Raymond James & Associates Lowers Stock Holdings in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF)

Raymond James & Associates cut its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) by 2.9% during the fourth quarter, Holdings Channel reports. The firm owned 44,948 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 1,339 shares during the quarter. Raymond James & Associates’ holdings in AMERISAFE were worth $2,103,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Diversified Trust Co increased its stake in AMERISAFE by 35.6% during the 4th quarter. Diversified Trust Co now owns 5,569 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $261,000 after buying an additional 1,463 shares during the period. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC increased its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 4.0% during the fourth quarter. Exchange Traded Concepts LLC now owns 33,744 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,579,000 after acquiring an additional 1,303 shares during the period. Gladius Capital Management LP acquired a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE in the third quarter valued at $34,000. American Century Companies Inc. boosted its holdings in AMERISAFE by 8.9% in the third quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 47,342 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $2,370,000 after purchasing an additional 3,852 shares during the period. Finally, Deutsche Bank AG grew its stake in AMERISAFE by 20.8% during the 3rd quarter. Deutsche Bank AG now owns 10,886 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $545,000 after purchasing an additional 1,874 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 97.41% of the company’s stock.

AMERISAFE Price Performance

NASDAQ:AMSF opened at $48.85 on Wednesday. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a 12 month low of $45.34 and a 12 month high of $57.06. The firm has a market capitalization of $934.99 million, a PE ratio of 15.12 and a beta of 0.32. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $50.20 and its 200 day moving average price is $49.59.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last released its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 21st. The insurance provider reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.08. AMERISAFE had a return on equity of 17.19% and a net margin of 20.24%. The business had revenue of $73.88 million during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $75.15 million. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.47 EPS for the current year.

AMERISAFE Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 8th were issued a dividend of $0.37 per share. The ex-dividend date was Thursday, March 7th. This represents a $1.48 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.03%. This is a boost from AMERISAFE’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 45.82%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AMSF shares. JMP Securities reaffirmed a “market outperform” rating and issued a $65.00 price target on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Monday. TheStreet raised shares of AMERISAFE from a “c+” rating to a “b-” rating in a report on Monday, March 4th.

AMERISAFE 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.