QBE Insurance Group (ASX:QBE) Beneish M-Score: -4.34 (As of Jun. 27, 2026)


ASX:QBE QBE Insurance Group Ltd ASX:QBE
76 GF Score
Price A$24.84
GF Value A$20.17
Valuation Modestly Overvalued
! 6 Warning Signs
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What is QBE Insurance Group Beneish M-Score?

QBE Insurance Group ASX:QBE -0.16% 76 Beneish M-Score is -4.34 as of Jun. 27, 2026. GuruFocus rates ASX:QBE with a GF Score™ of 76/100 and a GF Value™ of A$20.17 (Modestly Overvalued). The stock has 6 warning signs investors should review. Among 397 Insurance companies, QBE Insurance Group ranks better than 94.21% on this metric.

Note: Financial institutions were excluded from the sample in Beneish paper when calculating Beneish M-Score. Thus, the prediction might not fit banks and insurance companies.

The zones of discrimination for M-Score is as such:

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.
An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

Good Sign:

Beneish M-Score -4.34 no higher than -1.78, which implies that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

The historical rank and industry rank for QBE Insurance Group's Beneish M-Score or its related term are showing as below:

ASX:QBE' s Beneish M-Score Range Over the Past 10 Years
Min: -5.56   Med: -2.64   Max: -2.07
Current: -4.34

During the past 13 years, the highest Beneish M-Score of QBE Insurance Group was -2.07. The lowest was -5.56. And the median was -2.64.

ASX:QBE
76GF Score
QBE Insurance Group Ltd ASX:QBE
Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Score™, valuation, warning signs, and more.
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QBE Insurance Group Beneish M-Score Calculation

The M-score was created by Professor Messod Beneish. Instead of measuring the bankruptcy risk (Altman Z-Score) or business trend (Piotroski F-Score), M-score can be used to detect the risk of earnings manipulation. This is the original research paper on M-score.

The M-Score Variables:

The M-score of QBE Insurance Group for today is based on a combination of the following eight different indices:

M=-4.84+0.92 * DSRI+0.528 * GMI+0.404 * AQI+0.892 * SGI+0.115 * DEPI
=-4.84+0.92 * 1.7489+0.528 * 1+0.404 * 1.0008+0.892 * 0.9918+0.115 * 0.9565
-0.172 * SGAI+4.679 * TATA-0.327 * LVGI
-0.172 * 1.2272+4.679 * -0.517276-0.327 * 1.2263
=-4.34

* For Operating Data section: All numbers are indicated by the unit behind each term and all currency related amount are in USD.
* For other sections: All numbers are in millions except for per share data, ratio, and percentage. All currency related amount are indicated in the company's associated stock exchange currency.

This Year (Dec25) TTM:Last Year (Dec24) TTM:
Total Receivables was A$1,460 Mil.
Revenue was A$29,357 Mil.
Gross Profit was A$29,357 Mil.
Total Current Assets was A$0 Mil.
Total Assets was A$73,045 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was A$426 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was A$272 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was A$5,356 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was A$0 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was A$5,915 Mil.
Net Income was A$3,246 Mil.
Gross Profit was A$34,675 Mil.
Cash Flow from Operations was A$6,356 Mil.
 Total Receivables was A$842 Mil.
Revenue was A$29,598 Mil.
Gross Profit was A$29,598 Mil.
Total Current Assets was A$0 Mil.
Total Assets was A$69,233 Mil.
Property, Plant and Equipment(Net PPE) was A$456 Mil.
Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization(DDA) was A$272 Mil.
Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) was A$4,401 Mil.
Total Current Liabilities was A$0 Mil.
Long-Term Debt & Capital Lease Obligation was A$4,571 Mil.

1. DSRI = Days Sales in Receivables Index

Measured as the ratio of Revenue in Total Receivables in year t to year t-1.

A large increase in DSR could be indicative of revenue inflation.

DSRI=(Receivables_t / Revenue_t) / (Receivables_t-1 / Revenue_t-1)
=(1459.85 / 29356.53) / (841.607 / 29598.355)
=0.049728 / 0.028434
=1.7489

2. GMI = Gross Margin Index

Measured as the ratio of gross margin in year t-1 to gross margin in year t.

Gross margin has deteriorated when this index is above 1. A firm with poorer prospects is more likely to manipulate earnings.

GMI=GrossMargin_t-1 / GrossMargin_t
=(GrossProfit_t-1 / Revenue_t-1) / (GrossProfit_t / Revenue_t)
=(29598.355 / 29598.355) / (29356.53 / 29356.53)
=1 / 1
=1

3. AQI = Asset Quality Index

AQI is the ratio of asset quality in year t to year t-1.

Asset quality is measured as the ratio of non-current assets other than Property, Plant and Equipment to Total Assets.

AQI=(1 - (CurrentAssets_t + PPE_t) / TotalAssets_t) / (1 - (CurrentAssets_t-1 + PPE_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=(1 - (0 + 425.915) / 73045.175) / (1 - (0 + 456.331) / 69232.834)
=0.994169 / 0.993409
=1.0008

4. SGI = Sales Growth Index

Ratio of Revenue in year t to sales in year t-1.

Sales growth is not itself a measure of manipulation. However, growth companies are likely to find themselves under pressure to manipulate in order to keep up appearances.

SGI=Sales_t / Sales_t-1
=Revenue_t / Revenue_t-1
=29356.53 / 29598.355
=0.9918

5. DEPI = Depreciation Index

Measured as the ratio of the rate of Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization in year t-1 to the corresponding rate in year t.

DEPI greater than 1 indicates that assets are being depreciated at a slower rate. This suggests that the firm might be revising useful asset life assumptions upwards, or adopting a new method that is income friendly.

DEPI=(Depreciation_t-1 / (Depreciaton_t-1 + PPE_t-1)) / (Depreciation_t / (Depreciaton_t + PPE_t))
=(271.588 / (271.588 + 456.331)) / (272.405 / (272.405 + 425.915))
=0.373102 / 0.390086
=0.9565

Note: If the Depreciation, Depletion and Amortization data is not available, we assume that the depreciation rate is constant and set the Depreciation Index to 1.

6. SGAI = Sales, General and Administrative expenses Index

The ratio of Selling, General, & Admin. Expense(SGA) to Sales in year t relative to year t-1.

SGA expenses index > 1 means that the company is becoming less efficient in generate sales.

SGAI=(SGA_t / Sales_t) / (SGA_t-1 /Sales_t-1)
=(5356.295 / 29356.53) / (4400.673 / 29598.355)
=0.182457 / 0.14868
=1.2272

7. LVGI = Leverage Index

The ratio of total debt to Total Assets in year t relative to yeat t-1.

An LVGI > 1 indicates an increase in leverage

LVGI=((LTD_t + CurrentLiabilities_t) / TotalAssets_t) / ((LTD_t-1 + CurrentLiabilities_t-1) / TotalAssets_t-1)
=((5914.65 + 0) / 73045.175) / ((4571.205 + 0) / 69232.834)
=0.080972 / 0.066027
=1.2263

8. TATA = Total Accruals to Total Assets

Total accruals calculated as the change in working capital accounts other than cash less depreciation.

TATA=(IncomefromContinuingOperations_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(NetIncome_t - NonOperatingIncome_t - CashFlowsfromOperations_t) / TotalAssets_t
=(3246.285 - 34675.2 - 6355.615) / 73045.175
=-0.517276

An M-Score of equal or less than -1.78 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator. An M-Score of greater than -1.78 signals that the company is likely to be a manipulator.

QBE Insurance Group has a M-score of -4.34 suggests that the company is unlikely to be a manipulator.

Frequently Asked Questions Learn more about Beneish M-Score →
What does a Beneish M-Score of -4.34 mean?
QBE Insurance Group (ASX:QBE) has a Beneish M-Score of -4.34 as of Jun. 27, 2026. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on QBE Insurance Group and its competitors. According to the industry distribution chart, QBE Insurance Group ranks #23 out of 397 companies in the Insurance industry, placing it in the top 5.8%.
Is QBE Insurance Group's Beneish M-Score too high?
QBE Insurance Group's current Beneish M-Score is -4.34. Based on the distribution chart, QBE Insurance Group ranks #23 out of 397 companies in the Insurance industry, which is in the top quartile — a strong position relative to peers. Overall, QBE Insurance Group has a GF Score™ of 76/100 and is considered Modestly Overvalued, reflecting its overall financial health beyond just this single metric.
How does QBE Insurance Group's Beneish M-Score compare to CB and PGR?
According to the Insurance industry distribution chart, QBE Insurance Group ranks #23 out of 397 companies for Beneish M-Score. This places QBE Insurance Group in the top 6% of its industry — outperforming the majority of peers. See the competitive comparison table and distribution chart on this page for a detailed peer-by-peer breakdown.
What is a good Beneish M-Score for an Insurance company?
A good Beneish M-Score depends on the Insurance industry context. However, Beneish M-Score should not be evaluated in isolation — investors should consider it alongside profitability, growth, and financial strength metrics. Use the industry distribution chart on this page to see where any company falls relative to its peers.
What does a high Beneish M-Score mean?
A high Beneish M-Score can signal that a stock is expensive relative to its fundamentals. The Beneish M-score measures the likelihood of earnings manipulation. View historical data on QBE Insurance Group and its competitors. QBE Insurance Group's current Beneish M-Score is -4.34. However, context matters — high-growth companies often justify higher valuations. Always evaluate alongside other metrics like GF Score™ and GF Value™.
Is QBE Insurance Group stock overvalued right now?
Based on GuruFocus' analysis, QBE Insurance Group (ASX:QBE) is currently considered Modestly Overvalued. The stock's GF Value™ is A$20.17, compared to a current price of A$24.84 — trading 23.2% above its estimated fair value. The current Beneish M-Score is -4.34. QBE Insurance Group's overall GF Score™ is 76/100 with 6 warning signs to review. Investors should evaluate multiple metrics — including profitability, growth, and financial strength — before making a decision.
How is Beneish M-Score calculated?
Beneish M-Score is calculated from a company's financial statements. For QBE Insurance Group (ASX:QBE), the current Beneish M-Score is -4.34 as of Jun. 27, 2026. GuruFocus calculates this using data sourced from SEC filings and annual reports. See the calculation section and 30-year financial data on this page for the full breakdown.

Is QBE Insurance Group (ASX:QBE) Overvalued in 2026?

Based on GuruFocus' analysis, QBE Insurance Group stock appears to be overvalued. The current stock price of A$24.84 is trading 23.2% above its estimated GF Value™ of A$20.17. GuruFocus considers QBE Insurance Group to be Modestly Overvalued.

Key valuation signals for ASX:QBE:

  • Beneish M-Score: -4.34
  • GF Value™: A$20.17 vs. price of A$24.84 (23.2% above fair value)
  • GF Score™: 76/100 with 6 warning signs

No single metric tells the full story. See the ASX:QBE stock analysis page for a complete view including 30-year financials, guru trades, and insider activity.

QBE Insurance Group Business Description

Address 388 George Street, Level 18, Sydney, NSW, AUS, 2000
QBE Insurance is an international property and casualty insurance company. QBE Insurance offers a number of personal, commercial, and specialty lines, including property, auto insurance, agriculture, public/product liability, professional indemnity, workers compensation, marine, energy and aviation, and accident and health.
76GF Score

Get the complete analysis for ASX:QBE

Beneish M-Score is just one metric. See GF Value™, 30-year financials, guru trades, warning signs, and more.

A$24.84
Price
A$20.17
GF Value