Core Insights - Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. achieved a 21% increase in gross written premiums (GWP) in Q4 to $224 million and a 24% increase for the full year to approximately $863 million, driven primarily by disciplined premium growth in the casualty division [1][2][19] - The company reported a 30% growth in adjusted net income for the year, with an adjusted return on equity of 13.6% and diluted adjusted earnings per share of $1.65 [2][19] - The casualty division was the largest contributor to GWP growth, with a 26% increase in Q4 to $133 million and a 28% increase for the full year to $551 million, largely due to the excess casualty portfolio [1][19] Financial Performance - The expense ratio improved to below 30% for the year, better than the low-30s range initially expected, contributing to the overall profitability [2][28] - The loss ratio for 2025 was reported at 66.7%, an increase of 2.3 points from 2024, influenced by higher expected loss ratios and portfolio mix changes [20][27] - The company’s investment portfolio saw a 36% increase in pretax net investment income for Q4 and a 44% increase for the year, totaling $57.8 million [29] Growth Drivers - The fourth quarter's growth was bolstered by the approval of construction projects, which added nearly 30% to casualty premiums [5] - The cyber liability portfolio and healthcare management liability were significant contributors to full-year growth, with GWP in healthcare increasing 14% to $116 million [6][19] - The digital underwriting model, including the Baleen initiative, is expected to drive future growth, with Baleen generating over $21 million for the year [7][19] Underwriting Strategy - The company employs two underwriting models: a craft underwriting model for complex risks and a digital underwriting model for small, harder-to-place risks [8][9] - The craft model accounted for over 97% of GWP in 2025, while the digital model is designed for speed and efficiency in decision-making [10] - Bowhead Specialty Holdings Inc. maintains a disciplined approach to underwriting, focusing on profitability over volume and avoiding high-risk classes [16][17] Future Outlook - The company anticipates a GWP growth of around 20% for 2026, primarily driven by the casualty division and digital capabilities [11][30] - The expense ratio is expected to remain below 30% due to ongoing scaling and technology initiatives [32] - The company plans to extend the duration of its investment portfolio from 3 to 4 years to better match liabilities [33]

Bowhead Specialty (NYSE:BOW) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 24, 2026 08:30 AM ET Company ParticipantsBob Huang - Executive DirectorBrad Mulcahey - CFODerek Broaddus - Head of CasualtyPablo Singzon - Executive DirectorShirley Yap - Chief Accounting Officer and Head of Investor RelationsStephen Sills - CEOConference Call ParticipantsCameron Bianchi - Equity Research AnalystCave Montazeri - Research AnalystMeyer Shields - Managing Director and Equity Research AnalystRowland Mayor - Senior AnalystOperatorHello, ...

Bowhead Specialty (NYSE:BOW) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 24, 2026 08:30 AM ET Speaker5Hello, welcome to Bowhead Specialty's fourth quarter 2025 earnings call. After the prepared remarks, we will hold a question-and-answer session. For those in the Q&A room, please use the Raise Hand function at the bottom of your Zoom screen to join the question queue. You can do this at any time, and your question will be addressed during the Q&A session. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. If you have any ...

Bowhead Specialty (NYSE:BOW) Q4 2025 Earnings call February 24, 2026 08:30 AM ET Speaker5Hello, and welcome to Bowhead Specialty's fourth quarter 2025 earnings call. After the prepared remarks, we will hold a question-and-answer session. For those in the Q&A room, please use the Raise Hand function at the bottom of your Zoom screen to join the question queue. You can do this at any time, and your question will be addressed during the Q&A session. As a reminder, this conference is being recorded. If you have ...