Piper Sandler reiterated its above-average rating and $72 price target for Skyward Specialty Insurance Group (NASDAQ: SKWD) following the announcement that Chief Financial Officer John Blumberg will retire in 2027.
The firm characterized the planned departure as a long-anticipated transition that does not alter its positive outlook on the insurer. Piper Sandler also designated Skyward as its 'stock of the week' amid a post-announcement pullback in the shares.
Skyward’s stock was trading at $58.25 on Monday, up 2.39% or $1.36, valuing the company at approximately $1.8 billion. The shares have a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.41 and a PEG ratio of 0.37, according to InvestingPro data.
The analyst’s decision follows Skyward’s second-quarter 2026 results, which showed diluted operating earnings per share of $1.30, exceeding analyst expectations of $0.93. Quarterly revenue totaled $489.53 million, reflecting a 46% year-over-year increase in earnings per share.
Piper Sandler drew parallels with peers W. R. Berkeley and American Financial Group, noting that smaller insurers can navigate weaker markets by scaling back in less favorable segments while expanding in more lucrative areas. The firm emphasized Skyward’s size as an advantage in a challenging underwriting environment where even modest opportunities can yield significant returns.
Skyward Specialty Insurance Group provides specialty property and casualty insurance products, primarily serving small and mid-sized businesses.
