How to Buy Nationwide Stock

How to Invest in Nationwide

By Frank Bass – Updated Jul 30, 2025 at 7:31PM | Fact-checked by Robin Hartill, CFP

Key Points

Nationwide is not publicly traded, so you can't buy stock in the company.
Investors can indirectly benefit from Nationwide's performance by investing in similar companies or ETFs.
Alternatives include stocks like Allstate and ETFs like the Vanguard Financials Index Fund ETF.
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Key findings are powered by ChatGPT and based solely off the content from this article. Findings are reviewed by our editorial team. The author and editors take ultimate responsibility for the content.

Nationwide provides a wide range of insurance products, including auto, home, life, pet, farm, and commercial insurance. Wondering how to buy Nationwide stock? You can't, as it's not publicly traded. But don't worry! We'll show you similar companies you can invest in.

Image source: Getty Images.

Publicly traded?

Is Nationwide publicly traded?

Nationwide is not publicly traded on the stock market. This means you cannot directly buy shares of Nationwide as you would with a publicly traded company such as Apple (AAPL 0.69%) or Walmart (WMT -0.2%).

Nationwide operates as a mutual company, which means it is owned by its policyholders rather than shareholders. With Nationwide and other mutual companies, policyholders benefit from profits through dividends or reduced premiums.

Publicly Traded Company

A company that issues shares that are publicly traded, meaning the shares are available for anyone to buy and sell on the stock market.

Although Nationwide is not publicly traded, there are several ways investors can gain indirect exposure to its success, including:

Investing in companies with a similar profile to Nationwide
Investing in companies that provide services related to Nationwide
Investing in the insurance industry via exchange-traded funds (ETFs)

When will it IPO?

When will Nationwide IPO?

Nationwide has not announced any plans to go public. An initial public offering (IPO) would involve Nationwide selling shares to the public and being listed on a stock exchange. However, there has been no indication from the company that it intends to pursue this path in the near future. It's difficult for a mutual company to change its structure.

How to invest

How to buy Nationwide stock

Although you can't buy shares of Nationwide, there are different companies whose stock prices might rise when Nationwide performs well because they are in the same industry or their business provides products or services to the insurance industry. Here are three companies that have ties to Nationwide's performance, providing indirect exposure to the company:

Allstate

Since you can't buy Nationwide stock, the simplest alternative would be to invest in one of Nationwide's main competitors, like Allstate (ALL -0.32%). As one of the largest publicly traded insurance companies in the U.S., Allstate boasts a diverse portfolio of insurance products and a robust financial track record. You could also gain exposure to Allstate through mutual funds and ETFs.

Guidewire Software

Guidewire Software (GWRE 0.34%) is a leading provider of software solutions tailored for the property and casualty (P&C) insurance industry. Its products, which include systems for underwriting, policy administration, billing, and claims management, are designed to help insurers streamline their operations, improve efficiency, and enhance customer service. Nationwide and many other major insurance companies use Guidewire's technology.

Lemonade

Lemonade (LMND 1.63%) is transforming the industry with its technology-driven approach, using artificial intelligence and machine learning to streamline processes and enhance customer experience. This innovative model allows for rapid claims processing and a highly user-friendly digital platform, attracting tech-savvy, younger consumers. By investing in Lemonade, you can gain exposure to an up-and-coming company that is changing the game for insurance practices and industry standards.

Follow this step-by-step guide to buy stock in companies similar to Nationwide.

Open your brokerage app: Log in to your brokerage account where you handle your investments.
Search for the stock: Enter the ticker (ALL, GWRE, or LMND) or company name into the search bar to bring up the stock's trading page.
Decide how many shares to buy: Consider your investment goals and how much of your portfolio you want to allocate to this stock.
Select order type: Choose between a market order to buy at the current price or a limit order to specify the maximum price you're willing to pay.
Submit your order: Confirm the details and submit your buy order.
Review your purchase: Check your portfolio to ensure your order was filled as expected and adjust your investment strategy accordingly.

Should I invest?

Should I invest in Nationwide-related stocks?

Deciding whether to invest in stocks related to Nationwide depends on your personal circumstances and investment strategy.

Reasons to consider investing

Here are a few reasons you might consider investing in Nationwide-related stocks:

You believe in the resilience of the insurance industry

If you expect steady demand for insurance products, companies like Allstate and Progressive (PGR -1.17%) can be solid long-term investments. The insurance industry is known for its stability and capacity to generate consistent returns, even in uncertain economic times.

You believe that insurers can benefit from an uptick in natural disasters

Insurance companies can often charge higher premiums following a natural disaster. They may see higher demand for coverage and increased government regulation, encouraging or requiring insurance in response to such events. However, it's important to note that the payouts from multiple natural disasters could bankrupt insurance companies.

You think the baby boomer retirement wave will have an effect

Many insurance companies, like Nationwide, also provide financial products, such as retirement accounts. An aging population in the U.S. could lead to more demand for these types of products.

Reasons to avoid the investment

While there are good reasons for investing in insurance companies, there are several reasons you might decide it's not right for your portfolio. These include:

You aren't interested in stocks with limited growth potential

Traditional insurance companies like Nationwide often exhibit slower growth compared to other sectors. While they provide stability and steady returns, they may not offer the high growth potential some investors seek. This can be less appealing to those looking for significant capital appreciation over a shorter period.

You want something that's insulated from the interest rate environment

Interest rates heavily influence insurance companies' financial performance. When interest rates are low, returns on their investment portfolios, which primarily consist of bonds and other fixed-income securities, are also low. This can reduce overall profitability and hurt stock performance.

You feel there will be a reason for high claims payouts

In periods of increased claims, such as during natural disasters or pandemics, insurance companies can face substantial financial strain. High claims payouts can significantly affect an insurance company's financial health and reduce its profit margins, making its stocks less attractive to investors seeking stable returns.

ETF options

ETFs with exposure to Nationwide

For those looking for broader exposure to the insurance sector, there are several ETFs that include companies similar to Nationwide. Here are a few options:

Data source: Yahoo! Finance. Data current as of June 28, 2025.
ETF Name and Ticker	Exposure to Nationwide-Related Companies	Net Assets	Expense Ratio
Vanguard Financials Index Fund ETF (NYSEMKT:VFH)	Broad exposure to the financial sector, including insurance companies	$13.04 billion	0.09%
Invesco KBW Property & Casualty Insurance ETF (NASDAQ:KBWP)	Targeted exposure to property and casualty insurance companies	$505.43 million	0.35%
Fidelity MSCI Financials Index ETF (NYSEMKT:FNCL)	Tracks the MSCI USA IMI Financials Index, covering a wide range of financial companies, including insurers	$2.23 billion	0.08%
Global X FinTech ETF (NASDAQ:FINX)	Invests in financial technology companies affecting the insurance industry	$281.15 million	0.68%
SPDR S&P 500 Financials ETF (NYSEMKT:XLF)	Tracks the financial sector of the S&P 500, including major insurance companies	$49.63 billion	0.08%
iShares Global Financials ETF (NYSEMKT:IXG)	Provides exposure to global financial companies, including insurers across various regions	$506.22 million	0.41%

The bottom line on Nationwide

Although you can't directly invest in Nationwide since it's not publicly traded, there are several ways to gain indirect exposure to its performance. By investing in related companies and ETFs, you can benefit from Nationwide's success and the broader insurance sector's stability.

FAQ

Investing in Nationwide FAQ

Does Nationwide offer investing?

Nationwide is a mutual insurance company and does not offer investing services. However, it provides various financial products and services, including retirement accounts like 401(k)s, education plans like 529 plans, investment advisory services, and mutual funds.

Can you buy Nationwide shares?

No, you can't buy Nationwide shares directly because Nationwide is not a publicly traded company.

Is Nationwide a public company?

No, Nationwide is not a public company. It is a mutual company owned by its policyholders. This structure allows Nationwide to focus on its customers' best interests rather than maximizing shareholder value.

Is Nationwide a good company to invest in?

Since Nationwide isn't publicly traded, you can't invest in it.

Is Nationwide financially stable?

Nationwide is financially stable. It posted net investment income of $6.5 billion in 2024, a 14% increase from the previous year. It has received high ratings from AM Best, Moody's, and Standard & Poor's rating services.