Axis Capital Holdings Limited (AXS) – What Are Researchers Thinking About This Stock?

Shares of Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) have been assigned a consensus recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen analysts that are currently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Four investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, eight have issued a buy recommendation and one has given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $119.08.

Several equities analysts have weighed in on AXS shares. Mizuho reduced their price objective on Axis Capital from $118.00 to $116.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Zacks Research raised shares of Axis Capital from a “strong sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday, October 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $131.00 to $125.00 and set an “outperform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 4th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $126.00 to $112.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets reissued a “market perform” rating on shares of Axis Capital in a research report on Wednesday, July 29th.

Axis Capital Stock Performance

NYSE:AXS opened at $104.13 on Friday. The company has a fifty day moving average of $98.42 and a 200-day moving average of $101.82. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 7.40, a P/E/G ratio of 3.45 and a beta of 0.45. The company has a quick ratio of 0.64, a current ratio of 0.64 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.26. Axis Capital has a twelve month low of $88.07 and a twelve month high of $119.99.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, July 29th. The insurance provider reported $2.84 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.25 by ($0.41). Axis Capital had a net margin of 16.23% and a return on equity of 17.00%. The company had revenue of $1.75 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.29 EPS. The firm’s revenue was up 7.4% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Axis Capital will post 12.44 EPS for the current year.

Axis Capital Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, October 15th. Investors of record on Wednesday, September 30th were issued a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, September 30th. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.7%. Axis Capital’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 12.50%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Axis Capital

Hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Assetmark Inc. raised its stake in shares of Axis Capital by 80.8% during the 1st quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 396 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $40,000 after purchasing an additional 177 shares during the period. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in Axis Capital during the 1st quarter worth about $43,000. MCF Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in Axis Capital during the 2nd quarter worth about $44,000. Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new position in Axis Capital in the 3rd quarter worth about $49,000. Finally, Global Assets Advisory LLC bought a new position in Axis Capital in the 1st quarter worth about $68,000. Institutional investors own 93.44% of the company’s stock.

Axis Capital Company Profile

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE: AXS) is a Bermuda-based specialty insurance and reinsurance company. Through its operating subsidiaries, the company provides coverage and risk-management solutions for businesses, institutions and other insurers facing complex or difficult-to-place risks.

AXIS offers a range of commercial property and casualty insurance products, including professional liability, cyber, marine, aviation, energy, environmental, political risk, credit and surety, and accident and health coverage.