Start with its own history
At 11.35×, NWLI is 17.9% above its 10-observation annual average. A lower multiple can reflect a lower price, higher earnings, or weaker growth expectations—not necessarily a bargain.
NASDAQ · NWLIInsurance - LifeUpdated Nov 4, 2026
National Western Life Group, Inc. P/E ratio
Current valuation, historical context, and peer comparisons.
Current P/E ratio
11.35×
17.9% abovethe 10-year annual average
Share price499.98
÷Earnings per share44.05
Price and EPS in quote currency. Calculation details
Investors are paying 11.35 for every 1 of reported earnings per share.
P/E over time
2014 – 2023
Annual P/ESelected-period average 9.62×
3-year average10.70×3 positive annual observations
5-year average9.57×5 positive annual observations
10-year average9.62×10 positive annual observations
Peer median · TTM15.36×7 peers with positive P/E
Historical P/E ratios
Annual period-end data · 25 observations
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2023 | 18.08× | +84.1% |
| Dec 31, 2022 | 9.83× | +134.1% |
| Dec 31, 2021 | 4.20× | -46.9% |
| Dec 31, 2020 | 7.91× | +1.2% |
| Dec 31, 2019 | 7.82× | -11.7% |
| Dec 31, 2018 | 8.85× | -16.5% |
| Dec 31, 2017 | 10.60× | -2.7% |
| Dec 31, 2016 | 10.89× | +20.3% |
View all 25 annual observations +
| Period end | P/E | Change |
|---|---|---|
| Dec 31, 2015 | 9.05× | +0.4% |
| Dec 31, 2014 | 9.01× | +9.8% |
| Dec 31, 2013 | 8.21× | +36.3% |
| Dec 31, 2012 | 6.02× | -30.4% |
| Dec 31, 2011 | 8.65× | +7.3% |
| Dec 31, 2010 | 8.07× | -40.1% |
| Dec 31, 2009 | 13.46× | -24.1% |
| Dec 31, 2008 | 17.73× | +107.3% |
| Dec 31, 2007 | 8.55× | -19.4% |
| Dec 31, 2006 | 10.61× | +10.0% |
| Dec 31, 2005 | 9.65× | +98.5% |
| Dec 31, 2004 | 4.86× | -50.5% |
| Dec 31, 2003 | 9.81× | +22.0% |
| Dec 31, 2002 | 8.04× | -3.8% |
| Dec 31, 2001 | 8.35× | -32.7% |
| Dec 31, 2000 | 12.42× | +206.1% |
| Dec 31, 1999 | 4.06× | N/M |
Change is relative to the preceding observation. N/M values are excluded from averages.
How NWLI compares
Company P/E vs. peer trailing-12-month ratios
| Company | P/E ratio |
|---|---|
 NWLI This stockNational Western Life Group, Inc. | 11.35× |
 AELAmerican Equity Investment Life Holding Company | 21.47× |
 OBDEBlue Owl Capital Corporation III | 5.84× |
 VBTXVeritex Holdings, Inc. | 15.36× |
 BNREBrookfield Reinsurance Ltd. | 89.73× |
 WTFCWintrust Financial Corporation | 11.80× |
 BGCBGC Group, Inc | 27.07× |
 HKIBAMTD International Inc. | 5.38× |
 GMIIGores Metropoulos II, Inc. | N/M |
Peers are selected by the data provider. Business models and earnings definitions can differ.
Put the numbers in context
What does NWLI’s P/E tell you?
Compare like with like
The median of the 7 positive peer ratios above is 15.36×. Check growth, margins, debt, and earnings quality before interpreting the gap. A faster-growing business may justify a higher multiple.
Check what drives earnings
One-off gains can temporarily lower P/E; unusual charges can raise it. Reported earnings and forward estimates answer different questions. Pair this view with return on equity and liquidity for a fuller picture.
Keep your research connected
Take NWLI into your spreadsheet
Pull historical P/E into Excel or Google Sheets with Wisesheets. Build your own comparisons alongside the rest of your financial model.
Explore WisesheetsQuarterly P/E · latest quarterLQ selects the latest reported quarter. Requires the Wisesheets add-in. See available data
=WISE("NWLI", "PE Ratio", "LQ")Sources & calculation methodology
Current P/E
Share price 499.98 ÷ EPS 44.05 = 11.35×. Data is supplied by Financial Modeling Prep through Wisesheets. Quote feed updated Nov 4, 2026; this is not a real-time trading quote.
History & averages
Annual and quarterly P/E observations are provided separately from the current quote. Averages use the latest 3, 5, or 10 annual observations, excluding missing and nonpositive ratios. Pre-IPO observations are omitted. These are period-end observations, not daily averages.
Data definitions and limitations
The current quote feed does not specify the exact EPS filing-period end or whether EPS is basic or diluted. We do not label it as forward P/E. Peer ratios are explicitly trailing-12-month (TTM) values. Historical observations do not include independently verified price and EPS inputs. Sources may update on different schedules; rounded inputs can produce small calculation differences. Historical comparisons describe past pricing, not an estimate of fair value.
NWLI P/E ratio: common questions
The essentials behind the numbers.
National Western Life Group, Inc.'s current P/E is 11.35× based on the quote data last updated Nov 4, 2026. It represents the share price divided by reported earnings per share. Prices and earnings may refresh on different schedules.
Annual P/E uses earnings for a completed fiscal year. Trailing-12-month (TTM) P/E uses the latest four quarters, while forward P/E uses forecast earnings. These are not interchangeable. This page labels peer ratios as TTM and shows dated annual or quarterly historical observations; it does not show forward estimates.
N/M means not meaningful: the feed has no positive P/E for that observation. Negative or zero earnings should not be ranked as a low positive valuation multiple. N/M observations are excluded from the averages shown above.
Divide the share price by earnings per share (EPS). For example, a share price of 100 and EPS of 5 gives a P/E of 20×. This page uses the price and EPS supplied together in the quote when both are positive.
Price timestamps, EPS definitions, share classes, adjustments, and fiscal periods can differ. A forward P/E also uses forecast earnings rather than reported earnings. Compare the inputs and as-of dates before comparing two displayed ratios.
Not necessarily. The average describes previous market pricing, not fair value. Changes in earnings quality, growth expectations, debt, accounting, and business risk can justify a different multiple today.