Shares of MGIC Investment Corporation ( MTG ) have been a solid performer over the past year, gaining about 8%, though shares have dropped about 10% from their highs recently. The Trump Administration has increasingly been focused on improving homeowner affordability, from potentially using 401(K)s forOver fifteen years of experience making contrarian bets based on my macro view and stock-specific turnaround stories to garner outsized returns with a favorable risk/reward profile. If you want me to cover a s ...

Group 1 - MGIC Investment Corporation (MTG) shares have performed well over the past year, gaining approximately 8%, although they have recently dropped about 10% from their highs [1] - The Trump Administration is focusing on improving homeowner affordability, which may include potential measures such as allowing the use of 401(K)s for home purchases [1]

TORONTO, Feb. 02, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Further to a statement released on December 3, 2025, Clairvest Group Inc. (TSX: CVG) (“CVG”), together with Clairvest Equity Partners VI (“CEP VI”, collectively “Clairvest”), announced today the closing of the merger between Acera Insurance Services Ltd. (“Acera” or the “Company”) and Navacord Corp. Acera’s CEO Lee Rogers, Chairman and EVP Andrew Kemp, the executive team and employee shareholders rolled a significant portion of their equity into the combined entity ...

Core Viewpoint - Palomar Holdings, Inc. is set to release its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on February 11, 2026, followed by a conference call on February 12, 2026, at 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time [1]. Group 1: Conference Call Details - The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-877-423-9813 for domestic callers and 1-201-689-8573 for international callers [2]. - A replay of the conference call will be available starting at 4:00 p.m. Eastern Time on February 12, 2026, and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921 for domestic callers and 1-412-317-6671 for international callers, with a passcode of 13758018 [2]. - The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. Eastern Time on February 19, 2026 [2]. Group 2: Company Overview - Palomar Holdings, Inc. is the holding company for several subsidiaries, including Palomar Specialty Insurance Company, Palomar Specialty Reinsurance Company Bermuda Ltd., and others, providing a range of insurance services [4]. - The company operates in five product categories: Earthquake, Inland Marine and Other Property, Casualty, Fronting, and Crop [4]. - Palomar's insurance subsidiaries have received an "A" (Excellent) financial strength rating from A.M. Best [4].

Core Viewpoint - Hamilton Insurance Group has promoted Moussa Thiam to Group Head of Compliance, effective January 1, 2026, highlighting the company's commitment to governance and regulatory oversight as a publicly listed entity [1][3]. Group Structure and Responsibilities - In his new role, Thiam will oversee compliance activities across Hamilton's global operations, ensuring consistent standards and a unified approach across underwriting platforms [2]. - Thiam will be based in London and report to Gemma Carreiro, Group General Counsel, while collaborating with senior leadership to integrate compliance into daily decision-making [2]. Leadership Commentary - Gemma Carreiro emphasized the importance of maintaining strong compliance standards in a complex regulatory environment, stating that the establishment of a group-wide compliance role reflects the scale of Hamilton's business and its commitment to governance [3]. - Carreiro also noted Thiam's significant impact and collaborative leadership style, which contributed to his promotion [4]. Thiam's Background - Thiam joined Hamilton in December 2024 as Head of Compliance for Hamilton Global Specialty and Hamilton Re, and has been involved in key compliance and regulatory initiatives [4]. - Prior to Hamilton, Thiam served as Head of Cross-Border & International Compliance at Beazley for seven years and held various compliance roles at MS Amlin, Financial Ombudsman Service, and Lloyd's Banking Group [4]. Company Overview - Hamilton Insurance Group is a Bermuda-based specialty insurance and reinsurance company that operates globally through its subsidiaries, with three underwriting platforms: Hamilton Global Specialty, Hamilton Select, and Hamilton Re [5].

Core Insights - State Farm has partnered with Trupanion to provide pet insurance, offering an accident and illness plan that covers various vet expenses but lacks a wellness plan for routine care [1][4][14] Pet Insurance Overview - The average cost of State Farm pet insurance is significantly higher than most competitors, with an average premium of $307.34 for unlimited annual coverage [2][19] - State Farm does not offer any discounts for pet insurance, including multi-pet discounts, which are commonly provided by other insurers [20] Coverage Details - State Farm's pet insurance includes unlimited annual coverage, a lifetime deductible, and 90% reimbursement for covered treatments [4][6] - The policy covers a range of illnesses and accidents, including broken bones, cancer, and allergies, but does not cover preexisting conditions [10][14] - Optional add-ons are available through Trupanion for additional coverage not included in the base policy [7] Claims and Payment - Trupanion handles all claims for State Farm pet insurance, with over 60% of direct vet payments made within 60 seconds and over 70% of manual claims paid within 24 hours [24] - Policyholders have 90 days from the date of treatment to submit a claim [23] Policy Management - State Farm does not require an initial exam to enroll in an accident and illness plan, but a dental exam is necessary for dental illness coverage [27] - Policyholders can adjust their coverage within specific timeframes after the policy's start date [22]

Core Viewpoint - Palomar Holdings, Inc. has successfully completed the acquisition of The Gray Casualty & Surety Company, enhancing its position in the surety sector and expanding its operational scale and geographic reach [1][3]. Acquisition Details - The acquisition of Gray Surety was effective as of January 31, 2026, and is expected to significantly strengthen Palomar's surety franchise [1][3]. - The transaction is part of Palomar's strategy to build a market leader in the surety sector, complementing its existing operations [3]. Financing Information - Palomar has secured new unsecured financing, which includes a $150 million revolving facility and a $300 million term loan [2]. - U.S. Bank National Association and KeyBank National Association acted as Joint Lead Arrangers and Joint Book Runners for the financing [2]. Company Overview - Palomar Holdings, Inc. operates through various subsidiaries, including Palomar Specialty Insurance Company and The Gray Casualty & Surety Company, among others [4]. - The company provides innovative specialty insurance across five product categories: Earthquake, Inland Marine and Other Property, Casualty, Fronting, and Crop [4]. - Palomar's insurance subsidiaries hold a financial strength rating of "A" (Excellent) from A.M. Best [4].

Core Viewpoint - EverQuote, Inc. will report its fourth quarter and full year 2025 financial results on February 23, 2026, and will host a conference call to discuss these results and the company's outlook [1]. Company Overview - EverQuote operates a leading online marketplace for insurance shopping, connecting consumers with insurance providers, including carriers and agents [2]. - The company's vision is to be the leading growth partner for property and casualty (P&C) insurance providers, utilizing a results-driven marketplace powered by proprietary data and technology [2].

Each week, we summarize notable moves across the financial industry.Will Danoff will be retiring at the end of the year after 40 years at Fidelity Investments Canada ULC, where he currently co-manages several Fidelity funds. His co-managers, Nidhi Gupta and Matt Drukker, who both joined Fidelity in 2008, will continue to co-manage the Fidelity Insights Strategy and Fidelity Global Growth and Value Strategy funds.Hatem Zarrouk has been appointed district vice-president at Mackenzie Investments. Zarrouk was p ...

Group 1: Market Overview - The start of 2026 has seen significant volatility in software stocks due to investor concerns about AI disrupting their businesses [1] - Despite the downturn in some high-profile stocks, the S&P 500 has managed a gain of about 2% year to date [1] Group 2: Investment Portfolio Insights - Top holdings for the company include Apple and Berkshire Hathaway, which are viewed as strong investments despite not matching market returns so far this year [2] - These investments are seen as a contrast to the speculative hype surrounding AI, providing a balanced portfolio [2] Group 3: Berkshire Hathaway Analysis - Berkshire Hathaway is down about 4% year to date, making it a more attractive buy compared to the beginning of the year [5] - The company has a significant cash position totaling about $378 billion, which is 36% of its total market capitalization, leading to a wait-and-see approach from the market [6] - Shares are trading at about 1.5 times their book value, indicating potential attractiveness for investors [7] - The conglomerate owns high-quality assets, including a diverse range of businesses and significant equity stakes in companies like American Express and Coca-Cola [7] - While earnings from the insurance business are cyclical, the company is well-positioned for long-term growth in earnings and book value [8]