Friday, June 6, 2014

MGIC Investment Gains 14% on Surprise Profit

MGIC Investment (MTG) was not to supposed to turn a profit during the quarter. If the analysts were right, the mortgage insurer’s second-quarter profit was supposed to be a blip and MGIC would return to its money-losing ways.

Associated Press

That’s not quite what happened. MGIC reported a profit of 4 cents a share versus forecasts for a loss of 10 cents, according to FactSet and MGIC’s shares popped 14% to $8.29.

Its big day has also boosted other insurers. Radian Group (RDN) has risen 7.2% to $14.39, while Old Republic International (ORI) has advanced 2.1% to $15.24, Genworth Financial (GNW) is up 3.6% at $13.41 and MBIA Inc. (MBI) has jumped 4.3% to $10.76.

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Susquehanna’s Jack Micenko credits a better economy with boosting earnings:

The beat was driven by lower loss reserving – $180 mln versus our estimate of $225 and the consensus estimate of $240, as favorable economic trends helped drive their default book claim rate and severity lower…

Micenko expects MGIC’s shares to hit $13, a 57% gain from its current price.

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