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Enact Holdings (ACT) Risk Analysis
Risk Overview Q2, 2026
Risk Change Over Time
- Debt & Financing - Risk 1Interest rates and changes Changes in interest rates could materially adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
Rising interest rates generally reduce the volume of new mortgage originations and refinances. A decline in the volume of new or refinance mortgage originations would have an adverse effect on our NIW, which may in turn decrease our earned premiums. Higher interest rates can lead to an increase in defaults as borrowers at risk of default will find it harder to qualify for a replacement loan. The significant increases in mortgage rates during 2022 and 2023 caused a decline in the mortgage insurance market, which reduced our NIW. This impact is offset by higher persistency on our existing insured loans since the prevailing market interest rate is above the loan interest rate of the majority of our portfolio. Despite a trend of declining rates during the second half of 2025, future rate changes and the impact on our premium and NIW is difficult to predict. Declining interest rates historically increase the rate at which borrowers refinance their existing mortgages, thereby resulting in cancellations of the mortgage insurance covering existing loans. Declining interest rates can contribute to home price appreciation, which may provide borrowers with the option of cancelling mortgage insurance coverage earlier than we anticipate when we price that coverage. Lower primary persistency rates can result in reduced IIF and earned premiums, which could have a significant adverse impact on our results of operations. In addition, interest rate fluctuations could also have an adverse effect on the results of our investment portfolio. In periods of elevated interest rates, the market value of lower yielding instruments declines, driving substantial unrealized losses in our portfolio. While we intend to hold securities in an unrealized loss position until maturity so as to realize their book value, pressure to sell securities in an unrealized loss position could drive realized losses and impact future earnings. This impact is partially offset by higher yields on new securities purchased. During periods of declining market interest rates, the interest we receive on variable interest rate investments decreases. In addition, during those periods, we reinvest the cash we receive as interest or return of principal on our investments in lower-yielding high-grade instruments or in lower-credit investment grade instruments to maintain comparable returns. Issuers of fixed-income securities may also decide to prepay their obligations in order to borrow at lower market rates, which exacerbates the risk that we have to invest the cash proceeds of these securities in lower-yielding or lower-credit investment grade instruments. See "Item 7A. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk" for additional information about interest rate risk.
Risk Highlights Q2, 2026
Risk Word Cloud
Risk Factors Full Breakdown - Total Risks 38
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 1Changes to the charters or practices of the GSEs, including actions or decisions to decrease or discontinue the use of mortgage insurance, could adversely affect our business, results of operations and financial condition.
The requirements and practices of the GSEs impact the operating results and financial performance of GSE-approved mortgage insurers. Changes in the charters or practices of the GSEs could materially reduce the number of mortgages they purchase that are insured by us. The GSEs could be directed to make such changes by the FHFA, which was appointed as their conservator in September 2008 and has the authority to control and direct the operations of the GSEs. With the GSEs in a prolonged conservatorship, there has been ongoing debate over the future role and purpose of the GSEs in the United States housing market. Congress may legislate, or the Administration may implement through administrative reform, structural and other changes to the GSEs and the functioning of the secondary mortgage market. There have been numerous legislative proposals intended to incrementally scale back the GSEs (such as a statutory mandate for the GSEs to transfer mortgage credit risk to the private sector) or to completely reform the United States housing finance system. Congress, however, has not enacted any legislation to date. The proposals vary as to the government's role in the housing market, and more specifically, with regard to the existence of an explicit or implicit government guarantee. In the absence of legislation or actions by the Administration, the FHFA continues to move forward on administrative reform efforts to prepare the GSEs for the end of conservatorship, once fully and adequately capitalized. Collectively, FHFA and the United States Treasury Department (the "Treasury Department") possess significant capacity to effect administrative GSE reforms. As part of the process to potentially end the conservatorships of the GSEs, the FHFA promulgated a final rule in 2020 imposing a new capital framework on the GSEs, including risk-based and leverage capital requirements and capital buffers in excess of regulatory minimums that can be drawn down in periods of financial stress (the "Enterprise Capital Framework"). The Enterprise Capital Framework became effective on February 16, 2021. However, the GSEs will not be subject to any requirement under the Enterprise Capital Framework until the applicable compliance date. Compliance with the Enterprise Capital Framework, other than the requirements to maintain a prescribed capital conservation buffer amount ("PCCBA") and a prescribed leverage buffer amount ("PLBA"), is required on the later of (i) the date of termination of the conservatorship of a GSE and (ii) any later compliance date provided in a consent order or other transition order applicable to such GSE. FHFA contemplates that the compliance dates for the PCCBA and the PLBA will be the date of termination of the conservatorship of a GSE. The Enterprise Capital Framework's advanced approaches requirements will be delayed until a compliance date provided by a transition order applicable to such GSE. The Enterprise Capital Framework significantly increases capital requirements and reduces capital credit on CRT transactions as compared to the previous framework. This final rule could accelerate the recent diversification of the GSE's risk transfer programs to encompass a broader array of instruments beyond private mortgage insurance, which could adversely impact our business. Also, in preparation for the end of the FHFA's conservatorship of the GSEs, the FHFA promulgated a final rule, effective in 2021, that required the GSEs to develop plans that would facilitate their rapid and orderly resolution in the event FHFA is appointed as their receiver. On January 14, 2021, the FHFA and the Treasury Department agreed to amend the preferred stock purchase agreements ("PSPAs") between the Treasury Department and each of the GSEs to increase the amount of capital each GSE may retain. Among other things, the amendments to the PSPAs limit the number of certain mortgages the GSEs may acquire with two or more prescribed risk factors, including certain mortgages with combined LTV ratios above 90%. However, on September 14, 2021, the FHFA and Treasury Department suspended certain provisions of the amendments to the PSPAs, including the limit on the number of mortgages with two or more risk factors that the GSEs may acquire. Such suspensions end six months after the Treasury Department notifies the GSEs of termination. The limit on the number of mortgages with two or more risk factors was based on the market size at the time. While we do not expect any material impact to the private mortgage market, changes in the provisions or enforcement of this rule could impact our results of operations. On January 2, 2025, the FHFA and Treasury agreed to again amend the PSPAs between the Treasury and each of the GSEs to establish a methodical process for eventual public input on the termination of conservatorship to minimize disruption to the housing and financial markets. The adoption of any GSE reform, whether through legislation or administrative action, could impact the current role of private mortgage insurance as credit enhancement, which would have an adverse effect on our business, revenue, results of operations and financial condition. At present, it is uncertain what role private capital, including mortgage insurance, will play in the United States residential housing finance system in the future or the impact any changes to that system could have on our business. Any changes to the charters or statutory authorities of the GSEs would require congressional action to implement. Any such changes that come to pass could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. In recent years, the FHFA has set goals for the GSEs to transfer significant portions of the GSEs' mortgage credit risk to the private sector; however, the timing of these goals could change. This mandate builds upon the goals set in recent years for the GSEs to increase the role of private capital by experimenting with different forms of transactions and structures. We participate in these CRT programs developed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac. The GSEs have in the past piloted and may in the future attempt to launch alternative products or transactions that compete with private mortgage insurance. To the extent these credit risk products evolve in a manner that displaces primary mortgage insurance coverage, the amount of insurance we write may be reduced. It is difficult to predict the impact of alternative CRT products that are developed to meet the goals established by the FHFA. In addition, the Enterprise Capital Framework that was promulgated on December 17, 2020 may impact the CRT programs developed by Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac and/or the role of private mortgage insurance as credit enhancement by potentially accelerating the recent diversification of the GSEs' risk transfer programs to encompass a broader array of instruments, beyond private mortgage insurance. Fannie Mae and Freddie Mac also possess substantial market power, which enables them to influence our business and the mortgage insurance industry in general, the results of which could have a material adverse effect on our business, results of operations and financial condition.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 2Genworth's continued ownership of at least 80% of our common stock may limit our ability to raise additional capital by issuing common stock to third parties.
We currently join in the filing of a United States consolidated income tax return of which Genworth is the common parent (the "Genworth Consolidated Group") with our other insurance and non-insurance affiliates. As a consequence, we will pay Genworth our share of the consolidated income tax liability when we have taxable income or receive benefit for losses we contribute and which are utilized by the Genworth Consolidated Group. As a condition to us remaining a member of the Genworth Consolidated Group, Genworth generally must continue to possess at least 80% of the total voting power and total value of our stock. Accordingly, while we will have the ability to raise additional capital through certain preferred stock or other means, we will be limited in our ability to raise additional capital by issuing common stock to third parties without leaving Genworth's consolidated group, which Genworth may not permit. We may also be limited pursuant to restrictions imposed by insurance regulators, GSEs and any limitations under intercompany agreements. This limitation on our ability to raise additional capital through the issuance of common stock could have a material adverse impact on our business, results of operations and financial condition. Genworth's high ownership percentage risk may also impact our stock price as price volatility may be greater if the public float and trading volume of shares of our common stock are low.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 3Genworth has the ability to exert significant influence over us and our corporate decisions.
Genworth continues to beneficially own at least 80% of our common stock. As a result, Genworth controls all matters requiring a stockholder vote, including: the election of directors; mergers, consolidations and acquisitions; the sale of all or substantially all of our assets and other decisions affecting our capital structure; the amendment of our amended and restated certificate of incorporation and our amended and restated bylaws; and our winding up and dissolution. This concentration of ownership may delay, deter or prevent acts that would be favored by our other stockholders, including a change in control of the Company. Also, Genworth may seek to cause us to take courses of action that, in its judgment, could enhance its investment in us, but which might involve risks to our other stockholders or adversely affect us or our other stockholders. However, any dividends or other capital transactions must be approved by our Independent Capital Committee, which is composed entirely of independent directors. We also have entered into a registration rights agreement with Genworth, which will give Genworth a right, subject to certain conditions, to require us to register the sale of our common stock beneficially owned by Genworth. So long as Genworth continues to beneficially own more than 50% of our outstanding common stock, Genworth will have certain rights, including the right to nominate the majority of our directors. Certain of these directors may be officers or employees of Genworth or its other subsidiaries. Because of their current or former positions with Genworth or its other subsidiaries, these directors own amounts of Genworth's common stock and options to purchase Genworth's common stock. Ownership interests of our directors or officers in Genworth's common stock, or service of certain of our directors as officers of Genworth or certain of Genworth's other subsidiaries, may generate, or create the appearance of, conflicts of interest when such director or officer is faced with a decision that could have different implications for the two companies. In addition, we have entered into agreements with Genworth and its subsidiaries that provide a framework for our ongoing relationship, including a Master Agreement, a registration rights agreement, a Shared Services Agreement, an intellectual property cross license agreement and a transitional trademark license agreement. Disagreements regarding the rights and obligations of Genworth or certain of Genworth's other subsidiaries or us under each of these agreements or any renegotiation of their terms could create conflicts of interest for certain of these directors and officers, as well as actual disputes that may be resolved in a manner unfavorable to us and our other stockholders. Interruptions to or problems with services provided under the Shared Services Agreement could result in conflicts between us and Genworth or its other subsidiaries that increase our costs both for the processing of business and the potential remediation of disputes. Although we believe these agreements contain commercially reasonable terms, the terms of these agreements may prove not to be in the best interests of our future stockholders.
- Share Price & Shareholder Rights - Risk 4Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation contains exclusive forum provisions, which could limit our stockholders' ability to choose the judicial forum for disputes with us or our directors, officers or employees.
Our amended and restated certificate of incorporation provides that, unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware shall be the sole and exclusive forum for most actions relating to the Company, our current or former directors, officers, stockholders, employees or agents to us or our stockholders. Unless we consent in writing to the selection of an alternative forum, the federal district courts of the United States of America shall, to the fullest extent permitted by law, be the sole and exclusive forum for the resolution of any complaint asserting a cause of action arising under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the "Securities Act"). This exclusive forum provision does not preclude or reduce the scope of exclusive federal or concurrent jurisdiction for any actions brought under the Securities Act. This exclusive forum provision does not apply to actions arising under the Exchange Act of 1934 (the "Exchange Act"). Our exclusive forum provision does not relieve us of our duties to comply with the federal securities laws and the rules and regulations thereunder, and our stockholders are not deemed to have waived our compliance with these laws, rules and regulations. Any person or entity purchasing or otherwise acquiring or holding any interest in any of our securities shall be deemed to have notice of and consented to this provision. This exclusive-forum provision may limit a stockholder's ability to bring a claim in a judicial forum of its choosing for disputes with us or our directors, officers or other employees, which may discourage lawsuits against us and our directors, officers and other employees. If a court were to find the exclusive-forum provision in our amended and restated certificate of incorporation to be inapplicable or unenforceable in an action, we may incur additional costs associated with resolving the dispute in other jurisdictions, which could harm our results of operations.
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