Enact Announces New $500 Million Share Repurchase Program and $0.21 Per Share Quarterly Dividend

Rhea-AI Summary

Enact (Nasdaq: ACT) authorized a new $500 million share repurchase program and declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share. The new repurchase is additional to a prior $350 million program with $30 million remaining as of Jan 30, 2026.

Dividend is payable March 19, 2026 to holders of record on Feb 26, 2026. Repurchases may occur via open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, and 10b5-1/10b-18 plans. Enact has an agreement with Genworth Holdings to repurchase shares to maintain Genworth’s ownership; repurchases are opportunistic and not guaranteed.

Positive

• $500M new share repurchase authorization
• Quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share payable Mar 19, 2026
• Prior $350M program retains $30M remaining as of Jan 30, 2026
• Agreement with Genworth to repurchase shares to maintain ownership

Negative

• Repurchases are opportunistic and not guaranteed or scheduled
• Program may be suspended or terminated at company discretion
• Timing and amount constrained by share price, capital, regulations, and debt covenants

News Market Reaction

-0.30%

21 alerts

-0.30% News Effect

+5.1% Peak in 4 hr 27 min

-$19M Valuation Impact

$6.46B Market Cap

1.4x Rel. Volume

On the day this news was published, ACT declined 0.30%, reflecting a mild negative market reaction. Argus tracked a peak move of +5.1% during that session. Our momentum scanner triggered 21 alerts that day, indicating elevated trading interest and price volatility. This price movement removed approximately $19M from the company's valuation, bringing the market cap to $6.46B at that time.

Data tracked by StockTitan Argus on the day of publication.

Key Figures

New repurchase authorization: $500 million Existing repurchase program: $350 million Remaining under existing program: $30 million +3 more

6 metrics

New repurchase authorization $500 million New share repurchase program announced Feb 3, 2026

Existing repurchase program $350 million Current share repurchase authorization referenced in release

Remaining under existing program $30 million Amount left as of Jan 30, 2026

Quarterly dividend $0.21 per share Dividend declared payable March 19, 2026

Dividend payment date March 19, 2026 Payment date for $0.21 quarterly dividend

Dividend record date February 26, 2026 Shareholders of record date for $0.21 dividend

Market Reality Check

Price: $44.00 Vol: Volume 287,131 is in line...

normal vol

$44.00 Last Close

Volume Volume 287,131 is in line with the 20-day average of 290,304 ahead of the announcement. normal

Technical Price 40.45 is trading above the 200-day MA of 37.18, near the 41.35 52-week high.

Peers on Argus

Peers showed mixed moves: ESNT +0.86%, MTG +2.07%, FAF +1.22% while RDN -0.75% a...

Peers showed mixed moves: ESNT +0.86%, MTG +2.07%, FAF +1.22% while RDN -0.75% and AXS -0.43%, pointing to a stock-specific catalyst rather than a uniform sector rotation.

Previous Buybacks,dividends Reports

2 past events · Latest: Apr 30 (Positive)

Same Type Pattern 2 events

Date	Event	Sentiment	Move	Catalyst
Apr 30	Buyback & dividend	Positive	+2.2%	Raised dividend to $0.21 and launched new $350M repurchase program.
May 01	Buyback & dividend	Positive	-0.0%	Increased dividend and announced new $250M repurchase alongside existing program.

Pattern Detected

Past buyback and dividend announcements for Enact have generally been received as positive, with one clearly positive price reaction and one essentially flat response.

Recent Company History

Over the past year, Enact has repeatedly paired capital return updates with operational strength. On Nov 5, 2025, Q3 2025 results and a $0.21 dividend coincided with a 2.25% gain. Earlier, credit risk transfer and reinsurance activity on Oct 30, 2025 drew a modestly positive move. Two prior buyback/dividend announcements on Apr 30, 2025 and May 1, 2024 produced a 2.18% rise and a roughly flat reaction, framing today’s larger authorization and maintained dividend within a consistent capital return strategy.

Historical Comparison

buybacks,dividends

+1.1 %

Average Historical Move

Historical Analysis

In prior buyback/dividend updates, ACT moved an average of 1.1%. Today’s 1.71% pre-news gain fits the pattern of modestly positive reactions to capital return announcements.

Typical Pattern

Enact has steadily expanded capital returns, moving from a $250M program in 2024 to $350M in 2025 and now authorizing a new $500M buyback while maintaining a $0.21 quarterly dividend.

Market Pulse Summary

This announcement highlights a new $500M share repurchase authorization layered on top of an existin...

Analysis

This announcement highlights a new $500M share repurchase authorization layered on top of an existing $350M program, along with a maintained quarterly dividend of $0.21 per share payable on March 19, 2026. Historically, Enact’s buyback and dividend updates have yielded modest average reactions of about 1.1%. Investors may watch future capital return guidance, upcoming earnings, and any changes in repurchase cadence as indicators of ongoing balance-sheet strength.

Key Terms

rule 10b5-1, rule 10b-18

2 terms

rule 10b5-1 regulatory

"may be made under Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 trading plans"

Rule 10b5-1 is a regulation that allows company insiders to buy or sell their shares at predetermined times, even if they have access to non-public information. It acts like setting a schedule in advance for transactions, helping prevent accusations of unfair trading. This rule provides a way for insiders to plan trades transparently, giving investors confidence that these transactions are not based on hidden information.

rule 10b-18 regulatory

"may be made under Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 trading plans"

Rule 10b-18 is a regulation that sets strict rules for how a company's executives and employees can buy back their own company's stock from the market. It helps ensure that these buybacks happen in a fair and transparent way, reducing the chance of market manipulation. This is important for investors because it offers protection against unfair practices and promotes confidence in the integrity of the stock market.

AI-generated analysis. Not financial advice.

RALEIGH, N.C., Feb. 03, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Enact Holdings, Inc. (Nasdaq: ACT) (Enact) a leading provider of private mortgage insurance through its insurance subsidiaries, today announced that its Board of Directors authorized a new share repurchase program under which the company may purchase up to $500 million of its common stock. The new share repurchase authorization is in addition to the company’s current $350 million share repurchase program, of which $30 million remains as of January 30, 2026.

Additionally, Enact’s Board of Directors declared a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per common share, payable on March 19, 2026, to shareholders of record on February 26, 2026.

“The Board’s authorization of a new $500 million share repurchase program reflects the strength of our balance sheet and our continued confidence in Enact’s long-term performance,” said Rohit Gupta, Enact’s President and Chief Executive Officer. “The authorization reinforces our disciplined approach to capital management and our commitment to returning excess capital to shareholders while maintaining the financial flexibility to support our customers and invest in our business.”

Enact’s new share repurchase program authorizes the purchase of up to $500 million of the company’s common stock utilizing a variety of methods, including open market purchases, and privately negotiated transactions, and may be made under Rule 10b5-1 and Rule 10b-18 trading plans, at such times and in such amounts as management deems appropriate. In support, Enact has entered into an agreement with Genworth Holdings, Inc. to repurchase its Enact shares as part of the program to maintain Genworth’s current ownership interest in Enact.

Enact expects the timing and amount of any share repurchases will be opportunistic and will depend on a variety of factors, including Enact’s share price, capital availability, business and market conditions, regulatory requirements, and debt covenant restrictions. The program does not obligate Enact to acquire any amount of common stock, it may be suspended or terminated at any time at the Company’s discretion without prior notice, and it does not have a specified expiration date.

About Enact Holdings, Inc.
Enact (Nasdaq: ACT), operating principally through its wholly-owned subsidiary Enact Mortgage Insurance Corporation since 1981, is a leading U.S. private mortgage insurance provider committed to helping more people achieve the dream of homeownership. Building on a deep understanding of lenders' businesses and a legacy of financial strength, we partner with lenders to bring best-in class service, leading underwriting expertise, and extensive risk and capital management to the mortgage process, helping to put more people in homes and keep them there. By empowering customers and their borrowers, Enact seeks to positively impact the lives of those in the communities in which it serves in a sustainable way. Enact is headquartered in Raleigh, North Carolina.

This press release was published by a CLEAR® Verified individual.

Investor Contact
Daniel Kohl
EnactIR@enactmi.com

Media Contact
Sarah Wentz
Sarah.Wentz@enactmi.com

FAQ

What does Enact's $500 million share repurchase (ACT) announced Feb 3, 2026 mean for shareholders?

It authorizes Enact to buy up to $500 million of common stock to return capital to shareholders. According to the company, repurchases will be opportunistic and depend on share price, capital availability, market conditions, regulatory requirements, and debt covenants.

When is the $0.21 per share dividend from Enact (ACT) payable and who is eligible?

Enact will pay a quarterly dividend of $0.21 per common share on Mar 19, 2026. According to the company, shareholders of record on Feb 26, 2026 will be eligible to receive the dividend.

How does the new $500M repurchase relate to Enact's prior $350M program (ACT)?

The $500 million authorization is in addition to the prior $350 million program, with $30 million remaining as of Jan 30, 2026. According to the company, the new authorization supplements prior buyback capacity.

Will Enact (ACT) definitely repurchase shares under the new $500M program?

No, the program does not obligate Enact to acquire any shares and may be suspended or terminated. According to the company, repurchases will be made at management's discretion and are not guaranteed.

What methods will Enact use to execute the $500M repurchase program for ACT shares?

Enact may use open-market purchases, privately negotiated transactions, and Rule 10b5-1 and 10b-18 trading plans. According to the company, these methods provide flexibility in timing and execution of repurchases.