Zacks Research Raises Earnings Estimates for Axis Capital

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research increased their Q1 2026 EPS estimates for Axis Capital in a research report issued on Wednesday, February 11th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will earn $3.06 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $2.93. The consensus estimate for Axis Capital’s current full-year earnings is $11.19 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for Axis Capital’s Q1 2027 earnings at $3.49 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.55 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.35 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $13.79 EPS.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, January 28th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.28. Axis Capital had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 18.90%. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.33 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $3.38 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 17.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

Several other analysts have also commented on the company. UBS Group reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Axis Capital from $124.00 to $121.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 30th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and issued a $122.00 price target on shares of Axis Capital in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their price target on Axis Capital from $121.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 6th. Finally, Mizuho set a $141.00 price objective on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have issued a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Axis Capital currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average target price of $124.00.

Axis Capital Price Performance

Shares of AXS opened at $101.08 on Friday. The company has a 50 day moving average of $104.09 and a two-hundred day moving average of $99.32. 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 $84.81 and a twelve month high of $110.34. The company has a market cap of $7.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.16, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.03 and a beta of 0.63.

Axis Capital Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were issued a $0.44 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, December 31st. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 1.7%. Axis Capital’s dividend payout ratio is currently 14.21%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Axis Capital

Institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Synergy Asset Management LLC grew its position in shares of Axis Capital by 63.2% in the third quarter. Synergy Asset Management LLC now owns 352,050 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $33,726,000 after purchasing an additional 136,313 shares during the period. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its stake in Axis Capital by 0.5% in the 3rd quarter. Johnson Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 1,222,932 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $117,157,000 after buying an additional 6,571 shares in the last quarter. Alberta Investment Management Corp acquired a new stake in Axis Capital in the 2nd quarter worth about $55,025,000. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its stake in Axis Capital by 30.3% during the 3rd quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 970,411 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $92,965,000 after buying an additional 225,569 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Capital Fund Management S.A. purchased a new stake in Axis Capital during the 2nd quarter worth approximately $3,851,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 93.44% of the company’s stock.

Axis Capital News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Axis Capital this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks lifted full-year and multi-year profit expectations — they increased FY2026 to $12.85, FY2027 to $13.79 and issued FY2028 at $15.01, implying stronger medium‑term earnings growth for Axis. MarketBeat AXS
• Positive Sentiment: Multiple quarterly upgrades: Zacks raised Q1 2026 to $3.06 (from $2.93), Q1 2027 to $3.49 (from $3.18), Q2 2026 to $3.09 and Q2 2027 to $3.39 — these indicate expectations for better near‑term underwriting/investment results. MarketBeat AXS
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks also made several smaller upward tweaks to Q3/Q4 2026 and Q3 2026 estimates (e.g., Q3 2026 to $3.29, Q4 2026 to $3.41) — collectively these are constructive but incremental. MarketBeat AXS
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut some 2027 quarterly forecasts: Q4 2027 was reduced sharply (from $3.85 to $3.35) and Q3 2027 trimmed slightly (3.60 to 3.55) — these pulls on near‑term 2027 visibility may be weighing on sentiment. MarketBeat AXS

About Axis Capital

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.