Palomar Holdings, Inc. Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results
LA JOLLA, Calif., Aug. 04, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Palomar Holdings, Inc. (NASDAQ:PLMR) (“Palomar” or “Company”) reported net income of $52.6 million, or $1.94 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2026 compared to net income of $46.5 million, or $1.68 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025. Adjusted net income (1) was $63.8 million, or $2.36 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2026 as compared to $48.5 million, or $1.76 per diluted share, for the second quarter of 2025.
Second Quarter 2026 Highlights
(1) See discussion of “Non-GAAP and Key Performance Indicators” below.
Mac Armstrong, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer, commented, “The second quarter of 2026 was another strong one for Palomar; highlighted by record adjusted net income, our 15 th consecutive earnings beat and the third increase to our full-year adjusted net income guidance. Gross written premium increased 27% year-over-year, adjusted net income grew 31%, adjusted earnings per share grew 34%, adjusted combined ratio was 77% and our adjusted return on equity was 26% - all outstanding results. Bolstering our financial performance were several operational achievements including the launch of the PLMR.Farm, our innovative crop policy administration system, and exceptional new additions to our team. These results demonstrate our ability to execute in a dynamic insurance market while maintaining discipline in underwriting and capital allocation.
Mr. Armstrong continued, “Our strong and consistent earnings, attractive returns and healthy balance sheet provide ample capacity to not only invest in the businesses driving our Palomar 2X strategy but also return capital to shareholders. As such our Board authorized the introduction of a quarterly dividend of $0.45 per share. Importantly, the dividend does not change our growth strategy or the execution of Palomar 2X; it only enhances our ability to create shareholder value.”
Underwriting Results
Gross written premiums increased 27.0% to $630.5 million compared to $496.3 million in the second quarter of 2025, while net earned premiums increased 59.5% compared to the prior year’s second quarter.
Losses and loss adjustment expenses for the second quarter were $99.0 million, comprised of $99.4 million of attritional losses, offset by $0.4 million of favorable development on catastrophe events. The loss ratio for the quarter was 34.5%, comprised of an attritional loss ratio of 34.6% and a catastrophe loss ratio (1) of -0.1% compared to a loss ratio of 25.7% during the same period last year comprised entirely of attritional losses. Additionally, our second quarter results include $14.1 million of attritional and $0.2 million of catastrophe loss favorable prior year development. The majority of the attritional loss prior year favorability related to Inland Marine and Property lines and previous years’ Crop results.
Underwriting income (1) for the second quarter was $48.0 million resulting in a combined ratio of 83.3% compared to underwriting income of $38.3 million resulting in a combined ratio of 78.8% during the same period last year. The Company’s adjusted underwriting income (1) was $67.0 million, an increase of 38.4%, resulting in an adjusted combined ratio (1) of 76.7% in the second quarter compared to adjusted underwriting income (1) of $48.4 million and an adjusted combined ratio (1) of 73.1% during the same period last year. The Company’s adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses (1) was 76.8% compared to 73.1% during the same period last year.
Investment Results
Net investment income increased by 49.2% to $20.0 million compared to $13.4 million in the prior year’s second quarter. The increase was primarily due to higher yields on invested assets and a higher average balance of investments held during the three months ended June 30, 2026 due to cash generated from operations. The weighted average duration of the fixed-maturity investment portfolio, including cash equivalents, was 4.33 years at June 30, 2026. Cash and invested assets totaled $1.7 billion at June 30, 2026. During the second quarter, the Company recorded $6.8 million net realized and unrealized gains related to its investment portfolio as compared to net realized and unrealized gains of $8.3 million during the same period last year.
Tax Rate
The effective tax rate for the three months ended June 30, 2026 was 24.7% compared to 22.3% for the three months ended June 30, 2025. For the current quarter, the Company’s income tax rate differed from the statutory rate of 21% due primarily to the non-deductible executive compensation expense.
Stockholders’ Equity and Capital Matters
Stockholders’ equity was $980.9 million at June 30, 2026, compared to $847.2 million at June 30, 2025. For the three months ended June 30, 2026, the Company’s annualized return on equity was 21.7% compared to 22.7% for the same period in the prior year while adjusted return on equity (1) was 26.3% compared to 23.7% for the same period in the prior year.
During the current quarter, the Company repurchased 368,719 shares of its common stock for $41.0 million.
On July 30, 2026, the Company’s Board of Directors declared an initial quarterly cash dividend of $0.45 per share of common stock, payable on September 2, 2026, to stockholders of record as of August 19, 2026.
Full Year 2026 Outlook
For the full year 2026, the Company expects to achieve adjusted net income of $270 million to $280 million. This includes an estimate of $8 million to $12 million of catastrophe losses for the year.
Conference Call
As previously announced, Palomar will host a conference call on Wednesday, August 5, 2026, to discuss its second quarter 2026 results at 12:00 p.m. (Eastern Time). The conference call can be accessed live by dialing 1-877-423-9813 or for international callers, 1-201-689-8573, and requesting to be joined to the Palomar Second Quarter 2026 Earnings Conference Call. A replay will be available starting at 4:00 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 5, 2026, and can be accessed by dialing 1-844-512-2921, or for international callers, 1-412-317-6671. The passcode for the replay is 13761138. The replay will be available until 11:59 p.m. (Eastern Time) on August 19, 2026.
Interested investors and other parties may also listen to a simultaneous webcast of the conference call by logging onto the investor relations section of the Company’s website at http://ir.palomarspecialty.com/. The online replay will remain available for a limited time beginning immediately following the call.
About Palomar Holdings, Inc.
Palomar Holdings, Inc. is the holding company of subsidiaries Palomar Specialty Insurance Company (“PSIC”), Palomar Specialty Reinsurance Company Bermuda Ltd. (“PSRE”), Palomar Insurance Agency, Inc., Palomar Excess and Surplus Insurance Company (“PESIC”), Palomar Underwriters Exchange Organization, Inc. (“PUEO”), First Indemnity of America Insurance Co. (“FIA”), Palomar Crop Insurance Services, Inc. (“PCIS”), and Palomar Casualty and Surety Company (“PCSC”). Palomar’s consolidated results also include Laulima Exchange (“Laulima”), a variable interest entity for which the Company is the primary beneficiary. Palomar is an innovative specialty insurer serving residential and commercial clients in five product categories: Earthquake, Inland Marine and Property, Casualty, Surety & Credit, and Crop. Palomar’s insurance subsidiaries, PSIC, PSRE, PESIC, and FIA have a financial strength rating of “A” (Excellent) from A.M. Best and PCSC has a financial strength rating of “A-” (Excellent) from A.M. Best.
To learn more, visit PLMR.com.
Non-GAAP and Key Performance Indicators
Palomar discusses certain key performance indicators, described below, which provide useful information about the Company’s business and the operational factors underlying the Company’s financial performance. Management uses these non-GAAP measures internally to evaluate the Company’s underlying business performance and operating results, and to make resource allocation and strategic decisions. Management believes that disclosure of these measures provides investors with the same insight used internally to assess the Company’s operating performance.
Underwriting revenue is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as total revenue, excluding net investment income and net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of total revenue calculated in accordance with GAAP to underwriting revenue.
Underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as income before income taxes excluding net investment income, net realized and unrealized gains and losses on investments, and interest expense. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of income before income taxes calculated in accordance with GAAP to underwriting income.
Adjusted net income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as net income excluding the impact of certain items that may not be indicative of underlying business trends, operating results, or future outlook, net of tax impact. Palomar calculates the tax impact only on adjustments which would be included in calculating the Company’s income tax expense using the estimated tax rate at which the company received a deduction for these adjustments. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of net income calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted net income.
Annualized Return on equity is net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period.
Annualized adjusted return on equity is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted net income expressed on an annualized basis as a percentage of average beginning and ending stockholders’ equity during the period. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of return on equity calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to adjusted return on equity.
Loss ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of losses and loss adjustment expenses, to net earned premiums.
Expense ratio, expressed as a percentage, is the ratio of acquisition and other underwriting expenses, net of commission and other income to net earned premiums.
Combined ratio is defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio. A combined ratio under 100% generally indicates an underwriting profit. A combined ratio over 100% generally indicates an underwriting loss.
Adjusted combined ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as the sum of the loss ratio and the expense ratio calculated excluding the impact of certain items that may not be indicative of underlying business trends, operating results, or future outlook. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of combined ratio calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to adjusted combined ratio.
Diluted adjusted earnings per share is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted net income divided by the weighted-average common shares outstanding for the period, reflecting the dilution which could occur if equity-based awards are converted into common share equivalents as calculated using the treasury stock method. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of diluted earnings per share calculated in accordance with GAAP to diluted adjusted earnings per share.
Catastrophe loss ratio is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as the ratio of catastrophe losses to net earned premiums. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of loss ratio calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to catastrophe loss ratio.
Adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as adjusted combined ratio excluding the impact of catastrophe losses. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of combined ratio calculated using unadjusted GAAP numbers to adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses.
Adjusted underwriting income is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as underwriting income excluding the impact of certain items that may not be indicative of underlying business trends, operating results, or future outlook. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of income before income taxes calculated in accordance with GAAP to adjusted underwriting income.
Tangible stockholders’ equity is a non-GAAP financial measure defined as stockholders’ equity less goodwill and intangible assets. See “Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures” for a reconciliation of stockholders’ equity calculated in accordance with GAAP to tangible stockholders’ equity.
Safe Harbor Statement
Palomar cautions you that statements contained in this press release may regard matters that are not historical facts but are forward-looking statements. These statements are based on the company’s current beliefs and expectations. The inclusion of forward-looking statements should not be regarded as a representation by Palomar that any of its plans will be achieved. Actual results may differ from those set forth in this press release due to the risks and uncertainties inherent in the Company’s business. The forward-looking statements are typically, but not always, identified through use of the words “believe,” “expect,” “enable,” “may,” “will,” “could,” “intends,” “estimate,” “anticipate,” “plan,” “predict,” “probable,” “potential,” “possible,” “should,” “continue,” and other words of similar meaning. Actual results could differ materially from the expectations contained in forward-looking statements as a result of several factors, including unexpected expenditures and costs, unexpected results or delays in development and regulatory review, regulatory approval requirements, the frequency and severity of adverse events and competitive conditions. These and other factors that may result in differences are discussed in greater detail in the Company’s filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. You are cautioned not to place undue reliance on these forward-looking statements, which speak only as of the date hereof, and the Company undertakes no obligation to update such statements to reflect events that occur or circumstances that exist after the date hereof. All forward-looking statements are qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement, which is made under the safe harbor provisions of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Contact
Media Inquiries
Lindsay Conner
1-551-206-6217
lconner@plmr.com
Investor Relations
Jamie Lillis
1-203-428-3223
investors@plmr.com
Source: Palomar Holdings, Inc.
Summary of Operating Results:
The following tables summarize the Company’s results for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025:
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Condensed Consolidated Balance sheets
Condensed Consolidated Income Statement
Underwriting Segment Data
The Company has a single reportable segment and offers specialty insurance products. Gross written premiums (“GWP”) by product, location and company are presented below:
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Gross and net earned premiums
The table below shows the amount of premiums the Company earned on a gross and net basis and the Company’s net earned premiums as a percentage of gross earned premiums for each period presented:
Loss detail
The following table represents a reconciliation of changes in the ending reserve balances for losses and loss adjustment expenses:
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Reconciliation of Non-GAAP Financial Measures
For the three and six months ended June 30, 2026 and 2025, the Non-GAAP financial measures discussed above reconcile to their most comparable GAAP measures as follows:
Underwriting revenue
Underwriting income and adjusted underwriting income
Adjusted net income
Annualized adjusted return on equity
Adjusted combined ratio
Diluted adjusted earnings per share
Catastrophe loss ratio
Adjusted combined ratio excluding catastrophe losses
Tangible Stockholders’ equity