AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Rating Reiterated by JMP Securities

JMP Securities reaffirmed their market outperform rating on shares of AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) in a research report released on Tuesday, Benzinga reports. They currently have a $65.00 price target on the insurance provider’s stock.

Separately, StockNews.com upgraded shares of AMERISAFE from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Thursday, August 8th.

AMERISAFE Stock Performance

AMERISAFE stock opened at $51.52 on Tuesday. AMERISAFE has a fifty-two week low of $41.97 and a fifty-two week high of $54.80. The stock has a market cap of $985.84 million, a P/E ratio of 16.05 and a beta of 0.34. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $48.73 and its 200-day moving average price is $46.94.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.58 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.61 by ($0.03). AMERISAFE had a return on equity of 16.38% and a net margin of 18.46%. The firm had revenue of $75.83 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $74.20 million. During the same period last year, the firm earned $0.73 EPS. On average, analysts predict that AMERISAFE will post 2.4 earnings per share for the current year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 20th. Stockholders of record on Friday, September 6th were given a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 6th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.87%. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio is currently 46.11%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMSF. Kathleen S. Wright Associates Inc. purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE in the third quarter worth $28,000. Quarry LP increased its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 1,028.4% in the 2nd quarter. Quarry LP now owns 756 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $33,000 after purchasing an additional 689 shares in the last quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC raised its position in AMERISAFE by 14.4% in the 2nd quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 76,870 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $34,000 after buying an additional 9,672 shares during the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 97.1% during the third quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 822 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 405 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Point72 DIFC Ltd bought a new position in shares of AMERISAFE during the 2nd quarter valued at $100,000. 97.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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.