AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) Sees Large Increase in Short Interest

AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) saw a large growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 13th, there was short interest totaling 372,998 shares, a growth of 62.0% from the January 29th total of 230,287 shares. Currently, 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 168,282 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 168,282 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.2 days. Currently, 2.0% of the shares of the stock are short sold.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AMERISAFE

A number of institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 142.4% during the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 657 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after buying an additional 386 shares in the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its stake in AMERISAFE by 159.6% during the fourth quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 714 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $27,000 after acquiring an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Quarry LP increased its stake in AMERISAFE by 346.9% during the third quarter. Quarry LP now owns 943 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 732 shares during the last quarter. Kemnay Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $54,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in shares of AMERISAFE by 38.6% in the 3rd quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,633 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $72,000 after purchasing an additional 455 shares during the last quarter. 97.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AMERISAFE Trading Down 3.3%

NASDAQ:AMSF opened at $32.53 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $615.47 million, a P/E ratio of 13.17 and a beta of 0.35. AMERISAFE has a 12 month low of $32.00 and a 12 month high of $53.27. The business’s 50-day moving average is $37.79 and its 200 day moving average is $40.70.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 25th. The insurance provider reported $0.51 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.57 by ($0.06). AMERISAFE had a net margin of 14.86% and a return on equity of 15.66%. The firm had revenue of $81.59 million for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $80.05 million. On average, research analysts forecast that AMERISAFE will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year.

AMERISAFE Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 20th. Investors of record on Friday, March 13th will be paid a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, March 13th. This represents a $1.64 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 5.0%. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio is presently 63.16%.

Key Headlines Impacting AMERISAFE

Here are the key news stories impacting AMERISAFE this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Company raised its quarterly dividend ~5.1% (annualized yield ~4.9%), which supports income-focused investors and signals capital-return confidence. AMERISAFE Increases Dividend by 5.1%
• Positive Sentiment: Revenue and written premiums showed year-over-year growth in Q4 and management highlighted solid ROE on the earnings call — positives for longer-term underwriting trends. Q4 2025 Earnings Call Highlights
• Neutral Sentiment: Full Q4 earnings call and multiple transcripts are available; they provide detail but contain mixed signals (premium growth vs. expense pressure). Useful for investors doing deeper due diligence. Earnings Call Transcript
• Negative Sentiment: Q4 EPS missed consensus ($0.51 vs. ~$0.57); expenses rose, compressing margins despite higher premiums and investment income — the primary near-term driver of the share decline. AMSF Misses on Q4 Earnings Despite Rising Premiums, Hikes Dividend
• Negative Sentiment: Truist cut its price target from $45 to $36 and set a “hold” rating; an analyst downgrade/target cut increases selling pressure and may anchor near-term sentiment. Truist Lowers Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: Short interest rose materially in February (reports show ~372,998 shares at one point, ~2% of float) and there have been recent insider sales; both can amplify downward moves and volatility. Quiver Quant Coverage (contains short/insider data)
• Negative Sentiment: Technically the stock is trading below its 50- and 200-day moving averages, which typically weighs on sentiment and can trigger additional selling from trend-following funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have commented on AMSF shares. Morgan Stanley set a $55.00 price target on AMERISAFE in a report on Friday, January 16th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “hold (c-)” rating on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Monday, December 29th. Wall Street Zen cut AMERISAFE from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday. Citizens Jmp dropped their price target on AMERISAFE from $60.00 to $55.00 and set a “market outperform” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 16th. Finally, Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Friday, January 16th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and two have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $48.67.

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.