Values First Advisors Inc. Raises Stock Position in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF)

Values First Advisors Inc. grew its holdings in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) by 16.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 4,782 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 689 shares during the period. Values First Advisors Inc.’s holdings in AMERISAFE were worth $224,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AMSF. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE during the 3rd quarter worth $32,000. Gladius Capital Management LP purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Qube Research & Technologies Ltd purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE during the 3rd quarter worth $41,000. Finally, Point72 Middle East FZE purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE during the 4th quarter worth $48,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.41% of the company’s stock.

AMERISAFE Stock Up 1.0 %

Shares of AMSF traded up $0.48 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $50.17. The company had a trading volume of 194,640 shares, compared to its average volume of 135,571. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $50.36 and its 200 day moving average price is $49.86. The stock has a market cap of $960.25 million, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.53 and a beta of 0.32. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a 52 week low of $45.34 and a 52 week high of $57.06.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 21st. The insurance provider reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.66 by $0.08. AMERISAFE had a net margin of 20.24% and a return on equity of 17.19%. The business had revenue of $73.88 million during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $75.15 million. Equities analysts anticipate that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.47 EPS for the current fiscal year.

AMERISAFE Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 22nd. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 8th were issued a $0.37 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Thursday, March 7th. This is a positive change from AMERISAFE’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.34. This represents a $1.48 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.95%. AMERISAFE’s payout ratio is 45.82%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, TheStreet raised shares of AMERISAFE from a “c+” rating to a “b-” rating in a research 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.