AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Stock Price Target Lowered at Truist Financial

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) had its price target lowered by Truist Financial from $27.00 to $25.00 in a report released on Friday,Benzinga reports. The brokerage currently has a hold rating on the insurance provider’s stock.

Several other research analysts have also weighed in on AMSF. Weiss Ratings restated a “sell (d+)” rating on shares of AMERISAFE in a research note on Monday. Morgan Stanley set a $40.00 target price on shares of AMERISAFE in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Zacks Research upgraded AMERISAFE from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, September 28th. Citigroup reiterated a “market outperform” rating on shares of AMERISAFE in a report on Monday, October 12th. Finally, Citizens Jmp lowered their price target on AMERISAFE from $40.00 to $35.00 and set a “market outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have assigned a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $33.33.

AMERISAFE Trading Down 9.4%

Shares of AMSF opened at $20.91 on Friday. The company has a market cap of $387.67 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.48 and a beta of 0.24. AMERISAFE has a 1-year low of $20.87 and a 1-year high of $42.10. The company’s fifty day simple moving average is $24.90 and its 200 day simple moving average is $30.98.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 28th. The insurance provider reported $0.40 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.48 by ($0.08). The firm had revenue of $79.81 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $84.72 million. AMERISAFE had a return on equity of 14.15% and a net margin of 12.10%. As a group, research analysts forecast that AMERISAFE will post 1.95 earnings per share for the current year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, December 11th. Shareholders of record on Friday, December 4th will be issued a dividend of $0.41 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, December 4th. This represents a $1.64 annualized dividend and a yield of 7.8%. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 76.28%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On AMERISAFE

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AMSF. Mirae Asset Global Investments Co. Ltd. bought a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE during the 3rd quarter worth about $417,000. Isthmus Partners LLC grew its stake in AMERISAFE by 28.1% in the 3rd quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 136,969 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $3,237,000 after buying an additional 30,083 shares during the last quarter. Counterpoint Mutual Funds LLC acquired a new position in AMERISAFE in the 3rd quarter valued at about $431,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its holdings in AMERISAFE by 978.4% in the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 1,650 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 1,497 shares during the period. Finally, Sequoia Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in AMERISAFE in the 2nd quarter valued at about $411,000. 97.41% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

AMERISAFE News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting AMERISAFE this week:

• Positive Sentiment: AMERISAFE declared a quarterly dividend of $0.41 per share, or $1.64 annualized, representing an approximately 7.1% yield. The dividend is payable December 11 to shareholders of record December 4. AMERISAFE dividend and earnings report
• Positive Sentiment: Management expects workers’ compensation loss costs to decline by roughly 5% to 6% into 2027, which could support underwriting profitability if pricing and claims trends stabilize. AMERISAFE loss cost outlook
• Neutral Sentiment: Citizens lowered its price target from $40 to $35 but maintained a “market outperform” rating, while Truist cut its target from $27 to $25 and retained a “hold” rating. Both targets remain above the current trading level, but the reductions signal lower near-term earnings expectations. AMERISAFE Citizens price target
• Negative Sentiment: Third-quarter adjusted earnings were $0.40 per share, below estimates near $0.47-$0.49 and down from $0.55 a year earlier. Revenue of approximately $76.7 million to $79.8 million also missed expectations of roughly $84.7-$85.9 million. AMERISAFE third-quarter earnings miss
• Negative Sentiment: The quarter marked a fifth consecutive earnings decline, while eroding margins, higher commission costs and falling new-business volumes raised concerns about operating leverage and competitive pricing. AMERISAFE Q3 earnings and margin report

About AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE, Inc is a specialty workers’ compensation insurance company serving small and midsized businesses. The company focuses on employers in industries with elevated workplace risks, including construction, trucking, logging, agriculture, manufacturing, and maritime operations.

Through its insurance subsidiaries, AMERISAFE provides workers’ compensation coverage designed to protect businesses from costs associated with workplace injuries and occupational illnesses. Its services also include workplace safety and loss-control support, claims management, medical cost containment, and premium audit services.

Headquartered in DeRidder, Louisiana, AMERISAFE primarily serves employers in the southeastern and south-central United States.