Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) Given Average Recommendation of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Shares of Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) have earned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the eleven brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation, six have issued a buy recommendation and two have given a strong buy recommendation to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokers that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $117.6667.

Several analysts have recently commented on AXS shares. The Goldman Sachs Group started coverage on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Tuesday, October 14th. They issued a “neutral” rating and a $104.00 target price for the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of Axis Capital from $119.00 to $121.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Monday, November 24th. Compass Point set a $121.00 target price on shares of Axis Capital in a research report on Monday, November 24th. UBS Group upped their target price on Axis Capital from $119.00 to $120.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Wednesday, October 8th. Finally, Mizuho initiated coverage on Axis Capital in a research report on Monday, December 15th. They set an “outperform” rating and a $133.00 price target for the company.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Axis Capital

Institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Woodline Partners LP raised its holdings in shares of Axis Capital by 68.7% in 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 in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp bought a new stake in shares of Axis Capital during the 2nd quarter valued at about $55,025,000. UBS AM A Distinct Business Unit of UBS Asset Management Americas LLC grew its holdings in shares of 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 worth $30,649,000 after purchasing an additional 20,159 shares in the last quarter. Kera Capital Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of Axis Capital in the second quarter worth approximately $321,000. Finally, Capital Fund Management S.A. bought a new position in shares of Axis Capital in the second quarter worth approximately $3,851,000. Institutional investors own 93.44% of the company’s stock.

Axis Capital Stock Up 0.0%

AXS stock opened at $109.00 on Monday. The firm has a market capitalization of $8.40 billion, a PE ratio of 9.01, a P/E/G ratio of 1.06 and a beta of 0.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27. Axis Capital has a twelve month low of $83.90 and a twelve month high of $110.34. The stock’s 50 day moving average is $100.04 and its 200-day moving average is $98.44.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 29th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.72 by $0.53. Axis Capital had a return on equity of 18.99% and a net margin of 16.08%.The business had revenue of $1.67 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.71 EPS. Axis Capital’s quarterly revenue was up 3.9% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that Axis Capital will post 11.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Axis Capital Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.6%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, December 31st. Axis Capital’s payout ratio is presently 14.55%.

Axis Capital Company Profile

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.