Zacks Research Reduces Earnings Estimates for Axis Capital

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) – Equities researchers at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Axis Capital in a research report issued on Wednesday, December 24th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will post earnings of $2.93 per share 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.

Other analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings raised shares of Axis Capital from a “buy (b+)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Monday, December 22nd. The Goldman Sachs Group initiated coverage on Axis Capital in a research report on Tuesday, October 14th. They set a “neutral” rating and a $104.00 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on Axis Capital from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Monday, November 24th. Royal Bank Of Canada started coverage on Axis Capital in a report on Monday, November 24th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $125.00 price objective on the stock. Finally, Mizuho initiated coverage on Axis Capital in a research note on Monday, December 15th. They issued an “outperform” rating and a $133.00 target price for the company. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, six have given a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $117.67.

Axis Capital Trading Up 0.1%

Shares of Axis Capital stock opened at $109.14 on Monday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67. Axis Capital has a 1 year low of $83.90 and a 1 year high of $110.34. The firm has a market cap of $8.41 billion, a PE ratio of 9.02, a PEG ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $100.39 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $98.44.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 earnings per share 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 firm had revenue of $1.67 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.33 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.71 EPS. The company’s revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year.

Axis Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a $0.44 dividend. 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 payout ratio is presently 14.55%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Axis Capital

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Woodline Partners LP lifted its stake in Axis Capital by 68.7% during the 1st quarter. Woodline Partners LP now owns 370,054 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $37,094,000 after acquiring an additional 150,652 shares during the period. Alberta Investment Management Corp purchased a new position in shares of Axis Capital during the second quarter valued at approximately $55,025,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC lifted its position in Axis Capital by 7.1% during the first quarter. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC now owns 305,752 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $30,649,000 after purchasing an additional 20,159 shares during the period. Kera Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in Axis Capital during the second quarter valued at approximately $321,000. Finally, Dynamic Technology Lab Private Ltd purchased a new stake in Axis Capital in the first quarter worth approximately $620,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 93.44% of the company’s stock.

About Axis Capital

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.