Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC Sells 16,313 Shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF)

Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC cut its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Free Report) by 33.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 31,879 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 16,313 shares during the quarter. Cubist Systematic Strategies LLC owned 0.17% of AMERISAFE worth $1,643,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors also recently made changes to their positions in AMSF. Ameriprise Financial Inc. raised its stake in AMERISAFE by 7.8% in the fourth quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 102,843 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $5,301,000 after purchasing an additional 7,399 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 3.8% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 206,675 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $10,652,000 after buying an additional 7,517 shares in the last quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL raised its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 83.5% in the 4th quarter. Tudor Investment Corp ET AL now owns 24,733 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,275,000 after buying an additional 11,258 shares in the last quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 336.1% during the 4th quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 3,925 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $202,000 after acquiring an additional 3,025 shares during the period. Finally, Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD boosted its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Price T Rowe Associates Inc. MD now owns 15,918 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $821,000 after acquiring an additional 1,210 shares in the last quarter. 97.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AMERISAFE Trading Up 0.9%

AMERISAFE stock traded up $0.43 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $47.95. The company's stock had a trading volume of 99,604 shares, compared to its average volume of 110,365. The stock has a market cap of $913.45 million, a PE ratio of 14.98 and a beta of 0.41. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a 52 week low of $41.97 and a 52 week high of $60.24. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $49.53 and a 200-day moving average price of $51.80.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.01. The company had revenue of $83.78 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $76.66 million. AMERISAFE had a net margin of 19.49% and a return on equity of 16.50%. As a group, research analysts predict that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, June 13th. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.25%. AMERISAFE's payout ratio is presently 62.90%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, JMP Securities restated a "market outperform" rating and set a $65.00 price objective on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th.

AMERISAFE Company Profile

AMERISAFE, Inc, an insurance holding company, underwrites workers' compensation insurance in the United States. The company provides benefits to injured employees for temporary or permanent disability, death, and medical and hospital expenses. It sells its products through retail and wholesale brokers and agents; and small and mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, including construction, trucking, logging and lumber, agriculture, manufacturing, telecommunications, and maritime.