow-353.98M-306.24M-128.48M-156.81M-58.19M
Financing Cash Flow-28.79M73.77M-3.94M5.02M-13.04M

Palomar Holdings Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price123.42
Price Trends
50DMA
128.57
Negative
100DMA
123.91
Negative
200DMA
131.48
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
-1.24
Positive
RSI
41.41
Neutral
STOCH
19.24
Positive
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For PLMR, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 123.42 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 125.22, below the 50-day MA of 128.57, and below the 200-day MA of 131.48, indicating a bearish trend. The MACD of -1.24 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 41.41 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 19.24 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for PLMR.

Palomar Holdings Risk Analysis

Palomar Holdings disclosed 53 risk factors in its most recent earnings report. Palomar Holdings reported the most risks in the "Finance & Corporate" category.
Finance & Corporate - Financial and accounting risks. Risks related to the execution of corporate activity and strategy
Latest Risks Added 0 New Risks

Palomar Holdings Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
$2.03B9.7931.94%0.82%8.71%17.26%
77
Outperform
$3.21B16.8323.58%54.41%52.71%
73
Outperform
$3.44B13.97%
70
Neutral
$896.21M18.5417.02%38.50%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
60
Neutral
$3.90B-21.98-31.34%30.53%21.82%
56
Neutral
$1.83B13.459.03%3.15%4.51%-8.29%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
PLMR
Palomar Holdings
120.94
-1.06
-0.87%
KMPR
Kemper
31.25
-31.82
-50.45%
HCI
HCI Group
156.60
36.47
30.36%
LMND
Lemonade
52.22
20.74
65.88%
ROOT
Root
57.81
-40.90
-41.43%
AHL
Aspen Insurance Holdings Ltd Class A
37.50
3.04
8.82%

Palomar Holdings Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial DisclosuresM&A Transactions
Palomar Highlights Strong Q4 Results and Gray Surety Acquisition
Positive
Feb 23, 2026

On February 23, 2026, Palomar Holdings, Inc. updated its investor presentation, highlighting fourth-quarter gross written premium of $492.6 million, up 31.8% year on year, and adjusted net income of $61.1 million, a 48% gain that translated into a 26.9% adjusted return on equity and a 73.4% adjusted combined ratio. The company also noted its January 31, 2026 closing of the Gray Surety acquisition, which adds expertise and scale in surety and credit and would have represented about 7% of total gross written premium for full-year 2025 on a pro forma basis.

Palomar emphasized that its non-earthquake business now represents 72% of its specialty premium base, underscoring a deliberate shift toward a more diversified mix that preserves profitability while reducing dependence on a single catastrophe line. The presentation detailed responsible growth in casualty with conservative reserving, increased crop retention to 50% starting January 1, 2026, and a broad, multi-layered reinsurance program that expands earthquake coverage to roughly $3.5 billion while maintaining a $20 million occurrence retention, factors the company argues have helped it beat earnings consensus for 14 consecutive quarters and should continue to support stable margins and long-term value creation for stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (PLMR) stock is a Buy with a $160.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Palomar Holdings stock, see the PLMR Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyM&A TransactionsPrivate Placements and Financing
Palomar Holdings completes Gray Surety acquisition and financing
Positive
Feb 2, 2026

On February 2, 2025, Palomar Holdings announced it had completed the acquisition of The Gray Casualty & Surety Company, effective January 31, 2026, and closed a new $450 million unsecured credit facility, effective January 27, 2026, consisting of a $150 million revolving line and a $300 million term loan arranged by a syndicate of major U.S. banks. The approximately $311 million purchase price for Gray Surety was funded with proceeds from the term loan and cash on hand, a move that significantly expands Palomar’s national surety platform, adds scale and geographic reach to its casualty franchise, and supports its broader “Palomar 2x” growth strategy while underscoring the company’s ability to secure substantial long-term financing for acquisitions and general corporate purposes.

The most recent analyst rating on (PLMR) stock is a Buy with a $139.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Palomar Holdings stock, see the PLMR Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Feb 25, 2026