Growth investors focus on stocks that are seeing above-average financial growth, as this feature helps these securities garner the market's attention and deliver solid returns. However, it isn't easy to find a great growth stock.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, it's pretty easy to find cutting-edge growth stocks with the help of the Zacks Growth S ...

Investors have been drawn to Progressive (PGR -0.08%) stock lately, in part because the insurer posted some encouraging numbers in its first-quarter earnings report. There's a price to pay for popularity, however.At the moment, on several valuation metrics, Progressive is more expensive than several well-known peers. Yet, you have to pay a premium for quality, and this applies in Progressive's case.An insurer that's been ensuring growthInsurance companies that offer auto coverage -- a Progressive strength - ...

Core Viewpoint - The Progressive Corporation (PGR) has shown a year-to-date share price increase of 10.7%, which is below the industry average of 13.5% but outperforms the Finance sector and the S&P 500 composite's declines of 0.9% and 8.9% respectively [1] Company Overview - PGR is one of the largest auto insurance groups in the U.S., leading in motorcycle and boat policies, commercial auto insurance, and ranking among the top 15 homeowners carriers based on written premiums [2] Stock Performance - PGR shares are currently trading below the 50-day moving average, indicating a bearish trend [5] - The average target price for PGR, based on 18 analysts, is $298.39 per share, suggesting a potential upside of 12.5% from the last closing price [21] Financial Metrics - PGR's price-to-book (P/B) ratio is 5.37, significantly higher than the industry average of 1.62, which is justified by its market-leading position and growth prospects [11] - Return on equity for the trailing 12 months is 33.5%, compared to the industry's 8.3%, indicating efficient use of shareholders' funds [23] - Return on invested capital (ROIC) for the trailing 12 months is 17.5%, outperforming the industry average of 6.4% [25] Growth Prospects - PGR is expected to grow due to strategic initiatives such as prioritizing auto bundles, reducing exposure to risky properties, and enhancing product segmentation [13] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for PGR's 2025 earnings is $15.70 per share, reflecting an 11.7% increase from the previous year, while the estimate for 2026 is $15.91 per share, indicating a 1.4% year-over-year increase [20] Analyst Sentiment - Recent analyst activity shows three analysts have raised earnings estimates for 2025 and five for 2026, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 moving up by 0.8% and for 2026 by 1% [19] Operational Efficiency - PGR has maintained a combined ratio averaging less than 93% over the past decade, which is favorable compared to the industry average of over 100% [15] - The company has been improving its book value and gradually decreasing leverage, although its leverage remains above the industry average [16][18] Market Position - PGR's strong market presence, effective pricing strategy, and sound underwriting standards are expected to support the continued strength of its shares [27] - The company has a compelling product portfolio and has implemented digitalization strategies, including AI adoption, to enhance operational efficiency [14]

Group 1 - The Progressive Corporation (NYSE: PGR) has shown strong performance over the past year, with a gain of 27% [1] - Despite a market sell-off, PGR has managed to retain most of its gains, indicating resilience [1] - The company has a history of making contrarian bets based on macro views and stock-specific turnaround stories to achieve favorable risk/reward profiles [1]

What the stock market gives, the stock market can take away. A mere one day after Progressive (PGR -3.53%) delivered first-quarter results that satisfied investors, a recommendation downgrade by an analyst on Thursday made the stock something of a pariah.It closed that session almost 4% lower, on a day when the benchmark S&P 500 index managed to crawl 0.1% higher.Going down with a downgradeI should mention that several analysts weighed in with bullish takes on Progressive's earnings on Thursday, with no les ...

In late-session trading Wednesday, investors were collectively see-sawing on their reaction to Progressive's (PGR -0.25%) first-quarter earnings release. That was understandable, as the company convincingly beat the consensus analyst for revenue, but posted weaker-than-expected net income.That indecision basically left the insurer's stock flat compared to Tuesday's closing price, but at least it was doing better than the bellwether S&P 500 index's 3%-plus drop.A mixed first quarterFor the inaugural quarter ...

Core Insights - The Progressive Corporation reported first-quarter 2025 earnings per share of $4.65, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.72, but showing a year-over-year increase of 24.6% [1] Financial Performance - Net premiums written reached $22.2 billion, a 17% increase from $19 billion a year ago [1] - Net premiums earned grew by 20% to $19.4 billion, surpassing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $19.2 billion [1] - Operating revenues increased by 20.7% year over year to $20.6 billion, driven by a 20.2% rise in net premiums earned, a 31.7% increase in net investment income, a 21.6% rise in fees, and a 32.1% increase in service revenue, beating the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.4 billion [2] - Total expenses rose by 20.1% to $64.7 billion, due to a 16.7% increase in losses and loss adjustment expenses, an 18.2% rise in policy acquisition costs, and a 40.8% surge in other underwriting expenses [2] - The net realized loss on securities was $212 million, compared to a gain of $156 million in the same quarter last year [3] - The combined ratio improved by 10 basis points to 86% from the prior-year quarter [3] Policy Growth - Policies in force in the Personal Lines segment increased by 18% year over year to 35.1 million [4] - The Personal Auto segment saw Agency Auto policies increase by 18% to 10.1 million and Direct Auto policies rise by 25% to 14.8 million [4] - The Commercial Auto segment policies rose by 6% year over year to 1.2 million, while the Property business had 3.6 million policies in force, up 11% [4] Financial Metrics - Progressive's book value per share was $49.39 as of March 30, 2025, up 32.6% from $33.80 a year earlier [5] - Return on equity was 39.3% in March 2025, an increase from 34% reported in the previous year [5] - The total debt-to-total capital ratio improved by 480 basis points to 19.2% [5] Market Position - Progressive currently holds a Zacks Rank 2 (Buy) [6]

For the quarter ended March 2025, Progressive (PGR) reported revenue of $20.62 billion, up 20.7% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $4.65, compared to $3.73 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of +1.24% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $20.37 billion. With the consensus EPS estimate being $4.72, the EPS surprise was -1.48%.While investors closely watch year-over-year changes in headline numbers -- revenue and earnings -- and how they compare to Wall Street expe ...

Progressive (PGR) came out with quarterly earnings of $4.65 per share, missing the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $4.72 per share. This compares to earnings of $3.73 per share a year ago. These figures are adjusted for non-recurring items.This quarterly report represents an earnings surprise of -1.48%. A quarter ago, it was expected that this insurer would post earnings of $3.43 per share when it actually produced earnings of $4.08, delivering a surprise of 18.95%.Over the last four quarters, the company has s ...

Insurance provider expands Motor Truck Cargo coverage to offer broader protection MAYFIELD VILLAGE, Ohio, April 16, 2025 /PRNewswire/ -- Progressive Insurance today announced the launch of Cargo Plus, a new endorsement that expands Motor Truck Cargo coverage purchased by for-hire truckers and other eligible customers. Motor Truck Cargo coverage offers protection in the event a trucker is legally liable for damage to covered property while in the trucker's exclusive physical custody and control. The new Carg ...