Zacks Research Predicts Weaker Earnings for Axis Capital

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) – Research analysts at Zacks Research decreased their Q1 2027 EPS estimates for shares of Axis Capital in a research note issued on Tuesday, February 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will post earnings of $3.35 per share for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $3.49. 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 2027 earnings at $3.61 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $3.41 EPS.

Several other equities research analysts have also recently issued reports on AXS. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price objective on shares of Axis Capital from $124.00 to $121.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price objective on shares of Axis Capital from $121.00 to $130.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Mizuho set a $141.00 target price on Axis Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Finally, Bank of America dropped their price target on Axis Capital from $119.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $124.00.

Axis Capital Stock Up 2.3%

Shares of AXS opened at $104.96 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $104.40 and its 200 day moving average is $99.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.67, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Axis Capital has a 12-month low of $84.81 and a 12-month high of $110.34. The company has a market capitalization of $8.09 billion, a PE ratio of 8.47, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.05 and a beta of 0.63.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Axis Capital had a return on equity of 18.90% and a net margin of 15.37%.Axis Capital’s revenue for the quarter was up 17.8% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $3.38 EPS.

Axis Capital Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Axis Capital’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.21%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Axis Capital

Large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new position in shares of Axis Capital in the 4th quarter worth approximately $30,000. Smithfield Trust Co boosted its stake in Axis Capital by 94.0% during the second quarter. Smithfield Trust Co now owns 293 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 142 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new position in Axis Capital during the third quarter worth $29,000. AlphaCore Capital LLC bought a new position in Axis Capital during the second quarter valued at $37,000. Finally, Elevation Point Wealth Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Axis Capital in the second quarter valued at $41,000. 93.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Key Stories Impacting Axis Capital

Here are the key news stories impacting Axis Capital this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised FY2026 guidance to $12.94 (from $12.85) and nudged up several 2026 quarterly estimates — modestly higher earnings visibility for the year supports a more constructive outlook. MarketBeat AXS
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks increased 2027 mid‑year/late‑year estimates: Q2 2027 to $3.43 (from $3.39), Q3 2027 to $3.61 (from $3.55) and Q4 2027 to $3.41 (from $3.35) — indicating stronger expected earnings later in the year. MarketBeat AXS
• Positive Sentiment: These upward revisions follow Axis’s Jan. 28 quarterly beat (EPS $3.25 vs. est. $2.97; revenue well above estimates), reinforcing analyst confidence in the company’s underwriting or investment performance. MarketBeat AXS
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut Q1 2027 EPS to $3.35 from $3.49 — a notable near‑term downgrade that could pressure the stock if the company signals softness or seasonality for the next quarter. MarketBeat AXS

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.