LAKEWOOD, NJ, Jan. 05, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Reliance Global Group, Inc. (Nasdaq: RELI) (the “Company”) today announced the unanimous Board approval for its formation of EZRA International Group, a new division focused on acquiring controlling stakes and accelerating growth of high-tech Israeli companies, with an initial focus on the Cybersecurity, AI & Data Analytics, FinTech & InsurTech, as well as MedTech & Digital Health sectors. Through this initiative, the Company intends to pursue a structured pat ...

Key Takeaways LMND targets adjusted EBITDA breakeven by 2026, backed by diversification and premium growth.EVER's ROE of 38.2% outperforms the industry, supported by innovation and a debt-free balance sheet.Both LMND and EVER shares have surged 116% YTD, but EVER shows stronger profitability and EPS growth.InsurTechs — technology-led insurers — are trying hard to be game changers, leveraging technologies like AI, telematics, data-driven underwriting and machine learning, among others. Yet, Lemonade Inc. (LM ...

Bjak Sdn, Malaysia’s largest online insurance aggregator, is mulling an initial public offering within the next two years as it seeks to enter Europe.Bjak is eyeing new markets in Spain and Germany in 2026 following its recent expansion in Japan, Taiwan and Thailand, Wei Low, the firm’s founder said in his first-ever media interview. The firm’s gross written premiums increased 20% to 30% this year and are set to grow at a faster pace in the future as Bjak expands into new markets, the 36-year-old told Bloom ...

Core Insights - Reliance Global Group, Inc. has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to sell its subsidiaries, U.S. Benefits Alliance, LLC and Employee Benefits Solutions, LLC, as part of its strategy to monetize non-core assets and strengthen its balance sheet [1][2] - The company plans to use 50% of the net proceeds from the sale to reduce debt, enhancing its financial flexibility and capital structure [2][3] - The remaining proceeds will be allocated to business development initiatives, particularly focusing on expanding the platforms RELI Exchange and 5minuteinsure.com, which aim to innovate the insurance market [2][3] Company Strategy - The sale of the EBS/USBA business unit is a significant step in Reliance's transformation into a technology-first wholesale insurance organization [2] - The company emphasizes a disciplined capital allocation strategy, aiming to sharpen its focus on segments with the greatest long-term opportunities for scale and profitability [2][3] - Reliance Global Group is leveraging AI and cloud-based technologies to improve efficiencies in the insurance agency and brokerage industry [3] Business Platforms - RELI Exchange provides independent insurance agencies with a suite of business development tools to compete effectively against larger national agencies [3] - 5minuteinsure.com utilizes AI and data mining to deliver quick and personalized insurance quotes to consumers, enhancing user experience in purchasing auto, home, and life insurance [3]

Core Insights - Heritage Insurance Holdings (HRTG) is focused on optimizing its portfolio of over $1 billion in gross premiums written to maximize long-term returns while mitigating risks from catastrophic weather events [1][9] - The company has ceased issuing new personal lines policies in Florida and the Northeast but is resuming selective underwriting due to favorable legislative reforms and stable reinsurance pricing [3][9] - HRTG's shares have gained 93.4% year to date, outperforming the industry [8] Company Strategy - HRTG relies on prudent underwriting, business diversification, rate adequacy initiatives, a robust reinsurance program, and efficient management of losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) [2] - The company expects its in-force policy count to stabilize and gradually grow through 2025–2026, supported by a comprehensive reinsurance program [4] - Strategic investments in InsurTech and advanced analytics are aimed at effective exposure management and supporting earnings consistency [5] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Kinsale Capital Group (KNSL) and Kingstone Companies (KINS) have diversified their portfolios through disciplined underwriting and targeted geographic expansion [6] - Kinsale excels in the excess and surplus market, while Kingstone has reduced exposure to high-risk areas and expanded into lower-volatility markets [7] Financial Performance - HRTG trades at a price-to-book value ratio of 1.87, above the industry average of 1.5, but holds a Value Score of A [11] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRTG's EPS for the third and fourth quarters of 2025 remains unchanged, with projected year-over-year increases in revenues and EPS for 2025 and 2026 [12][13]

Industry Overview - The property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry is facing challenges from rising catastrophic events and the Federal Reserve's first 2025 rate cut of 25 basis points, with two more cuts likely this year. However, growth prospects remain strong due to a shift toward personalized products and deeper customer engagement through digital innovation [1][3] - Insurers are maintaining profitability through higher premium volumes, solid policyholder retention, and expanding exposure across diverse business lines in a favorable rate environment [1] Company Analysis: Heritage Insurance Holdings (HRTG) - Heritage Insurance is focusing on profitability by maintaining rate adequacy, enforcing strict underwriting standards, and restricting new policy issuance in oversaturated markets. The company has ceased new personal lines policy writings in Florida and the Northeast since December 2022 but is cautiously restarting underwriting due to favorable legislative developments [4][5] - The company plans to re-enter high-margin markets while maintaining disciplined capital allocation and leveraging data-driven exposure management to foster sustainable long-term growth [5] - Heritage's excess and surplus (E&S) lines segment is a key growth catalyst, with a reinsurance framework designed to protect against catastrophic weather losses. The company anticipates a reduction in its ceded premium ratio due to cost-effective reinsurance arrangements [6] - Investments in technology infrastructure, including Guidewire Cloud and predictive modeling, are enhancing underwriting precision and claims handling. A $10 million share repurchase program has been authorized to enhance shareholder returns [7] Company Analysis: Kingstone Companies (KINS) - Kingstone Companies is strategically positioned in the Northeastern U.S. commercial insurance market, projected to expand by 12.3% through 2025. The company is focused on strengthening its regional foothold and increasing market share while exiting underperforming business lines [8][9] - KINS has effectively raised rates ahead of inflation, ensuring premium adequacy. Collaboration with Earnix has improved pricing precision, with expectations of direct written premiums growing between 15% and 20% in 2025 [10] - The company aims to lower net underwriting expense ratios through higher average premiums and streamlined staffing, anticipating an improved combined ratio of 79% to 83% in 2025 [11] - KINS has seen a significant improvement in profitability, with net margins expanding 2,560 basis points over the past two years. The company projects net income between $1.95 and $2.35 per share in 2025, with a return on equity expected to remain strong at 30%-38% [12][13] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRTG's 2025 EPS implies a year-over-year increase of 104%, while KINS' 2025 EPS indicates a 37.9% increase [14][16] - HRTG is trading at a price-to-book multiple of 1.85, while KINS' price-to-book multiple is at 2.22, both above their respective medians over the last five years [17] Conclusion - HRTG's growth is supported by a growing commercial residential business, expanded personal lines capacity, and solid earnings, while KINS is positioned to tap into a market opportunity of over $200 million through core business expansion and improved pricing [18][19] - HRTG has outperformed the industry with a year-to-date share gain of 89%, while KINS shares have lost 1.7%. HRTG appears to be a safer bet for higher returns [21]

Core Insights - Zhibao Technology Inc. is participating in significant investor events to enhance its visibility and shareholder base [1][3] Group 1: Upcoming Investor Events - The LD Micro Main Event XIX will take place from October 19-21, 2025, in San Diego, CA, featuring around 120 companies [2] - Zhibao will present on October 20th at 2:30 PM PT during the LD Micro Main Event [2] - The Skyline Signature Series Webinar is scheduled for November 13 at 12 PM ET, allowing Zhibao to communicate its story to financial professionals [3] Group 2: Company Overview - Zhibao Technology Inc. is a leading InsurTech company in China, providing digital insurance brokerage services [4] - The company pioneered the 2B2C digital embedded insurance model in China and launched its first digital insurance brokerage platform in 2020 [4] - Zhibao has developed over 40 proprietary digital insurance solutions across various industries, utilizing big data and AI technology for continuous improvement [5]

Core Insights - Heritage Insurance Holdings (HRTG) emphasizes prudent management of losses and loss adjustment expenses (LAE) as essential for underwriting profitability and long-term value creation [1] - The company is focusing on profitability through disciplined underwriting, rate adequacy, and cautious new business strategies in saturated markets [3] Financial Performance - Losses and LAE increased by 4.9% in 2024 but decreased by 15.8% in the first half of 2025, resulting in a net loss and LAE ratio of 44.2%, which improved by 1200 basis points year-over-year [2][8] - HRTG's shares have gained 111.9% year-to-date, outperforming the industry [7] Strategic Initiatives - The company is investing in technology, particularly in InsurTech, to enhance underwriting expertise and claims handling efficiency through initiatives like Guidewire Cloud adoption and advanced predictive modeling [4] - HRTG is committed to maintaining rate adequacy and using data analytics for effective exposure management [3][4] Competitive Landscape - Competitors like Kinsale Capital and Kingstone Companies also focus on managing losses and LAE to ensure profitability and investor confidence [5] - Kinsale's premium growth and disciplined underwriting have supported loss ratio improvements, while Kingstone's focus on core operations has been instrumental in its performance [6] Valuation Metrics - HRTG trades at a price-to-book value ratio of 2.08, above the industry average of 1.57, but holds a Value Score of A [9] - Consensus estimates for HRTG's EPS for 2025 and 2026 indicate year-over-year increases, with no movement in estimates over the past 30 days [11][12]

Core Insights - Heritage Insurance Holdings, Inc. (HRTG) shares closed at $24.84, above the 50-day moving average of $23, indicating a bullish trend with a 9.2% gain over the past three months, outperforming the industry and finance sector [1][7] Company Overview - HRTG is a super-regional U.S. property and casualty insurance holding company, well-positioned to benefit from prudent underwriting and rate adequacy initiatives implemented over the past three years [2] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for HRTG's 2025 and 2026 earnings implies a year-over-year increase of 104% and 3.1%, respectively, with a Growth Score of A [17] - Return on equity in the trailing 12 months was 33.4%, significantly higher than the industry average of 7.7%, indicating effective utilization of shareholders' equity [18] Strategic Focus - HRTG is focusing on profitability through rate adequacy and disciplined underwriting, while cautiously approaching growth in saturated markets [9] - The company has diversified its portfolio, with 71% of the total insured value located outside Florida, improving risk distribution and stabilizing claims trends [11] Market Position - HRTG's excess and surplus (E&S) segment is a central growth driver, supported by expansion into additional states and a robust reinsurance program [12] - The stock is currently trading at a price-to-book multiple of 2.01, higher than the industry average of 1.57, indicating it may be overvalued [19] Growth Potential - A growing commercial residential business, expanding personal lines capacity, and improving E&S business bode well for HRTG's growth, with an average target price of $31.50 reflecting a 26.8% upside potential [21]

Core Insights - InsurTech companies like ROOT Inc. and EverQuote Inc. are striving to innovate using advanced technologies but face challenges from market conditions and competition [1][2] ROOT Inc. Overview - ROOT operates primarily in the auto insurance market, utilizing telematics and data-driven pricing models for differentiation [3] - The company is focused on geographic expansion and targeted investments, with a steady increase in policies in force [3] - ROOT has managed fixed expenses while investing in marketing, with a key catalyst being the expected refinancing of its debt facility, projected to reduce interest expenses by 50% in 2025 [4] - The company has improved its net margin significantly, expanding by 15,350 basis points over the past three years, marking its first profitable year in 2024 [4][9] - ROOT has successfully lowered its gross loss ratio to below the long-term target of 60-65%, although elevated debt levels remain a concern [5] - The return on equity for ROOT stands at 38.24%, significantly higher than the industry average of 8.3% [6] EverQuote Inc. Overview - EverQuote is a leading online marketplace for insurance, connecting consumers with insurance providers and focusing on growth in property and casualty insurance [7] - The company anticipates benefiting from the recovery of auto insurance carrier demand and aims to expand into new verticals [8] - EverQuote projects revenues between $155 million and $160 million for Q3 2025, driven by increased consumer traffic and new advertising channels [8][9] - The company leverages AI-driven efficiency and a proprietary data platform to enhance operations and streamline workflows [11][12] - EverQuote has a debt-free balance sheet and has approved a $50 million share buyback program, with a return on equity of 36.9% [13] Financial Estimates - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for ROOT's 2025 revenues and EPS indicates a year-over-year increase of 16.4% and 43.4%, respectively [14] - For EverQuote, the estimates imply a 48.9% increase in revenues and a 30% increase in EPS for 2025 [15] - ROOT's price-to-book multiple is 6.38, while EverQuote's is 5.33, both above their respective medians over the last three years [16] Conclusion - ROOT aims to be the largest and most profitable company in the industry, focusing on technological advancements in pricing and underwriting [17] - EverQuote is positioned for long-term growth due to its exclusive data assets and strong financial profile [18] - Year-to-date stock performance shows ROOT shares have increased by 39.1%, while EverQuote shares have risen by 24.4% [18]