AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) Short Interest Update

Key Points

Error: Response status code does not indicate success: 429 (Too Many Requests).

AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Get Free Report) was the target of a large growth in short interest during the month of July. As of July 31st, there was short interest totaling 315,500 shares, agrowthof54.1% from the July 15th total of 204,800 shares. Approximately1.7% of the company's stock are short sold. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 127,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 127,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 2.5 days. Approximately1.7% of the company's stock are short sold.

AMERISAFE Stock Performance

AMSF traded up $0.67 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $46.89. The stock had a trading volume of 95,020 shares, compared to its average volume of 112,336. The company has a market cap of $890.44 million, a P/E ratio of 17.76 and a beta of 0.39. The business has a fifty day moving average of $44.58 and a 200 day moving average of $47.49. AMERISAFE has a 1 year low of $42.48 and a 1 year high of $60.24.

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

AMERISAFE Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 12th will be given a $0.39 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 12th. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.3%. AMERISAFE's payout ratio is presently 59.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Anastasios Omiridis sold 1,343 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, August 5th. The stock was 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 directly owned 2,253 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $100,821.75. This represents a 37.35% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Insiders own 1.61% of the company's stock.

Institutional Trading of AMERISAFE

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AMSF. Signaturefd LLC lifted its position in AMERISAFE by 170.5% in the second quarter. Signaturefd LLC now owns 779 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 491 shares during the last quarter. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of AMERISAFE during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $43,000. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 301.6% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 1,554 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $82,000 after acquiring an additional 1,167 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 19.1% during the first quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,600 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 257 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tower Research Capital LLC TRC raised its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 87.9% during the second quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 1,920 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $84,000 after acquiring an additional 898 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 97.41% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on the company. Truist Financial decreased their price objective on AMERISAFE from $54.00 to $50.00 and set a "hold" rating for the company in a report on Monday, July 28th. JMP Securities reaffirmed a "market outperform" rating and set a $65.00 target price on shares of AMERISAFE in a report on Wednesday, April 30th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised AMERISAFE from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Sunday, August 17th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and one has issued a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $57.50.

AMERISAFE Company Profile

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.