AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Sets New 52-Week Low Following Weak Earnings

Shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) reached a new 52-week low on Thursday following a dissappointing earnings announcement. The stock traded as low as $35.40 and last traded at $35.4250, with a volume of 16306 shares. The stock had previously closed at $36.89.

The insurance provider reported $0.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.57 by ($0.06). AMERISAFE had a net margin of 16.12% and a return on equity of 16.94%. The firm had revenue of $81.59 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $80.05 million.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a $0.41 dividend. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 59.77%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AMSF has been the subject of several research reports. Wall Street Zen raised shares of AMERISAFE from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, January 31st. Weiss Ratings restated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Citizens Jmp cut their price target on AMERISAFE from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a “market outperform” rating for the company in a report on Friday, January 16th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $55.00 target price on AMERISAFE in a report on Friday, January 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $53.33.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its stake in AMERISAFE by 5.1% during the first quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 83,478 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $4,387,000 after acquiring an additional 4,050 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. grew its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 4.3% during the 1st quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,313 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $594,000 after purchasing an additional 471 shares during the period. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. increased its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 82.6% during the 1st quarter. Goldman Sachs Group Inc. now owns 217,280 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $11,418,000 after purchasing an additional 98,293 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC raised its holdings in AMERISAFE by 8.7% in the 1st quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 43,118 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $2,266,000 after buying an additional 3,435 shares during the period. Finally, Jane Street Group LLC lifted its position in AMERISAFE by 106.8% in the first quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 29,176 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,533,000 after buying an additional 15,070 shares during the last quarter. 97.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AMERISAFE Price Performance

The company has a market cap of $657.47 million, a PE ratio of 13.31 and a beta of 0.35. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is $38.04 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $40.87.

AMERISAFE Company Profile

Amerisafe, Inc (NASDAQ: AMSF) is a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance products and services in the United States. The company focuses on underwriting and managing workers’ compensation policies for small to mid-sized public and private businesses, particularly in higher-hazard industries such as retail, manufacturing, distribution and wholesale. Through its network of independent agents, Amerisafe delivers tailored coverage solutions that combine robust risk management support with loss prevention programs designed to enhance workplace safety.

In addition to core insurance offerings, Amerisafe provides extensive risk control resources, including safety training, on-site consultations and claims management services.