Zacks Research Forecasts Weaker Earnings for Axis Capital

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Axis Capital in a research report issued to clients and investors on Wednesday, December 24th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the insurance provider will post earnings per share of $2.93 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.94. The consensus estimate for Axis Capital’s current full-year earnings is $11.19 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Axis Capital’s Q3 2026 earnings at $3.27 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $3.18 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.60 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $13.70 EPS.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.72 by $0.53. Axis Capital had a return on equity of 18.99% and a net margin of 16.08%.The business had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company posted $2.71 EPS. The business’s revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. UBS Group upped their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Compass Point set a $121.00 price objective on Axis Capital in a research note on Monday, November 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada began coverage on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Monday, November 24th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $125.00 target price for the company. Wells Fargo & Company set a $123.00 target price on Axis Capital and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of Axis Capital from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have assigned a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $117.67.

Axis Capital Stock Performance

Shares of AXS opened at $109.00 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $100.04 and its 200 day moving average price is $98.41. Axis Capital has a 52 week low of $83.90 and a 52 week high of $110.34. The company has a market capitalization of $8.40 billion, a PE ratio of 9.01, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Axis Capital

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Smithfield Trust Co increased its stake in Axis Capital by 94.0% in the second quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 293 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $31,000 after purchasing an additional 142 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in Axis Capital in the 3rd quarter valued at about $29,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in Axis Capital in the 2nd quarter worth about $37,000. Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC bought a new position in Axis Capital in the 2nd quarter worth about $41,000. Finally, Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of Axis Capital during the third quarter worth approximately $43,000. Institutional investors own 93.44% of the company’s stock.

Axis Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be issued a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, December 31st. Axis Capital’s dividend payout ratio is 14.55%.

Axis Capital Company Profile

AXIS Capital Holdings Limited, through its subsidiaries, provides various specialty insurance and reinsurance products in Bermuda, the United States, and internationally. It operates through two segments, Insurance and Reinsurance. The Insurance segment offers professional insurance products that cover directors' and officers' liability, errors and omissions, employment practices, fiduciary, crime, professional indemnity, medical malpractice, and other financial insurance related coverages for commercial enterprises, financial institutions, not-for-profit organizations, and other professional service providers; and property insurance products for commercial buildings, residential premises, construction projects, property in transit, onshore renewable energy installations, and physical damage and business interruption following an act of terrorism.