AMERISAFE, Inc. $AMSF Shares Acquired by Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc.

Key Points

• Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. significantly increased its stake in AMERISAFE, Inc. by 217.9% during the first quarter, owning 57,034 shares worth approximately $2.99 million.
• AMERISAFE recently declared a quarterly dividend of $0.39 per share, translating to an annualized yield of 3.4% and a payout ratio of 59.09%.
• AMERISAFE's stock currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy", with a target price of $57.50, after recent performance reviews by several financial analysts.

Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. boosted its stake in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Free Report) by 217.9% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 57,034 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 39,095 shares during the quarter. Jacobs Levy Equity Management Inc. owned approximately 0.30% of AMERISAFE worth $2,997,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in AMERISAFE in the 4th quarter valued at about $43,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. lifted its stake in AMERISAFE by 301.6% in the 1st quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,554 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $82,000 after purchasing an additional 1,167 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC lifted its stake in AMERISAFE by 19.1% in the 1st quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $84,000 after purchasing an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd lifted its stake in AMERISAFE by 144.2% in the 1st quarter. R Squared Ltd now owns 4,696 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $247,000 after purchasing an additional 2,773 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Two Sigma Advisers LP purchased a new position in AMERISAFE in the 4th quarter worth approximately $283,000. 97.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Truist Financial decreased their target price on shares of AMERISAFE from $54.00 to $50.00 and set a "hold" rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 28th. Wall Street Zen raised shares of AMERISAFE from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Sunday, August 17th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $57.50.

AMERISAFE Price Performance

Shares of AMSF stock traded down $0.20 during trading on Monday, hitting $44.08. 17,967 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 101,919. The firm has a market capitalization of $836.98 million, a P/E ratio of 16.70 and a beta of 0.38. The firm's fifty day moving average price is $45.21 and its 200-day moving average price is $47.03. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a 52-week low of $42.48 and a 52-week high of $60.24.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, July 24th. The insurance provider reported $0.53 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.55 by ($0.02). AMERISAFE had a net margin of 16.46% and a return on equity of 16.54%. The firm had revenue of $79.70 million for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $77.30 million. As a group, equities research analysts expect that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Investors of record on Friday, September 12th will be issued a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.5%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 12th. AMERISAFE's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 59.09%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, CFO Anastasios Omiridis sold 1,343 shares of AMERISAFE stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $44.75, for a total value of $60,099.25. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 2,253 shares in the company, valued at approximately $100,821.75. This trade represents a 37.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 1.61% of the company's stock.

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.