UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Buys 31,042 Shares of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS)

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its stake in shares of AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS - Free Report) by 12.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 285,593 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 31,042 shares during the period. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned about 0.34% of AXIS Capital worth $25,309,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of AXS. Raymond James Financial Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of AXIS Capital in the fourth quarter worth approximately $88,175,000. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of AXIS Capital in the fourth quarter worth approximately $88,147,000. FIL Ltd purchased a new stake in shares of AXIS Capital in the fourth quarter worth approximately $43,893,000. Massachusetts Financial Services Co. MA purchased a new stake in shares of AXIS Capital in the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,775,000. Finally, Swedbank AB purchased a new stake in shares of AXIS Capital in the fourth quarter worth approximately $31,118,000. 93.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at AXIS Capital

In other news, Director Charles A. Davis sold 2,139,037 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Wednesday, March 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of $93.50, for a total value of $199,999,959.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 2,404,133 shares of the company's stock, valued at $224,786,435.50. This trade represents a 47.08% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 0.70% of the company's stock.

AXIS Capital Stock Performance

NYSE AXS traded up $1.35 on Friday, hitting $103.90. 640,228 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 594,341. The business's fifty day moving average is $97.55 and its two-hundred day moving average is $93.18. AXIS Capital Holdings Limited has a 12 month low of $68.02 and a 12 month high of $105.16. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.17 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.41, a PEG ratio of 3.96 and a beta of 0.82. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.60 and a current ratio of 0.60.

AXIS Capital (NYSE:AXS - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 30th. The insurance provider reported $3.17 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.64 by $0.53. AXIS Capital had a return on equity of 18.89% and a net margin of 18.16%. The business had revenue of $1.52 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.83 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.07 earnings per share. AXIS Capital's revenue was up 6.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AXIS Capital Holdings Limited will post 11.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AXIS Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 17th. Shareholders of record on Monday, June 30th will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.69%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, June 30th. AXIS Capital's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 17.46%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AXS has been the subject of several analyst reports. UBS Group increased their price objective on AXIS Capital from $105.00 to $115.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on AXIS Capital from $114.00 to $118.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Cowen reaffirmed a "buy" rating on shares of AXIS Capital in a research report on Wednesday, May 14th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price target on AXIS Capital from $116.00 to $119.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Friday, April 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on AXIS Capital from $100.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 6th. Three investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eight have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the stock has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $107.75.

AXIS Capital Profile

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides various specialty insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Insurance segment offers professional insurance products that cover directors' and officers' liability, errors and omissions, employment practices, fiduciary, crime, professional indemnity, medical malpractice, and other financial insurance related coverages for commercial enterprises, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and other professional service providers; and property insurance products for commercial buildings, residential premises, construction projects, property in transit, onshore renewable energy installations, and physical damage and business interruption following an act of terrorism.