Franklin Resources Inc. Buys New Shares in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF)

Franklin Resources Inc. purchased a new stake in AMERISAFE, Inc. (NASDAQ:AMSF - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund purchased 6,959 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $359,000.

Several other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the business. Isthmus Partners LLC increased its position in shares of AMERISAFE by 0.5% in the 4th quarter. Isthmus Partners LLC now owns 63,926 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $3,295,000 after acquiring an additional 316 shares during the period. Values First Advisors Inc. increased its stake in shares of AMERISAFE by 8.2% in the fourth quarter. Values First Advisors Inc. now owns 5,350 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $276,000 after acquiring an additional 404 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its holdings in shares of AMERISAFE by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund now owns 10,904 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $562,000 after buying an additional 428 shares during the period. GAMMA Investing LLC grew its holdings in AMERISAFE by 63.4% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,343 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $69,000 after acquiring an additional 521 shares during the period. Finally, WINTON GROUP Ltd raised its position in AMERISAFE by 3.3% during the fourth quarter. WINTON GROUP Ltd now owns 21,859 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,127,000 after acquiring an additional 690 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 97.41% of the company's stock.

AMERISAFE Stock Performance

NASDAQ AMSF traded up $0.11 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $49.36. 8,618 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 87,407. The company has a market capitalization of $940.21 million, a P/E ratio of 15.42 and a beta of 0.34. The business's 50 day moving average is $50.49 and its 200-day moving average is $52.18. AMERISAFE, Inc. has a 1 year low of $41.97 and a 1 year high of $60.24.

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

AMERISAFE Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 21st. Shareholders of record on Friday, March 7th were given a $0.39 dividend. This represents a $1.56 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.16%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, March 7th. AMERISAFE's payout ratio is 53.98%.

About AMERISAFE

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.