Companies in the Financial sector have received a lot of coverage today as analysts weigh in on Amerisafe (AMSF), Chatham Lodging (CLDT) and Jernigan Capital (JCAP).
Amerisafe (AMSF)
B.Riley FBR analyst Randy Binner reiterated a Buy rating on Amerisafe yesterday and set a price target of $70. The company’s shares closed yesterday at $65.06, close to its 52-week high of $66.85.
Binner said:
“AMERISAFE (AMSF—Buy, $70 PT) reported 2Q19 operating EPS of $0.90 versus the B. Riley FBR and consensus estimate of $0.80. The beat versus our model mainly was the result of better-than-anticipated prior-year development, somewhat offset lower top-line production. Favorable reserve development of $11.3M contributed $0.47/share to EPS versus our estimate of $9.0M, or $0.38/share. Top-line was again negative for the quarter (-7.1% Y/Y) as the company missed our forecast of NPW and NPE due to lower voluntary business premiums and payroll audits. This will likely be a focus on the earning call tomorrow, August 1, as pricing competition seems to be on the rise given good loss results for the workers’ comp. space overall. The 2Q19 loss pick came in line with our estimate at 72.5%, higher than 2018 pick of 71.5%.”
According to TipRanks.com, Binner is a 5-star analyst with an average return of 13.4% and a 69.1% success rate. Binner covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as American Equity Investment Life, Colony Credit Real Estate Inc, and Health Insurance Innovations.
The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Amerisafe with a $70 average price target.
See today’s analyst top recommended stocks >>
Chatham Lodging (CLDT)
B.Riley FBR analyst Bryan Maher maintained a Hold rating on Chatham Lodging yesterday and set a price target of $20. The company’s shares closed yesterday at $17.86, close to its 52-week low of $17.29.
Maher noted:
“Chatham delivered 2Q19 results that were essentially in line with estimates when adjusted for the sale of two western Pennsylvania hotels that impacted results by $0.01. The REIT reported AFFO/share of $0.58, below ours and the consensus estimate of $0.59. Adjusted EBITDA grew roughly 2.8% Y/Y to $38.7M, exactly in line with our $38.7M estimate, although slightly below the consensus estimate of $38.8M, resulting in a hotel EBITDA margin of 41.7%, up 20 bps Y/Y , and within the company’s previously communicated expectations. The company also reported a 0.3% RevPAR decline, below its previously communicated expectations, as ADR decreased 0.7% offset by an occupancy increase of 40 bps.”
According to TipRanks.com, Maher is a 1-star analyst with an average return of -0.4% and a 51.1% success rate. Maher covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Industrial Logistics Properties Trust, Senior Housing Properties Trust, and Office Properties Income Trust.
The word on The Street in general, suggests a Hold analyst consensus rating for Chatham Lodging with a $20 average price target.
Jernigan Capital (JCAP)
In a report released today, Timothy P. Hayes from B.Riley FBR reiterated a Buy rating on Jernigan Capital, with a price target of $26. The company’s shares closed yesterday at $19.84.
Hayes said:
“We reiterate our Buy rating and $26 price target on shares of Jernigan Capital (JCAP), following strong 2Q19 results, reported 7/31 after market close, that handily beat B. Riley FBR and Street estimates and eclipsed the high end of management’s guidance range. In response to strong 1H19 earnings, JCAP raised its FY19 adjusted EPS guidance towards the high end of its range. While JCAP did not acquire any assets during the quarter, the company did execute on a developer buyout in early July; and we believe its revised FY19 guidance implies that buyout activity could accelerate in 2H19 as we near the end of leasing season and developers are more incentivized to sell assets.”
According to TipRanks.com, Hayes is a 4-star analyst with an average return of 7.2% and a 74.4% success rate. Hayes covers the Financial sector, focusing on stocks such as Fidus Investment Corporation, Ready Capital Corporation, and Saratoga Investment Corp.
The word on The Street in general, suggests a Moderate Buy analyst consensus rating for Jernigan Capital with a $26 average price target.
TipRanks has tracked 36,000 company insiders and found that a few of them are better than others when it comes to timing their transactions. See which 3 stocks are most likely to make moves following their insider activities.
