Principal Financial Group Inc. Increases Stake in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF)

Principal Financial Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) by 2.9% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 92,636 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,619 shares during the quarter. Principal Financial Group Inc. owned 0.49% of AMERISAFE worth $4,774,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AMSF. GAMMA Investing LLC raised its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 63.4% in the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,343 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $69,000 after purchasing an additional 521 shares in the last quarter. R Squared Ltd acquired a new stake in shares of AMERISAFE during the fourth quarter worth about $99,000. Virtu Financial LLC purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE in the third quarter valued at approximately $200,000. Values First Advisors Inc. grew its position in AMERISAFE by 8.2% during the 4th quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. now owns 5,350 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $276,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares during the period. Finally, BNP Paribas Financial Markets lifted its holdings in AMERISAFE by 6.9% in the third quarter. BNP Paribas Financial Markets now owns 5,882 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $284,000 after acquiring an additional 381 shares during the period. 97.41% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

AMERISAFE Stock Performance

AMSF stock opened at $52.16 on Tuesday. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a one year low of $41.97 and a one year high of $60.24. The firm’s fifty day moving average is $50.56 and its 200 day moving average is $51.76. The firm has a market cap of $993.65 million, a PE ratio of 16.30 and a beta of 0.35.

AMERISAFE (NASDAQ:AMSF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 26th. The insurance provider reported $0.67 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.60 by $0.07. AMERISAFE had a net margin of 19.49% and a return on equity of 16.50%. The business had revenue of $73.51 million for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $77.37 million. Research analysts predict that AMERISAFE, Inc. will post 2.45 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

AMERISAFE Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 21st. Stockholders of record on Friday, March 7th will be paid a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.99%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, March 7th. AMERISAFE’s dividend payout ratio is currently 53.98%.

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.