State Auto Financial Competitors

Berkshire Hathaway (NYSE:BRK.B) and State Auto Financial (NASDAQ:STFC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

Risk and Volatility

Berkshire Hathaway has a beta of 0.84, indicating that its share price is 16% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, State Auto Financial has a beta of 0.19, indicating that its share price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for Berkshire Hathaway and State Auto Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

State Auto Financial has a consensus target price of $22.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.40%. Given State Auto Financial's higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe State Auto Financial is more favorable than Berkshire Hathaway.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

38.9% of Berkshire Hathaway shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.5% of State Auto Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 6.1% of Berkshire Hathaway shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.0% of State Auto Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that hedge funds, endowments and large money managers believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares Berkshire Hathaway and State Auto Financial's top-line revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Berkshire Hathaway has higher revenue and earnings than State Auto Financial. Berkshire Hathaway is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than State Auto Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares Berkshire Hathaway and State Auto Financial's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Berkshire Hathaway beats State Auto Financial on 11 of the 13 factors compared between the two stocks.

The Progressive (NYSE:PGR) and State Auto Financial (NASDAQ:STFC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

Volatility and Risk

The Progressive has a beta of 0.45, indicating that its share price is 55% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, State Auto Financial has a beta of 0.19, indicating that its share price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for The Progressive and State Auto Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

The Progressive presently has a consensus target price of $95.7692, indicating a potential upside of 11.42%. State Auto Financial has a consensus target price of $22.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.40%. Given State Auto Financial's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe State Auto Financial is more favorable than The Progressive.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

81.5% of The Progressive shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.5% of State Auto Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.4% of The Progressive shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.0% of State Auto Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Dividends

The Progressive pays an annual dividend of $4.60 per share and has a dividend yield of 5.4%. State Auto Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. The Progressive pays out 68.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. State Auto Financial pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. The Progressive has increased its dividend for 1 consecutive years. The Progressive is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares The Progressive and State Auto Financial's top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

The Progressive has higher revenue and earnings than State Auto Financial. The Progressive is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than State Auto Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Profitability

This table compares The Progressive and State Auto Financial's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

The Progressive beats State Auto Financial on 13 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

The Travelers Companies (NYSE:TRV) and State Auto Financial (NASDAQ:STFC) are both finance companies, but which is the superior investment? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their earnings, profitability, analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, valuation and risk.

Analyst Ratings

This is a breakdown of recent ratings and price targets for The Travelers Companies and State Auto Financial, as reported by MarketBeat.com.

The Travelers Companies presently has a consensus target price of $135.20, indicating a potential downside of 7.08%. State Auto Financial has a consensus target price of $22.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.40%. Given State Auto Financial's stronger consensus rating and higher probable upside, analysts clearly believe State Auto Financial is more favorable than The Travelers Companies.

Earnings & Valuation

This table compares The Travelers Companies and State Auto Financial's top-line revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

The Travelers Companies has higher revenue and earnings than State Auto Financial. The Travelers Companies is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than State Auto Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Volatility and Risk

The Travelers Companies has a beta of 0.77, indicating that its share price is 23% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, State Auto Financial has a beta of 0.19, indicating that its share price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

81.8% of The Travelers Companies shares are owned by institutional investors. Comparatively, 33.5% of State Auto Financial shares are owned by institutional investors. 0.8% of The Travelers Companies shares are owned by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.0% of State Auto Financial shares are owned by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that large money managers, hedge funds and endowments believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares The Travelers Companies and State Auto Financial's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dividends

The Travelers Companies pays an annual dividend of $3.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.3%. State Auto Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. The Travelers Companies pays out 35.4% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. State Auto Financial pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. The Travelers Companies has increased its dividend for 16 consecutive years. The Travelers Companies is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Summary

The Travelers Companies beats State Auto Financial on 14 of the 17 factors compared between the two stocks.

State Auto Financial (NASDAQ:STFC) and The Allstate (NYSE:ALL) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, profitability and risk.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for State Auto Financial and The Allstate, as provided by MarketBeat.

State Auto Financial currently has a consensus price target of $22.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.40%. The Allstate has a consensus price target of $119.0714, indicating a potential upside of 11.70%. Given State Auto Financial's higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe State Auto Financial is more favorable than The Allstate.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares State Auto Financial and The Allstate's gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

The Allstate has higher revenue and earnings than State Auto Financial. The Allstate is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than State Auto Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Risk and Volatility

State Auto Financial has a beta of 0.19, indicating that its stock price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, The Allstate has a beta of 0.81, indicating that its stock price is 19% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

33.5% of State Auto Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 77.0% of The Allstate shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of State Auto Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 1.8% of The Allstate shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares State Auto Financial and The Allstate's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Dividends

State Auto Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. The Allstate pays an annual dividend of $2.16 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.0%. State Auto Financial pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. The Allstate pays out 20.7% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. The Allstate has raised its dividend for 7 consecutive years.

Summary

The Allstate beats State Auto Financial on 15 of the 18 factors compared between the two stocks.

State Auto Financial (NASDAQ:STFC) and Cincinnati Financial (NASDAQ:CINF) are both finance companies, but which is the superior stock? We will contrast the two companies based on the strength of their dividends, analyst recommendations, institutional ownership, valuation, earnings, profitability and risk.

Risk and Volatility

State Auto Financial has a beta of 0.19, indicating that its stock price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Cincinnati Financial has a beta of 0.59, indicating that its stock price is 41% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation & Earnings

This table compares State Auto Financial and Cincinnati Financial's gross revenue, earnings per share (EPS) and valuation.

Cincinnati Financial has higher revenue and earnings than State Auto Financial. Cincinnati Financial is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than State Auto Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Recommendations

This is a summary of recent ratings and recommmendations for State Auto Financial and Cincinnati Financial, as provided by MarketBeat.

State Auto Financial currently has a consensus price target of $22.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.40%. Cincinnati Financial has a consensus price target of $77.00, indicating a potential downside of 21.32%. Given State Auto Financial's stronger consensus rating and higher possible upside, analysts plainly believe State Auto Financial is more favorable than Cincinnati Financial.

Dividends

State Auto Financial pays an annual dividend of $0.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.1%. Cincinnati Financial pays an annual dividend of $2.40 per share and has a dividend yield of 2.5%. State Auto Financial pays out 63.5% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Cincinnati Financial pays out 57.1% of its earnings in the form of a dividend. Both companies have healthy payout ratios and should be able to cover their dividend payments with earnings for the next several years. Cincinnati Financial has raised its dividend for 39 consecutive years. Cincinnati Financial is clearly the better dividend stock, given its higher yield and longer track record of dividend growth.

Insider and Institutional Ownership

33.5% of State Auto Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 65.3% of Cincinnati Financial shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of State Auto Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 7.4% of Cincinnati Financial shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, hedge funds and large money managers believe a company is poised for long-term growth.

Profitability

This table compares State Auto Financial and Cincinnati Financial's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Cincinnati Financial beats State Auto Financial on 14 of the 16 factors compared between the two stocks.

State Auto Financial (NASDAQ:STFC) and Markel (NYSE:MKL) are both finance companies, but which is the better stock? We will compare the two businesses based on the strength of their analyst recommendations, dividends, institutional ownership, earnings, profitability, risk and valuation.

Volatility & Risk

State Auto Financial has a beta of 0.19, suggesting that its stock price is 81% less volatile than the S&P 500. Comparatively, Markel has a beta of 0.67, suggesting that its stock price is 33% less volatile than the S&P 500.

Valuation and Earnings

This table compares State Auto Financial and Markel's gross revenue, earnings per share and valuation.

Markel has higher revenue and earnings than State Auto Financial. Markel is trading at a lower price-to-earnings ratio than State Auto Financial, indicating that it is currently the more affordable of the two stocks.

Analyst Ratings

This is a summary of recent recommendations for State Auto Financial and Markel, as provided by MarketBeat.com.

State Auto Financial currently has a consensus price target of $22.00, indicating a potential upside of 17.40%. Markel has a consensus price target of $1,143.75, indicating a potential upside of 5.05%. Given State Auto Financial's higher possible upside, equities research analysts clearly believe State Auto Financial is more favorable than Markel.

Institutional & Insider Ownership

33.5% of State Auto Financial shares are held by institutional investors. Comparatively, 74.6% of Markel shares are held by institutional investors. 2.0% of State Auto Financial shares are held by company insiders. Comparatively, 2.2% of Markel shares are held by company insiders. Strong institutional ownership is an indication that endowments, large money managers and hedge funds believe a company will outperform the market over the long term.

Profitability

This table compares State Auto Financial and Markel's net margins, return on equity and return on assets.

Summary

Markel beats State Auto Financial on 13 of the 14 factors compared between the two stocks.