Short Interest in Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACGL) Expands By 31.3%

Arch Capital Group Ltd. (NASDAQ:ACGL) was the target of a significant increase in short interest in November. As of November 15th, there was short interest totalling 5,910,000 shares, an increase of 31.3% from the October 31st total of 4,500,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 1,850,000 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 3.2 days. Currently, 1.6% of the shares of the company are sold short.

Arch Capital Group Stock Performance

NASDAQ ACGL opened at $100.72 on Friday. Arch Capital Group has a 1-year low of $72.85 and a 1-year high of $116.47. The firm has a market cap of $37.89 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 6.76, a PEG ratio of 1.60 and a beta of 0.61. The company has a current ratio of 0.58, a quick ratio of 0.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.17. The company has a 50 day moving average of $105.65 and a 200-day moving average of $103.35.

Arch Capital Group (NASDAQ:ACGL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The insurance provider reported $1.99 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.94 by $0.05. The company had revenue of $4.72 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.05 billion. Arch Capital Group had a return on equity of 18.94% and a net margin of 33.86%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.31 EPS. On average, equities analysts forecast that Arch Capital Group will post 8.99 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Arch Capital Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, December 4th. Investors of record on Monday, November 18th will be issued a dividend of $5.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 18th.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on ACGL shares. Jefferies Financial Group raised their price objective on shares of Arch Capital Group from $114.00 to $134.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their price target on Arch Capital Group from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Arch Capital Group from $118.00 to $109.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, November 19th. TD Cowen upped their price target on shares of Arch Capital Group from $116.00 to $138.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Friday, September 20th. Finally, JMP Securities boosted their price objective on shares of Arch Capital Group from $115.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “market outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, October 15th. Six investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and eleven have issued a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $118.38.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Arch Capital Group

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the stock. Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new stake in shares of Arch Capital Group in the third quarter valued at approximately $25,000. UMB Bank n.a. acquired a new position in Arch Capital Group during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $30,000. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA lifted its stake in shares of Arch Capital Group by 50.7% in the 2nd quarter. Baldwin Brothers LLC MA now owns 309 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after acquiring an additional 104 shares during the last quarter. Rothschild Investment LLC bought a new stake in Arch Capital Group during the 2nd quarter worth $35,000. Finally, LRI Investments LLC acquired a new position in shares of Arch Capital Group during the first quarter worth $38,000. Institutional investors own 89.07% of the company’s stock.

Arch Capital Group Company Profile

Arch Capital Group Ltd., together with its subsidiaries, provides insurance, reinsurance, and mortgage insurance products worldwide. The company's Insurance segment offers primary and excess casualty coverages; loss sensitive primary casualty insurance programs; directors' and officers' liability, errors and omissions liability, employment practices and fiduciary liability, crime, professional indemnity, and other financial related coverages; medical professional and general liability insurance coverages; and workers' compensation and umbrella liability, as well as commercial automobile and inland marine products.