Stocks analysis

ACGL vs AFL Stock Comparison

Scores Breakdown

Metric ACGL AFL
📈 Growth 14/30 6/30
💰 Profitability 16/20 10/20
🏦 Financial Health 19/20 18/20
💵 Valuation 12/20 14/20
⚠️ Risk (lower is better) 3/10 6/10
Overall Score 68/100 52/100

Side-by-Side Summaries

ACGL Analysis AFL Analysis

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

Across the 8 most recent quarters (Q1 2026 through Q2 2024), ARCH Capital's revenues edged from about $4.521B to $4.229B, a decline of roughly 6-7%. Net income moved from about $1.047B to $0.988B, a modest downshift. The trajectory shows quarterly fluctuations but an overall stable earnings base, with operating income around $1.1B+ in most periods.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Margins hovered in the mid-20% range (roughly 21–26%), and operating margins were similar, signaling disciplined costs and underwriting leverage. Cash flow: operating cash flow was robust in most quarters (e.g., Q1 2026 continuing ops of $1.189B; Q4 2025 around $1.404B), while investing and financing activities were frequently negative, reflecting asset deployment and capital returns. In Q1 2026, net cash flow was -$0.286B due to financing outflows.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets around $81.4B in Q1 2026, with current liabilities around $57.3B; current ratio ~1.4x. Equity near $24.2B and noncurrent liabilities essentially zero, implying strong liquidity and flexibility.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Underwriting strength and capital management; steady demand for risk transfer.
  • Risks: Catastrophe exposure and rate sensitivity; interest-rate and valuation sensitivity.

📈 Growth & Financial Trajectory

The eight quarterly results show a mixed growth path. Start: revenues of $5.138B in 2024 Q2 and end: $4.346B in 2026 Q1, a decline of about 15%. Net income moved from $1.755B in 2024 Q2 to $1.019B in 2026 Q1, down roughly 42%. Notable quarter-to-quarter swings include a robust Q4 2024 and steady early-2025 quarters, but the overall trend is inconsistent, with revenue occasionally bouncing on seasonal/one-offs while earnings remain volatile. Operating income remained strong in several periods (around $3.0–$3.4B on mid-single to low-double-digit revenue), suggesting earnings power when volume picks up, but not a clear, sustained growth trajectory.

💰 Margins & Cash Flow

Margins vary meaningfully by quarter; reported operating income margins range widely, reflecting unusual items and mix. Net cash from operating activities was solid in several quarters (e.g., $589M in 2025 Q1 and $968M in 2026 Q1) but softer in others (e.g., $315M in 2025 Q4). Investing and financing activities can create negative free cash flow in some periods, yielding an uneven cash flow signal despite positive operating cash in many quarters.

🛡️ Balance Sheet & Liquidity

Assets typically sit around $116–$122B, with Liabilities in the $86–$93B range and Equity near $26–$30B, indicating reasonable leverage and strong liquidity. The structure supports resilience across varying earnings seasons, though reported items occasionally show anomalies in current liabilities.

⚠️ Key Drivers & Risks

  • Drivers: Interest-rate environment; demand for life/health insurance and annuities.
  • Risks: Earnings volatility from taxes and one-offs; potential margin compression and inconsistent free cash flow.