| Factor | Score | Distribution | Value | Avg | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Valuation | 58 | 15.6x | 17.3x | Around median | |
Growth | 24 | 1.5% | 7.1% | Bottom tier | |
Quality | 98 | — | — | Top tier | |
Safety | 7 | — | — | Bottom tier | |
Capital Return | 89 | 2.52% | 0.06% | Top tier | |
Momentum | 68 | -10.3% | -1.6% | Top tier | |
Sentiment | 83 | 12 | 3 | Top tier |
10-year US Treasury yield 4.96% as of 2026-10-22. Estimates computed from company data and analyst targets, not investment advice.
Ten ratios that matter, each compared against its sector median and average — so you can see whether a number is rich or cheap relative to peers in the same sector.
W. R. Berkley Corporation operates in insurance and reinsurance, generating profits from underwriting profitability and from investing premiums held before claims are paid. In fiscal 2026 Q2, the Insurance segment achieved record gross written premiums of $3.8 billion and record net written premiums of $3.1 billion, while net written premiums in the Reinsurance & Monoline Excess segment declined to $36 million due to intensifying competition.
Fiscal 2026 Q2 revenue was approximately $3.7 billion, net income was $452.3 million, and reported diluted earnings per share were $1.15. On an operating earnings basis, earnings per share rose 21% to $1.27, equivalent to $497 million and an annualized return on beginning-of-year equity of 20.5%.
Pre-tax underwriting income was $318 million, the company’s second-best quarterly result, while pre-tax net investment income reached a quarterly record of $419 million. The combined ratio was 90%, or 88.1% for the current accident year excluding catastrophe losses, with a stable expense ratio of 28.5% and catastrophe losses of $62 million.
The average analyst price target is $69.44, compared with a high target of $77 and a low target of $58, with a Neutral rather than Buy consensus. The average target is below the 52-week range high of $78.96, and even the high target remains below that peak, while the low target extends below the range low of $62.87; this dispersion balances strong underwriting and investment results against competitive pressures and slowing pricing. The data does not provide a reliable price-to-earnings multiple, so the stock’s valuation here is based on the target range and the 52-week range rather than an earnings multiple.
Figures in the text are as of 2026-08-28; the live price is shown at the top of the page.
Both underwriting and investment contributed; pre-tax underwriting income was $318 million, while pre-tax net investment income reached a record $419 million. Operating earnings per share rose 21% to $1.27, exceeding expectations by 16.5%. Reported net income was $452.3 million, or $1.15 per share, on revenue of $3.7 billion.
Yes, gross written premiums in the Insurance segment grew 5.4% to $3.8 billion in fiscal 2026 Q2, and net written premiums rose 3.7% to $3.1 billion. During the first half of fiscal 2026, net written premiums increased 3.4% year over year. Renewal retention remained stable near 80%, while rate growth per unit of exposure, excluding workers’ compensation, was 3.8%.
Net invested assets reached $34.2 billion in fiscal 2026 Q2, and pre-tax net investment income was $419 million. The domestic portfolio yield was 4.8%, while management said new-money yields begin above 5%, allowing cash flows to be reinvested at yields higher than the domestic book yield. The duration of the fixed-maturity and cash portfolio was 3.2 years, compared with an average reserve life of 3.9 years, leaving room to extend duration selectively.
Automated analysis for informational purposes only — not investment advice.
The company uses artificial intelligence in underwriting workflow platforms that digitize the process from submission intake through quote issuance. Initial applications have delivered efficiency gains exceeding 20%, with more business processed and that activity converted into additional productivity. In claims, the company is working on straight-through processing for suitable cases, benefiting from the fact that approximately 50% of claims are settled for $5 thousand or less.
The company faces rapidly deteriorating pricing in parts of the property market, along with reductions ranging from 20% to 30% in certain residential real estate and liquor liability businesses. Competition in property and liability reinsurance reduced net written premiums in the Reinsurance & Monoline Excess segment to $36 million in fiscal 2026 Q2. The quarter also benefited from catastrophe losses declining to $62 million, so results could be more volatile if catastrophe activity increases in later periods.
The company returned $334 million through dividends and share repurchases during fiscal 2026 Q2. This included $223 million of regular and special dividends and approximately $111 million of repurchases. During the twelve months ended in that quarter, total capital returned exceeded $1.3 billion, or approximately 14% of shareholders’ equity, while shareholders’ equity increased to more than $9.8 billion.