AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Reaches New 52-Week Low - What's Next?

Shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) reached a new 52-week low during trading on Wednesday . The stock traded as low as $42.60 and last traded at $42.82, with a volume of 9715 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $43.72.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

AMERISAFE Stock Performance

The firm has a 50-day moving average of $45.85 and a 200-day moving average of $48.94. The firm has a market capitalization of $834.96 million, a P/E ratio of 17.67 and a beta of 0.40.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.60 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.01. AMERISAFE had a net margin of 15.76% and a return on equity of 16.41%. The firm had revenue of $83.78 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $76.66 million. Equities analysts anticipate that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.45 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AMERISAFE Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, June 20th. Shareholders of record on Friday, June 13th were given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.56%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, June 13th. AMERISAFE's payout ratio is 62.90%.

Institutional Trading of AMERISAFE

Institutional investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE in the 4th quarter worth about $43,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its stake in AMERISAFE by 301.6% in the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,554 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $82,000 after buying an additional 1,167 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its holdings in AMERISAFE by 19.1% in the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $84,000 after buying an additional 257 shares during the period. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE in the fourth quarter worth about $180,000. Finally, Aquatic Capital Management LLC boosted its position in AMERISAFE by 336.1% during the 4th quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 3,925 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $202,000 after acquiring an additional 3,025 shares in the last quarter. 97.41% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

About AMERISAFE

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.