AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Reaches New 12-Month Low - Here's What Happened

Key Points

• AMERISAFE shares fell to a new 52-week low of $28.75, trading down 1.6% from the prior close amid broad analyst caution.
• Analysts lowered price targets and ratings, including downgrades to “sell” and “strong sell.” The consensus rating is “Hold,” with an average price target of $44.00.
• The company reported quarterly EPS of $0.44, below the $0.52 consensus estimate, although revenue of $91.97 million exceeded expectations. AMERISAFE also declared a $0.41 quarterly dividend, representing a 5.7% yield.

Shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during mid-day trading on Monday . The stock traded as low as $28.75 and last traded at $28.5120, with a volume of 9109 shares trading hands. The stock had previously closed at $29.12.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently weighed in on AMSF shares. Citizens Jmp reduced their price objective on shares of AMERISAFE from $50.00 to $45.00 and set a "market outperform" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, April 13th. Truist Financial lowered their target price on AMERISAFE from $34.00 to $32.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, July 23rd. Zacks Research downgraded AMERISAFE from a "hold" rating to a "strong sell" rating in a report on Monday, July 27th. Weiss Ratings lowered AMERISAFE from a "hold (c-)" rating to a "sell (d+)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, July 28th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised AMERISAFE from a "strong sell" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, May 23rd. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, one has assigned a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, AMERISAFE currently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $44.00.

AMERISAFE Trading Down 1.6%

The stock's 50-day moving average price is $32.07 and its 200-day moving average price is $33.27. The stock has a market cap of $531.26 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.54 and a beta of 0.24.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, July 21st. The insurance provider reported $0.44 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.52 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $91.97 million for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $85.09 million. AMERISAFE had a return on equity of 14.87% and a net margin of 14.00%. As a group, analysts predict that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 1.97 earnings per share for the current year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 25th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 11th will be given a $0.41 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, September 11th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.7%. AMERISAFE's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 66.13%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On AMERISAFE

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 142.4% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 657 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $25,000 after buying an additional 386 shares during the last quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its holdings 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 buying an additional 439 shares during the last quarter. Diversified Trust Co increased its holdings in AMERISAFE by 4.5% during the first quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 10,693 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $356,000 after buying an additional 460 shares during the last quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. increased its holdings in AMERISAFE by 4.3% during the first quarter. MIRAE ASSET GLOBAL ETFS HOLDINGS Ltd. now owns 11,313 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $594,000 after buying an additional 471 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Swiss National Bank raised its position in AMERISAFE by 1.4% in the fourth quarter. Swiss National Bank now owns 37,400 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,437,000 after acquiring an additional 500 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 97.41% of the company's stock.

About AMERISAFE

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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