Investors might want to bet on Amerisafe (AMSF) , as earnings estimates for this company have been showing solid improvement lately. The stock has already gained solid short-term price momentum, and this trend might continue with its still improving earnings outlook.The upward trend in estimate revisions for this insurance provider reflects growing optimism of analysts on its earnings prospects, which should get reflected in its stock price. After all, empirical research shows a strong correlation between t ...

Here are three stocks with buy rank and strong momentum characteristics for investors to consider today, February 29:Ultrapar Participações S.A. (UGP) : This energy and infrastructure company has a Zacks Rank #1 and witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 31.8% over the last 60 days.Ultrapar Participações' shares gained 21.8% over the last three months compared with the S&P 500’s advance of 10.2%. The company possesses a Momentum Score of A.Employers Holdings, Inc. (E ...

Here are five stocks added to the Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) List today:Ultrapar Participações S.A. (UGP) : This energy and infrastructure company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 31.8% over the last 60 days.Kiniksa Pharmaceuticals, Ltd. (KNSA) : This biopharmaceutical company has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 20.5% over the last 60 days.Employers Holdings, Inc. (EIG) : This property and casualty insurance company has ...

Here are two stocks with buy rank and strong income characteristics for investors to consider today, February 29:AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) : This insurance holding company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing 3.5% the last 60 days.This Zacks Rank #1 company has a dividend yield of 2.6%, compared with the industry average of 2.5%.Honda Motor Co., Ltd. (HMC) : This automobile company has witnessed the Zacks Consensus Estimate for its current year earnings increasing ...

Amerisafe (AMSF) could be a solid addition to your portfolio given its recent upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). An upward trend in earnings estimates -- one of the most powerful forces impacting stock prices -- has triggered this rating change.The Zacks rating relies solely on a company's changing earnings picture. It tracks EPS estimates for the current and following years from the sell-side analysts covering the stock through a consensus measure -- the Zacks Consensus Estimate.Since a changing earnings pi ...

AMERISAFE, Inc. (AMSF) reported fourth-quarter 2023 adjusted earnings per share (EPS) of 74 cents, which outpaced the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 12.1%. However, the bottom line fell 11.9% year over year.Operating revenues of $74 million remained flat year over year. The top line fell short of the consensus mark by 1.7%.The quarterly results benefited on the back of higher gross premiums written, an increase in voluntary premiums due to expanding policy count coupled with favorable payroll audits and relate ...

AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF) Q4 2023 Earnings Conference Call February 22, 2024 10:30 AM ET Company Participants Kathryn Shirley – Chief Administrative Officer Janelle Frost – President and Chief Executive Officer Andy Omiridis – Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer Conference Call Participants Matt Carletti – JMP Securities Mark Hughes – Truist Bob Farnam – Janney Operator Good day, and welcome to the AMERISAFE 2023 Fourth Quarter Earnings Conference Call. Today's conference is being recor ...

Business Performance - The company had a policy renewal rate of 94.1% for voluntary business in 2023, up from 93.8% in 2022 and 93.5% in 2021[24]. - As of December 31, 2023, the company had over 8,500 voluntary business policyholders with an average annual workers' compensation policy written premium of $28,658[24]. - The company's expense ratio was 29.3% in 2023, indicating efficient operations compared to competitors[15]. - Gross premiums written in 2023 totaled $285,355 thousand, an increase from $276,110 thousand in 2022, representing a growth of 6.5%[30]. - The voluntary business segment accounted for 97.2% of total gross premiums written in 2023, up from 96.4% in 2022[30]. - The construction industry generated $135,758 thousand in gross premiums in 2023, making up 47.6% of voluntary business, an increase from 44.8% in 2022[30]. - Florida contributed 13.4% of gross premiums in 2023, the highest among states, compared to 11.8% in 2022[33]. - Total voluntary business gross premiums written in 2023 reached $277.3 million, a 4.1% increase from $266.2 million in 2022[30]. Underwriting and Claims Management - The company utilizes proactive safety reviews, with 93.4% of new voluntary business policyholders having pre-quotation safety inspections in 2023[13]. - Open indemnity claims per field case manager averaged 44 claims as of December 31, 2023, which is significantly lower than the industry average[14]. - The company aims to increase market penetration in existing states, leveraging specialized underwriting expertise and safety services[17]. - The company employs a proactive approach to underwriting and claims management, with an average of 44 open indemnity claims per field case manager as of December 31, 2023[14]. - The underwriting strategy focuses on hazardous industries, with a selective approach to policyholder evaluation based on industry trends and statistical data[36]. Reserves and Losses - As of December 31, 2023, the total net reserve for loss and loss adjustment expenses was estimated at $554.2 million, which includes $13.0 million for mandatory pooling arrangements[61]. - The gross case loss and DCC reserves decreased to $535.1 million in 2023 from $559.6 million in 2022, reflecting a decline of approximately 4.0%[63]. - The gross unpaid loss, DCC, and AO reserves totaled $673.9 million as of December 31, 2023, down from $696.0 million in 2022, indicating a reduction of approximately 3.2%[63]. - The company established reserves for incurred but not reported (IBNR) losses amounting to $119.8 million as of December 31, 2023, slightly up from $118.9 million in 2022[63]. - The total incurred losses for the current accident year in 2023 were reported at $189.7 million, compared to $192.9 million in 2022[68]. - The average case incurred amount is subject to significant variability due to factors such as medical treatment uncertainties and judicial determinations[55]. - Sensitivity analysis indicated that a 30% increase in paid loss development factors would result in a net loss and DCC amount change of $31.1 million, representing a 5.9% increase in reserves[64]. - The company utilized six actuarial methods to estimate reserves, including the Paid Development Method and Incurred Development Method, to ensure accuracy in reserve estimation[59]. Investment Portfolio - The carrying value of the investment portfolio, including cash and cash equivalents, was $896.5 million, with a fair value of $886.0 million as of December 31, 2023[78]. - The company’s investment policy aims to preserve capital and surplus while maximizing after-tax income and risk-adjusted total return[78]. - The majority of fixed maturity securities are classified as "held-to-maturity," with changes in non-credit related unrecognized gains and losses not reflected until realized[80]. - The effective interest rate for the investment portfolio categories as of December 31, 2023, is detailed in the management's discussion and analysis section[81]. - The pre-tax investment yield for the twelve months ended December 31, 2023, was 3.4% per annum[82]. - The average composite rating of the investment portfolio, excluding equity holdings, was "AA-" as of December 31, 2023[87]. - The credit quality of the investment portfolio showed that 12.5% was rated "AAA" and 56.4% was rated "AA" as of December 31, 2023[87]. Employee and Corporate Governance - As of December 31, 2023, the company had 350 full-time employees, with an average employee tenure of 10.8 years and 62% of the workforce being female[110]. - The company invests in the professional development of its employees, including insurance certification programs and leadership training[111]. - The company is committed to employee health and wellness, offering various benefits such as health care, 401k retirement programs, and wellness initiatives[107]. - The company has launched a new committee to focus on charitable giving and corporate volunteering efforts, comprising employees from various levels and departments[109]. - The company has a competitive compensation and benefits program aligned with shareholders' interests, including incentive compensation programs for underwriting and field safety professionals[106]. Regulatory Compliance and Market Position - The company is licensed in 27 states, with 51.0% of voluntary in-force premiums generated in six states where it derived 5.0% or more of gross premiums written in 2023[18]. - The examinations by the Nebraska and Texas insurance departments for AIIC and SOCI were completed in 2023 with no material findings[125]. - As of December 31, 2023, AIIC, SOCI, and AIICTX exceeded the minimum risk-based capital requirements, with Nebraska requiring a minimum capital and surplus of $2.0 million and Texas requiring $5.0 million[139]. - The 2023 IRIS results for AIIC, SOCI, and AIICTX were within expected values for all 13 industry ratios, indicating stable financial conditions[140]. - The company estimates that more than 300 insurance companies participate in the workers' compensation market, with its competitive advantages including underwriting expertise and lower premium rates compared to state insurance pools[104][105].

For the quarter ended December 2023, Amerisafe (AMSF) reported revenue of $73.88 million, up 0.1% over the same period last year. EPS came in at $0.74, compared to $0.84 in the year-ago quarter.The reported revenue represents a surprise of -1.69% over the Zacks Consensus Estimate of $75.15 million. With the consensus EPS estimate being $0.66, the EPS surprise was +12.12%.While investors scrutinize revenue and earnings changes year-over-year and how they compare with Wall Street expectations to determine the ...

DERIDDER, La.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AMERISAFE, Inc. (Nasdaq: AMSF), a specialty provider of workers’ compensation insurance focused on high-hazard industries, today announced that its Board of Directors has increased the quarterly dividend by 8.8%, from $0.34 to $0.37 per share. The Board of Directors declared a quarterly cash dividend of $0.37 per share, payable on March 22, 2024 to shareholders of record as of March 8, 2024. The Company began paying dividends in 2013. Since that time, the Company has declar ...