AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) Azioni

AMERISAFE

AMERISAFE Inc is a specialty provider of workers' compensation insurance focused on small to mid-sized employers engaged in hazardous industries, principally construction, trucking, logging and lumber, agriculture, manufacturing, maritime, and telecommunications. The company generates a majority of its revenue in the form of premiums.

AMERISAFE Inc

JMP Securities analyst Matthew Carletti reiterates AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) with a Market Outperform and maintains $65 price target.

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Price Target

Reiteration

Analyst Ratings

AMSF

JMP Securities Reiterates Market Outperform on AMERISAFE, Maintains $65 Price Target

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.60 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.61 by 1.64 percent. This is a 13.04 percent decrease over earnings of $0.69 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $72.60 million which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $76.78 million by 5.45 percent. This is a 9.81 percent decrease over sales of $80.49 million the same period last year.

Earnings

Earnings Misses

AMERISAFE Q1 Adj. EPS $0.60 Misses $0.61 Estimate, Sales $72.60M Miss $76.78M Estimate

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HSBC

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Laboratory Corporation Of America Holdings

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Earnings Scheduled For April 29, 2025

Dividends

AMERISAFE Increases Dividend From $0.37 To $0.39

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Core Scientific, Inc. - Class A Common Stock

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GSX Techedu Inc. American Depositary Shares

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Earnings Scheduled For February 26, 2025

Truist Securities analyst Mark Hughes maintains AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $48 to $54.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on AMERISAFE, Raises Price Target to $54

WIIM

Amerisafe shares are trading higher after the company reporting better-than-expected Q3 financial results. The company also announced a special dividend of $3.00 per share.

AMERISAFE Declares Special Dividend Of $3.00 Per Share

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.75 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.58 by 29.31 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $78.695 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $75.320 million by 4.48 percent. This is a 8.34 percent increase over sales of $72.640 million the same period last year.

Earnings Beats

AMERISAFE Q3 2024 Adj. EPS $0.75 Beats $0.58 Estimate, Sales $78.695M Beat $75.320M Estimate

AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amsf#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) is currently considered expensive on a relative basis, with the stock trading at a 22X forward 12-month price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio, which is at a premium compared with its five-year median of 20.21X and the Zacks&nbsp;Insurance - Accident and Health average of 13.36X. A premium valuation generally indicates that the market has strong confidence in the company&#39;s prospects. However, this necessitates scrutiny to determine if this higher price is warranted.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/a5/80818.jpg?v=1155545738" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:310px; width:600px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
In comparison, other insurers like&nbsp;Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eig#NYSE">EIG</a>) and&nbsp;ProAssurance Corporation (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/pra#NYSE">PRA</a>) are cheaper at 13.30X and 19.72X, respectively.
A brief analysis is needed to determine whether AMSF&#39;s premium valuation is justified based on its growth prospects and fundamentals.
Let&#39;s delve deeper.
Incorporated in 1985 and headquartered in DeRidder, LA, AMERISAFE currently has a market cap of $909.9 million. It is well positioned for growth, leveraging rising investment income and a robust balance sheet.
AMSF&#39;s extensive experience in hazardous industries and a high policy retention rate are major positives. Its cost-saving initiatives are expected to support its bottom line. Last year, it lowered loss and loss adjustment expenses by 2.7%.
The long time lag between receiving premiums and settling claims allows the company to invest funds for extended periods, compounding returns more effectively than insurers with quicker claim payouts, thereby boosting its investment income potential. Last year, it recorded a net investment income of $31.3 million, which advanced by 15.1%, resulting from increased fixed-income reinvestment rates. The first half of 2024 also witnessed higher reinvestment rates.
AMSF&#39;s solid balance sheet, with no debt and $884.2 million in investments and cash as of June 30, 2024, supports initiatives to boost shareholder value. The company raised its quarterly dividend by 8.8% in February 2024, continuing its steady dividend payments since 2013. In the second quarter, AMERISAFE repurchased $4.1 million worth of shares, with $6.3 million remaining in its buyback program as of June 30.
<h2>Should Investors Pay the Premium for AMSF?</h2>
The factors mentioned above have contributed to AMERISAFE&#39;s premium valuation, reflecting strong investor confidence in its future growth and profitability. As a result, investors are willing to pay a higher price for the stock, anticipating that it will outperform both its industry peers and the broader market in the coming months.
However, uncertainty surrounds the stock due to AMERISAFE&#39;s continuous decline in net premiums earned over the past five years. If this trend persists, it could potentially impede the company&#39;s ability to enhance its profits. The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 earnings is pegged at $2.40 per share, indicating a 17.5% year-over-year decline. The same for 2025 signals a further 12.5% fall.
Also, AMERISAFE has faced a downward trend in free cash flow from 2018 to 2022, indicating potential operational challenges. While it saw a 12.2% increase in 2023, the sustainability of this growth is uncertain. In the trailing 12 months, free cash flow dropped sharply by 56.7%, raising concerns about the company&#39;s long-term financial health.
Despite these headwinds, the company&#39;s overall outlook remains positive. Leading brokers have raised AMSF&#39;s short-term price target by 12.47% from its recent closing price of $47.72, with the highest target set at $65, representing a potential upside of 36.21%.
<img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/06/80819.jpg?v=1182891382" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:315px; width:600px" />
Image Source: Zacks Investment Research
Existing investors should hold onto AMERISAFE stock to capitalize on its upward price movement. However, new investors might want to wait for a better entry point. Currently, the stock has a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) and appears overvalued, suggesting that it may not be the ideal time to buy. Waiting for a more attractive valuation could present a better opportunity to invest.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2347764/is-amerisafe-stock-a-pricey-pick-or-a-hidden-gem-for-your-portfolio?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2347764">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

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Insurance

Is AMERISAFE Stock a Pricey Pick or a Hidden Gem for Your Portfolio?

AMERISAFE, Inc.&#39;s (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/amsf#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) shares have lost 5.3% since it reported second-quarter 2024 results on Jul 29. Investors may have been worried about weakness in underwriting results inducing a deterioration in the net combined ratio. An elevated operating expense level, resulting from an increase in loss and loss adjustment expenses incurred, underwriting and other operating costs and policyholder dividends, also contributed to the downside. Improved audit premiums partially offset the negatives.
AMSF reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of 58 cents, which missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.9%. Moreover, the bottom line dipped 20.5% year over year.
Operating revenues improved 3.4% year over year to $76 million. The top line beat the consensus mark by 2.4%.
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<h3>AMERISAFE, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise</h3>
<img alt="AMERISAFE, Inc. Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/32/1722871229.png" style="height:265px; width:620px" title="" />
AMERISAFE, Inc. price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | AMERISAFE, Inc. Quote
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<h3>Q2 Performance</h3>
Net premiums earned of $68.6 million improved 4.6% year over year in the quarter under review and outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $66 million. The metric benefited from improved contributions from payroll audits and related premium adjustments as a result of persistent payroll strength.
Net investment income dipped 3.6% year over year to $7.4 million due to a reduced portfolio size. However, this was partially offset by improved reinvestment rates. The metric fell short of the consensus mark of $7.8 million. Fee and other losses were $75 million.
AMERISAFE reported a pre-tax underwriting profit of $6.5 million, which declined 31.2% year over year.
Total expenses escalated 10.7% year over year to $62.1 million in the second quarter.
Operating net income of $11.1 million decreased 20.2% year over year.
The net combined ratio deteriorated 510 basis points (bps) year over year to 90.5% and came higher than the consensus mark of 90%. The metric suffered due to a deteriorating net loss ratio.
<h3>Financial Update (as of Jun 30, 2024)</h3>
AMERISAFE exited the second quarter with cash and cash equivalents of $30.6 million, which declined 20.9% from the 2023-end level.
Total assets of $1.2 billion increased 0.4% from the figure in 2023-end.
Shareholders&#39; equity of $301 million grew 2.9% from the 2023-end level.
Book value per share was $15.78 as of Jun 30, 2024, which improved 3.3% from the 2023-end figure.
Return on average equity deteriorated 400 bps year over year to 14.6% in the quarter under review.
<h3>Dividend Update</h3>
Management announced a quarterly cash dividend of 37 cents per share, which will be paid out on Sep 20, 2024, to its shareholders of record as of Sep 6.
<h3>Zacks Rank</h3>
AMERISAFE currently carries a Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).
<h3>Performances of Other Insurers</h3>
Of the insurance industry players that have reported second-quarter 2024 results so far, the bottom-line results of&nbsp;Marsh &amp; McLennan Companies, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mmc#NYSE">MMC</a>),&nbsp;Brown &amp; Brown, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bro#NYSE">BRO</a>) and&nbsp;Kinsale Capital Group, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/knsl#NYSE">KNSL</a>) beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate.
Marsh &amp; McLennan reported second-quarter 2024 adjusted earnings per share of $2.41, which beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 0.8%. The bottom line advanced 10% year over year.&nbsp; Consolidated revenues rose 6% year over year to $6.2 billion. The figure also improved 6% on an underlying basis.&nbsp; The top line, however, fell short of the consensus mark by 1%. MMC&#39;s adjusted operating income was $1.72 billion, which grew 11% year over year. Adjusted operating margin improved 130 bps year over year to 29%.
The Risk and Insurance Services segment&#39;s revenues were $4.02 billion, which advanced 8% year over year and 7% on an underlying basis. Adjusted operating income advanced 12% year over year to $1.34 billion. Revenues of Marsh, a unit within the segment, improved 8% year over year and 7% on an underlying basis to $3.27 billion. In the United States/Canada, underlying revenues grew 6% year over year. International operations also witnessed underlying revenue growth of 7%. &nbsp;
Brown &amp; Brown&#39;s second-quarter adjusted earnings of 93 cents per share beat the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.8%. The bottom line increased 17.7% year over year. Total revenues of $1.2 billion beat the consensus estimate by 3.3%. The top line improved 12.5% year over year. The upside can be primarily attributed to commission and fees, which grew 11.4% year over year to $1.1 billion.&nbsp;
Organic revenues improved 10% to $1 billion. Investment income more than doubled year over year to $22 million. Adjusted EBITDAC was $420 million, up 17.3% year over year. EBITDAC margin expanded 150 bps year over year to 35.7%.&nbsp;
Kinsale Capital delivered second-quarter net operating earnings of $3.75 per share, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 6.5%. The bottom line increased 30.4% year over year.&nbsp; Operating revenues jumped 45.1% year over year to $378 million. Revenues beat the consensus estimate of $377 million. Gross written premiums of $529.8 million rose 20.9% year over year. Net written premiums climbed 17.9% year over year to $430.2 million.&nbsp;
Net investment income increased 48.3% year over year to $35.8 million. Kinsale Capital&#39;s underwriting income was $76.1 million, which grew 23.6% year over year. The combined ratio deteriorated 100 bps to 77.7% in the quarter under review. The expense ratio deteriorated 10 bps to 21.1, while the loss ratio deteriorated 60 bps to 56.6.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2316354/amerisafe-amsf-stock-down-5-3-since-q2-earnings-miss?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_article-2316354">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

KNSL

AMERISAFE Stock Down 5.3% Since Q2 Earnings Miss

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.57 per share which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $0.63 by 9.52 percent. This is a 21.92 percent decrease over earnings of $0.73 per share from the same period last year. The company reported quarterly sales of $75.83 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $74.19 million by 2.20 percent. This is a 0.23 percent increase over sales of $75.66 million the same period last year.

AMERISAFE Q2 Adj $0.57 Misses $0.63 Estimate, Sales $75.83M Beat $74.19M Estimate

AMERISAFE shares are trading lower after the company reported Q1 financial results.

AMERISAFE Q1 Operating Income Per Share $0.69

AMERISAFE Increases Quarterly Dividend From $0.34 To $0.37/Share

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) reported its Q4 earnings results on Wednesday, February 21, 2024 at 04:05 PM.
Here's what investors need to know about the announcement.
<h3>Earnings</h3>
AMERISAFE beat estimated earnings by 4.23%, reporting an EPS of $0.74 versus an estimate of $0.71.
Revenue was up $355 thousand from the same period last year.
<h3>Past Earnings Performance</h3>
Last quarter the company missed on EPS by $0.08 which was followed by a 2.77% drop in the share price the next day.
Here's a look at AMERISAFE's past performance:

<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Quarter</th>
<th>Q3 2023</th>
<th>Q2 2023</th>
<th>Q1 2023</th>
<th>Q4 2022</th>
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</thead>
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<td>EPS Estimate</td>
<td>0.69</td>
<td>0.72</td>
<td>0.72</td>
<td>0.77</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>EPS Actual</td>
<td>0.61</td>
<td>0.73</td>
<td>0.83</td>
<td>0.84</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Revenue Estimate</td>
<td>74.44M</td>
<td>76.20M</td>
<td>74.53M</td>
<td>75.06M</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Revenue Actual</td>
<td>72.64M</td>
<td>75.66M</td>
<td>78.44M</td>
<td>79.76M</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>

To track all earnings releases for AMERISAFE <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AMSF/earnings">visit their earnings calendar here.</a> 
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

AMERISAFE: Q4 Earnings Insights

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMSF#NASDAQ">AMSF</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $0.74 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $0.71 by 4.23 percent. The company reported quarterly sales of $80.12 million which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $75.15 million by 6.61 percent. This is a 0.45 percent increase over sales of $79.76 million the same period last year.

AMERISAFE Q4 2023 Adj EPS $0.74 Beats $0.71 Estimate, Sales $80.12M Beat $75.15M Estimate

Press Releases

AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of AMERISAFE, Inc. and Its Operating Subsidiaries

AMERISAFE Announces 2024 Third Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call Schedule

AMERISAFE Announces 2024 Third Quarter Results

AMERISAFE Declares Special Dividend of $3.00 Per Share and Regular Quarterly Dividend

AMERISAFE Announces 2024 Fourth Quarter and Full Year Earnings Release and Conference Call Schedule

AMERISAFE Announces 2024 Fourth Quarter and Year-End Results

AMERISAFE Increases Dividend by 5.4%

AMERISAFE Announces Date of Annual Meeting of Shareholders and Record Date

AMERISAFE Announces 2025 First-Quarter Earnings Release and Conference Call Schedule

AMERISAFE Announces 2025 First Quarter Results

JMP Securities

Truist Securities

Janney Montgomery Scott

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BENZINGA NEL MONDO