February 27, 2025
Top 10 Stock Selective Insurance Strong Buy Recommendation



How to read the ranks

For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:

Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".

Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".

Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.

Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.

(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).

(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.

Snapshot: Selective Insurance – Top 10 Stock in Dow Jones U.S. Insurance Index


selective.com


Selective Insurance is listed as a top 10 stock on February 27, 2025 in the market index D.J. US Insurance because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment from a financial fact perspective where only investor sentiment is a reason for caution. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 80 (top 80% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Selective Insurance on February 27, 2025.


Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks


Country USA
Industry Property & Casualty Insurance
Index Customer Focus US, NASDAQ, D.J. US Insurance, S&P MIDCAP
Size class X-Large
Latest Research


Top 10 Stocks ≠ most popular stocks

When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).

For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).


360° View: Obermatt 360° View Selective Insurance Strong Buy

360 METRICS February 27, 2025
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
SENTIMENT
SENTIMENT
360° VIEW
360° VIEW

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 80 (better than 80% compared with alternatives) for 2022, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Selective Insurance are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with three out of four indicators above average for Selective Insurance. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 81, which means that the share price of Selective Insurance is on the lower side compared with the typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 81% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 51, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. The company is also safely financed with a Safety Rank of 86. But the professional market sentiment is below average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of only 4. Professional investors are more confident in 96% other stocks. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 80, Selective Insurance is better positioned than 80% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Value Rank of 81), above-average growth (Growth Rank of 51), and safe financing practices (Safety Rank of 86), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely, unless information not publicly available. Only the professional market sentiment is on the riskier side (Sentiment Rank of 4), but that could also mean an overreaction to negative news in the past. Good value is sometimes an indication that the company's future is challenging. If they have been enjoying above average growth and are still a good value, this may not continue. We recommend evaluating whether the future of Selective Insurance is as challenging as the low price of the stock despite good growth and safe financing practices suggest. Since the professional community is pessimistic, you may want to reflect these negative opinions in light of what you find reasonable to expect for the future. If you believe this pessimistic view is transitory, you have a solid investment case based on current financial factors. ...read more




Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Selective Insurance negative

SENTIMENT METRICS February 27, 2025
ANALYST OPINION
ANALYST OPINION
OPINIONS CHANGE
OPINIONS CHANGE
PRO HOLDINGS
PRO HOLDINGS
MARKET PULSE
MARKET PULSE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SENTIMENT

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 4 (better than 4% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Selective Insurance is critical, mostly below average. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Selective Insurance. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 35 (worse than 65% of alternative investments), which means that currently, stock research analysts tend to warn against investing in the stock of the company. Worse, Analyst Opinions Change has a rank of 6 which means that stock research experts are getting even more pessimistic. It doesn't end with the analysts. Market Pulse is also low with a rank of 23, which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the negative side when discussing this company (more negative news than for 77% of competitors). No wonder, the Professional Investors rank is only 12, which means that professional investors hold less stock in this company than in 88% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to stay away from Selective Insurance, which may be due to a small company size but just as likely because of its relatively low Sentiment Rank. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 4 (less encouraging than 96% compared with investment alternatives), Selective Insurance has a reputation among professional investors that is far below that of its competitors. Investors should be careful with this stock right now. Further research is required if an investment is desired, because the facts found in the professional community are all negative. ...read more



Value Strategy: Selective Insurance Stock Price Value at the top

VALUE METRICS February 27, 2025
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. REVENUES (P/S)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. PROFITS (P/E)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
PRICE VS. CAPITAL (Market-to-Book)
DIVIDEND YIELD
DIVIDEND YIELD
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE
CONSOLIDATED RANK: VALUE

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 81 (better than 81% compared with alternatives) for 2022, Selective Insurance shares are significantly less expensive than comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators that are all above average for Selective Insurance. Price-to-Sales is 62 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future sales is lower than for 62% of comparable companies, indicating a good value for Selective Insurance's revenue size. The same is valid for expected Price-to-Profits, more favorable than for 76% of alternatives, and this is also true for the Price-to-Book capital ratio (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Capital Rank of 64. Compared with other companies in the same industry, dividend yields of Selective Insurance are expected to be higher than for 56% of all competitors (a Dividend Yield rank of 56). ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 81, is a buy recommendation based on Selective Insurance's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Since all value metrics are above the industry average, there is no objection to investing in Selective Insurance based on its detailed value metrics.



Growth Strategy: Selective Insurance Growth Momentum good

GROWTH METRICS February 27, 2025
REVENUE GROWTH
REVENUE GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
PROFIT GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
CAPITAL GROWTH
STOCK RETURNS
STOCK RETURNS
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH
CONSOLIDATED RANK: GROWTH

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 51 (better than 51% compared with alternatives), Selective Insurance shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Selective Insurance. Sales Growth has a value of 58 which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow more than 58% of its competitors. Profit Growth with a value of 94 and Capital Growth with a rank of 52 means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow both profits and invested capital more than of its competitors. But Stock Returns has only a rank of 5, which means that stock returns have recently been below 95% of alternative investments. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 51, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Selective Insurance has only one below-average growth indicator, the stock returns. This is probably the least reliable growth indicator, because it measures company and investor expectations at the same time. The three other growth indicators, which are all positive for Selective Insurance, are more reliable measures of growth momentum. For this reason, the company seems to be on a good trajectory, unless you think the current period is not representative, because of unique events that will not be repeated in the future. ...read more



Safety Strategy: Selective Insurance Debt Financing Safety very solid

SAFETY METRICS February 27, 2025
LEVERAGE
LEVERAGE
REFINANCING
REFINANCING
LIQUIDITY
LIQUIDITY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY
CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 86 (better than 86% compared with alternatives) for 2022, the company Selective Insurance has safe financing practices, which means that their overall debt burden is low. This doesn't mean that the business of Selective Insurance is safe, it only means that the company is on the safer side regarding possible bankruptcy, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with two out of three indicators above average for Selective Insurance. Leverage is at a rank of 78, meaning the company has a below-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has less debt than 78% of its competitors. Liquidity is also good at a rank of 79, meaning the company generates more profit to service its debt than 79% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the safer side when it comes to debt service. But Refinancing is lower at a rank of 4, which means that the portion of the debt that is about to be refinanced is above-average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 96% of its competitors. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 86 (better than 86% compared with alternatives), Selective Insurance has a financing structure that is significantly safer than that of its competitors. The refinancing issues could be a short-term problem, especially if the company has reputation issues. Banks and investors don't like to refinance debt if there are clouds on the horizon. For this reason, investors should look at the refinancing environment for Selective Insurance. Does it look safe that debt that is coming due can be covered with new debt? If that is the case, then the financing situation of the company is on the safer side. If not, it may be better to wait until refinancing has been completed and the Refinancing rank is good again. ...read more



Combined financial peformance: Selective Insurance Above-Average Financial Performance

COMBINED PERFORMANCE February 27, 2025
VALUE
VALUE
GROWTH
GROWTH
SAFETY
SAFETY
COMBINED
COMBINED

ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 72 (better than 72% compared with investment alternatives), Selective Insurance (Property & Casualty Insurance, USA) shares have above-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Selective Insurance are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 81 (better than 81% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 51), and are safely financed (Safety Rank of 86), which means low debt burdens. ...read more

RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 72, is a buy recommendation based on Selective Insurance's financial characteristics. As the company Selective Insurance's key financial metrics all exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 81), above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 51), and indicate that the company is safely financed (Obermatt Safety Rank of 86), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the share is limited, unless the company has a bleak future. Such good financial performance can indicate that the company's future might actually be challenging, as it may be difficult to maintain the good performance. If they are safely financed and have been growing above average, and are still a good value, it means that the market is keeping prices low, for a reason which may become clearer over time. We recommend evaluating the future of Selective Insurance. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. ...read more

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