Lazard Asset Management LLC Purchases New Stake in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF)

Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 851 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $43,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AMSF. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE during the 4th quarter worth approximately $99,000. KLP Kapitalforvaltning AS bought a new position in AMERISAFE in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $180,000. Aquatic Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in AMERISAFE by 336.1% in the fourth quarter. Aquatic Capital Management LLC now owns 3,925 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $202,000 after acquiring an additional 3,025 shares during the last quarter. Versor Investments LP acquired a new stake in AMERISAFE during the 4th quarter worth $205,000. Finally, Corient Private Wealth LLC bought a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE during the 4th quarter valued at $207,000. 97.41% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

AMERISAFE Price Performance

Shares of AMSF stock opened at $46.39 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $883.73 million, a PE ratio of 14.50 and a beta of 0.41. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $49.00 and a 200-day moving average of $51.32. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a one year low of $41.97 and a one year high of $60.24.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, April 29th. The insurance provider reported $0.60 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.59 by $0.01. The firm had revenue of $83.78 million during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $76.66 million. AMERISAFE had a net margin of 19.49% and a return on equity of 16.50%. As a group, research analysts anticipate that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current year.

AMERISAFE Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 20th. Investors of record on Friday, June 13th will be given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.36%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, June 13th. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio is currently 62.90%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, JMP Securities restated a “market outperform” rating and issued a $65.00 price target on shares of AMERISAFE in a research report on Wednesday, April 30th.

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.