AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Reaches New 1-Year Low - Here's Why

Key Points

• AMERISAFE shares fell to a new 52-week low of $27.02, well below their 50-day and 200-day moving averages. Recent analyst sentiment weakened, with downgrades from Weiss Ratings and Zacks Research; the overall consensus remains “Hold” with a $44 price target.
• The insurer’s latest quarterly results missed expectations on earnings, reporting $0.44 EPS versus a $0.52 consensus, although revenue of $91.97 million exceeded estimates.
• AMERISAFE declared a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, equal to a 6.1% annualized yield and a 66.13% payout ratio; institutional investors own 97.41% of the company.

AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) hit a new 52-week low during trading on Monday . The company traded as low as $27.02 and last traded at $27.2450, with a volume of 25974 shares traded. The stock had previously closed at $27.65.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AMSF has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Weiss Ratings lowered AMERISAFE from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Zacks Research downgraded AMERISAFE from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a research note on Monday, July 27th. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on AMERISAFE from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, July 23rd. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of AMERISAFE from a "strong sell" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, May 23rd. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AMERISAFE presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $44.00.

AMERISAFE Stock Performance

The stock has a market capitalization of $495.04 million, a PE ratio of 10.77 and a beta of 0.24. The firm's 50 day moving average is $31.77 and its two-hundred day moving average is $32.92.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, July 21st. The insurance provider reported $0.44 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.52 by ($0.08). AMERISAFE had a net margin of 14.00% and a return on equity of 14.87%. The business had revenue of $91.97 million during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $85.09 million. On average, analysts anticipate that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 1.97 EPS for the current year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 25th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 11th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 6.1%. AMERISAFE's dividend payout ratio is 66.13%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AMERISAFE

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in AMSF. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its stake in AMERISAFE by 142.4% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 657 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $25,000 after acquiring an additional 386 shares during the last quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE during the 2nd quarter worth $26,000. Hantz Financial Services Inc. lifted its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 159.6% during the 4th quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 714 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of AMERISAFE by 5,714.3% during the first quarter. Parallel Advisors LLC now owns 814 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $27,000 after purchasing an additional 800 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Allworth Financial LP acquired a new position in shares of AMERISAFE during the second quarter worth $38,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.41% of the company's stock.

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.

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