Company Performance - HCI Group shares have increased by 16% over the past month, reaching a new 52-week high of $142.37, and have gained 20.5% since the start of the year, outperforming the Zacks Finance sector (4.3%) and the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry (14.5%) [1] - The company has a strong record of positive earnings surprises, not missing earnings consensus estimates in the last four quarters, with the latest EPS reported at $0.31 against a consensus estimate of $-2.75 [2] Financial Projections - For the current fiscal year, HCI Group is expected to post earnings of $14.98 per share on revenues of $881.26 million, reflecting a 102.16% increase in EPS and a 17.49% increase in revenues [3] - For the next fiscal year, earnings are projected to be $13.70 per share on revenues of $930.68 million, indicating a year-over-year change of -8.56% in EPS and a 5.61% increase in revenues [3] Valuation Metrics - HCI Group has a Value Score of A, a Growth Score of D, and a Momentum Score of B, resulting in a VGM Score of B [6] - The stock trades at 9.4X current fiscal year EPS estimates, below the peer industry average of 11.8X, and at 16.9X trailing cash flow, compared to the peer group's average of 12.7X [7] Zacks Rank - HCI Group holds a Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) due to favorable earnings estimate revisions from analysts [8] - The company aligns with the recommendation for investors to select stocks with Zacks Rank of 1 or 2 and Style Scores of A or B, indicating potential for future growth [9] Industry Comparison - The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry is performing well, ranking in the top 18% of all industries, suggesting positive conditions for HCI Group and its peers [12]

Core Insights - The financial sector is currently the leading sector in the Zacks 1 Rank list with 81 stocks, significantly outpacing the next sector, Computers, which has 32 stocks [1] - The financial sector has outperformed the broader market index by over 5% year-to-date, indicating strong fundamentals and a rotation of fund managers into this sector [2] Company Highlights - **OppFi (OPFI)**: A financial technology company providing accessible credit products, with a stock price increase of 43% year-to-date and a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy). The company has achieved four consecutive earnings beats with surprise percentages ranging from 57% to 100% [4][5] - **NatWest Group (NWG)**: A major UK banking institution with stable operations and a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy). The stock trades at 8.5x forward earnings, below the industry average of 10.4x, and has a PEG ratio of 0.87 based on projected earnings growth of 9.84% annually [8] - **HCI Group (HCI)**: A property and casualty insurance company with a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy). The stock has seen earnings estimates rise by 16% over the past month and is currently trading at a forward earnings multiple of 9.3x, well below its 10-year median of 13x [10][12] Investment Opportunities - The combination of strong earnings momentum, attractive valuations, and technical strength makes OppFi, NatWest Group, and HCI Group compelling investment opportunities in the financial sector [13] - These companies operate in different areas of the financial sector but share rising analyst confidence and favorable positioning in a changing macro environment [14]

Core Viewpoint - HCI Group has shown strong stock performance recently, significantly outperforming the broader market and its industry, raising questions about its future direction [2][16]. Earnings Estimate Revisions - HCI Group is expected to report earnings of $4.49 per share for the current quarter, reflecting a year-over-year increase of +23% and a 30-day change in the Zacks Consensus Estimate of +11.4% [5]. - For the current fiscal year, the consensus earnings estimate is $14.98, indicating a substantial year-over-year change of +102.2%, with a 30-day change of +11% [5]. - The next fiscal year's consensus earnings estimate is $13.70, showing a decrease of -8.6% from the previous year, but has seen a 30-day increase of +14.2% [6]. - HCI Group has a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), indicating a positive outlook based on recent earnings estimate revisions [7]. Revenue Growth Forecast - The consensus sales estimate for the current quarter is $210.17 million, representing a year-over-year change of +1.7% [9]. - For the current fiscal year, the sales estimate is $881.26 million, indicating a growth of +17.5%, while the next fiscal year's estimate of $930.68 million reflects a growth of +5.6% [9]. Last Reported Results and Surprise History - In the last reported quarter, HCI Group generated revenues of $161.88 million, a slight decline of -0.5% year-over-year, with an EPS of $0.31 compared to $3.22 a year ago [10]. - The reported revenues were below the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $163.88 million, resulting in a revenue surprise of -1.22%, while the EPS surprise was +111.27% [11]. - The company has consistently beaten consensus EPS estimates over the last four quarters and has topped revenue estimates twice during this period [11]. Valuation - HCI Group is graded A in the Zacks Value Style Score, indicating it is trading at a discount compared to its peers [15].

Company Overview - HCI Group, Inc. (HCI) is positioned as an intriguing investment choice within the Insurance - Property and Casualty sector due to solid earnings estimate revisions and a favorable industry ranking [1][5]. - The company has experienced a positive shift in earnings estimates, indicating a more bullish outlook from analysts regarding its short and long-term prospects [3]. Industry Analysis - The Insurance - Property and Casualty industry currently holds a Zacks Industry Rank of 35 out of over 250 industries, suggesting it is well-positioned compared to other segments [2]. - A broad trend within the industry is likely benefiting multiple securities, indicating a rising tide effect that could lift overall performance [2]. Earnings Estimates - Over the past month, HCI's current quarter earnings estimates have increased from $3.87 per share to $4.49 per share, while current year estimates have risen from $13.33 per share to $14.98 per share [4]. - These revisions have contributed to HCI earning a Zacks Rank 1 (Strong Buy), highlighting the company's strong market position [4].

Momentum investing revolves around the idea of following a stock's recent trend in either direction. In the 'long' context, investors will be essentially be "buying high, but hoping to sell even higher." With this methodology, taking advantage of trends in a stock's price is key; once a stock establishes a course, it is more than likely to continue moving that way. The goal is that once a stock heads down a fixed path, it will lead to timely and profitable trades.While many investors like to look for moment ...

Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter?Before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage, let's see what these Wall Street heavyweights think about HCI Group (HCI) .HCI Group currently has an average brokerage recommendati ...

Investors seek growth stocks to capitalize on above-average growth in financials that help these securities grab the market's attention and produce exceptional returns. But finding a growth stock that can live up to its true potential can be a tough task.By their very nature, these stocks carry above-average risk and volatility. Moreover, if a company's growth story is over or nearing its end, betting on it could lead to significant loss.However, the task of finding cutting-edge growth stocks is made easy w ...

HCI Group (HCI) appears an attractive pick given a noticeable improvement in the company's earnings outlook. The stock has been a strong performer lately, and the momentum might continue with analysts still raising their earnings estimates for the company.The upward trend in estimate revisions for this property and casualty insurance holding company reflects growing optimism of analysts on its earnings prospects, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong cor ...

Have you been paying attention to shares of HCI Group (HCI) ? Shares have been on the move with the stock up 14.9% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $140.72 in the previous session. HCI Group has gained 20.1% since the start of the year compared to the 4.9% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 11.4% return for the Zacks Insurance - Property and Casualty industry.What's Driving the Outperformance?The stock has an impressive record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't misse ...

TAMPA, Fla., March 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- HCI Group, Inc. (NYSE: HCI) announced today a streamlined organizational structure to better align the long-term potential of the company. HCI will be organized into two distinct operating units, with each unit having defined management teams and operational objectives. “Each operating unit is financially strong, and we believe this new structure will enable both to pursue their growth and profitability objectives more effectively,” said Paresh Patel, HCI’s ch ...