Axis Capital Holdings Limited (AXS) - What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Thirteen firms give Axis Capital a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, with eight buys, four holds, and one strong buy. The average 12-month price target is $119.08 versus a recent price of $99.46.
• Axis Capital’s latest quarterly results were mixed: revenue rose 7.4% year over year to $1.75 billion and slightly exceeded estimates, but earnings of $2.84 per share missed consensus by $0.41.
• The company paid a quarterly dividend of $0.44 per share, equivalent to an annualized $1.76 payout and a 1.8% yield. Institutional investors and hedge funds own a substantial 93.44% of the stock.

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS - Get Free Report) has earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirteen research firms that are covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $119.08.

A number of brokerages have issued reports on AXS. Capital One Financial set a $108.00 target price on shares of Axis Capital in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $131.00 to $125.00 and set an "outperform" rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, August 4th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Axis Capital from a "buy (b+)" rating to a "buy (a-)" rating in a research report on Thursday, October 8th. Mizuho dropped their price target on shares of Axis Capital from $118.00 to $116.00 and set an "outperform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, October 7th. Finally, Atlantic Securities set a $122.00 price target on Axis Capital in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th.

Axis Capital Trading Up 1.6%

Shares of Axis Capital stock opened at $99.46 on Friday. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $98.36 and a 200-day moving average of $101.81. The stock has a market cap of $7.26 billion, a PE ratio of 7.06, a PEG ratio of 3.42 and a beta of 0.45. Axis Capital has a 52-week low of $88.07 and a 52-week high of $119.99. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26, a quick ratio of 0.64 and a current ratio of 0.64.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $2.84 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.25 by ($0.41). Axis Capital had a return on equity of 17.00% and a net margin of 16.23%. The business had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.74 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.29 earnings per share. Axis Capital's revenue was up 7.4% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, sell-side analysts forecast that Axis Capital will post 12.44 EPS for the current year.

Axis Capital Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 15th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, September 30th were paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, September 30th. Axis Capital's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.50%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Axis Capital

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Curated Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in shares of Axis Capital in the third quarter worth $345,000. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC raised its stake in Axis Capital by 10.5% in the third quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 7,255 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $707,000 after purchasing an additional 687 shares in the last quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC raised its stake in Axis Capital by 23.8% in the third quarter. Farther Finance Advisors LLC now owns 1,414 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $133,000 after purchasing an additional 272 shares in the last quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. lifted its position in Axis Capital by 8.0% during the second quarter. QRG Capital Management Inc. now owns 5,849 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $628,000 after purchasing an additional 433 shares during the period. Finally, Envestnet Portfolio Solutions Inc. bought a new stake in Axis Capital during the second quarter worth about $422,000. 93.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Axis Capital Company Profile

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited is a global specialty insurance and reinsurance company headquartered in Bermuda. Through its insurance and reinsurance operations, the company provides coverage and risk-transfer solutions for businesses, institutions, and other insurers.

Its insurance offerings include commercial property and casualty coverage, professional liability, cyber insurance, marine and aviation insurance, accident and health products, and other specialty lines. Its reinsurance business supports primary insurers across property, casualty, specialty, and other risks, using both treaty and facultative arrangements.

Founded in 2001, AXIS serves clients and distribution partners through operations in key insurance markets, including Bermuda, the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Europe, and other international locations.

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