EVER Outperforms Industry, Trades at Premium: How to Play the Stock

Shares of EverQuote, Inc. EVER have gained 3.2% in the past year, outperforming its industry’s growth of 1.9%. The Finance sector and the Zacks S&P 500 composite have returned 11.9% and 13.9%, respectively, in the same time frame.

With a market capitalization of $735.73 million, the average volume of shares traded in the last three months was 0.4 million.

EVER Shares are Expensive

EVER shares are trading at a premium to the industry. Its price-to-book value of 4.32X is higher than the industry average of 2.52X. However, shares of other multi-line insurers like MGIC Investment Corporation MTG, Assurant, Inc. AIZ, and CNO Financial Group, Inc. CNO are trading at a discount to the industry average.

EVER’s Growth Projection Encourages

The Zacks Consensus Estimate for EverQuote’s 2025 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 48.8%. The consensus estimate for revenues is pegged at $648.53 million, implying a year-over-year improvement of 29.6%. The consensus estimate for 2026 earnings per share and revenues indicates an increase of 18.3% and 10.6%, respectively, from the 2025 estimates. EVER has an impressive Growth Score of A. This style score helps analyze the growth prospects of a company.  

Impressive Earnings Surprise History of EVER

EverQuote’s bottom line surpassed earnings estimates in each of the last four quarters, the average being 44.17%.

Optimistic Analyst Sentiment for EVER

One of the six analysts covering the stock has raised estimates for 2025 and 2026 over the past 60 days. Thus, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 and 2026 moved 1.5% and 1.3% north, respectively, in the last 60 days, reflecting analyst optimism.

EVER’s Favorable Return on Capital

Return on equity (ROE) for the trailing 12 months was 36.9%, comparing favorably with the industry’s 14.8%. This reflects its efficiency in utilizing shareholders’ funds. It envisions a long-term target of 15%. 

Return on invested capital in the trailing 12 months was 36.3%, better than the industry average of 1.9%, reflecting EVER’s efficiency in utilizing funds to generate income.

Average Target Price for EVER Suggests Upside

Based on short-term price targets offered by six analysts, the Zacks average price target is $33.17 per share. The average indicates a potential 50.7% upside from the last closing price.

Factors Favoring EverQuote

EverQuote is positioned for long-term growth, supported by its proprietary data platform, sharper focus on property and casualty markets, and leaner operations. Lower advertising costs, rising digital adoption in insurance, and a solid financial base further reinforce its growth prospects.

With auto carrier demand beginning to normalize, EverQuote is well-positioned to regain momentum in its core marketplace. The company expects third-quarter 2025 revenues of $163-$169 million, reflecting about 15% growth at the midpoint, and anticipates surpassing $1 billion in annual revenues soon. Revenues are projected to rise 28.8% in 2025. Its strong foothold in auto insurance provides a springboard for expansion into additional verticals, where higher consumer engagement and increased quote activity can further drive growth. At the same time, ongoing innovation in advertiser solutions should enhance monetization and deepen client relationships.

EverQuote has also authorized a $50 million share repurchase program, set to run through June 2026. This reflects management’s confidence in the company’s performance and cash position, while signaling a disciplined approach to capital use.

EverQuote plans to channel robust cash flow into AI, technology, and data initiatives, with a faster rollout scheduled for the second half of 2025 to sharpen efficiency and deepen its competitive moat. Building on this foundation, the company is enhancing its platform by combining proprietary data with in-house, third-party, and open-source tools to attract insurance shoppers from diverse channels. AI is being embedded across operations, from copilots and voice agents to automated workflows, while machine learning and data-driven automation are scaled to further strengthen efficiency and long-term growth.

Looking ahead, EverQuote has several pathways to sustain growth beyond its core auto marketplace. Expanding into non-auto categories, introducing new product offerings and pursuing selective acquisitions can diversify revenue streams. At the same time, leveraging its technology edge to attract high-intent consumers will strengthen its competitive position in the digital insurance space.

Risk

Despite recent progress, EverQuote continues to face notable headwinds. Rising expenses tied to marketing, operations, and technology weigh on margins, while larger carriers and rival platforms with stronger resources and brand recognition intensify competition in an already crowded marketplace.

Wrapping Up: Keep on Holding

Overall, EverQuote demonstrates solid long-term potential through its data-driven platform, technology investments, and opportunities to expand beyond auto insurance. However, near-term challenges, including rising expenses, competitive pressures, and regulatory uncertainty, create a more cautious outlook.

Given its expensive valuation, it is better to wait a bit longer before taking a call on this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) stock. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.

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This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (zacks.com).

Zacks Investment Research