Short Interest in Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) Increases By 38.4%

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) was the recipient of a significant increase in short interest in January. As of January 30th, there was short interest totaling 848,428 shares, an increase of 38.4% from the January 15th total of 613,193 shares. Currently, 1.1% of the company’s stock are short sold. Based on an average trading volume of 797,248 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Based on an average trading volume of 797,248 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 1.1 days. Currently, 1.1% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Axis Capital Stock Performance

NYSE AXS traded up $0.64 during trading hours on Friday, hitting $101.75. The company had a trading volume of 696,223 shares, compared to its average volume of 701,588. The business has a 50 day moving average of $104.17 and a 200-day moving average of $99.37. The company has a market cap of $7.84 billion, a PE ratio of 8.21, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.04 and a beta of 0.63. Axis Capital has a 1-year low of $84.81 and a 1-year high of $110.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.27, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.97 by $0.28. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.33 billion. Axis Capital had a return on equity of 18.90% and a net margin of 15.37%.The business’s revenue was up 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm earned $3.38 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts expect that Axis Capital will post 11.19 EPS for the current year.

Axis Capital Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, January 15th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, December 31st were given a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date 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 (DPR) is 14.21%.

Institutional Trading of Axis Capital

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

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several research analysts have commented on the stock. The Goldman Sachs Group reissued a “neutral” rating and issued a $110.00 price objective on shares of Axis Capital in a research report on Wednesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $124.00 to $121.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research note on Friday, January 30th. Mizuho set a $141.00 target price on Axis Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Roth Mkm restated a “buy” rating and issued a $120.00 price target on shares of Axis Capital in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price objective on Axis Capital from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, January 30th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, eight have assigned a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of $124.00.

Axis Capital News Roundup

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised multiple near‑term and full‑year forecasts: Q1 2026 to $3.06 (from $2.93), Q1 2027 to $3.49 (from $3.18), Q2 2026 to $3.09, Q3 2026 to $3.29, Q4 2026 to $3.41, FY2026 to $12.85 (from $12.65), FY2027 to $13.79 (from $13.70) and FY2028 to $15.01. These upward revisions suggest Zacks sees stronger underwriting/investment momentum and support a more constructive outlook for AXS. Zacks Research Estimate Changes
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published a broad refresh of quarterly models across 2026–2028 (a mixture of small tweaks and new longer‑range forecasts). Some moves appear to be model updates rather than a clear directional signal — watch for company commentary or actual quarterly results to confirm the trend. Zacks Research Estimate Changes
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut longer‑dated quarterly estimates: Q4 2027 was lowered materially to $3.35 (from $3.85) and Q3 2027 trimmed to $3.55 (from $3.60). The Q4 2027 reduction is the clearest headwind in this package and could weigh on near‑term investor sentiment until company results or reserve commentary clarify drivers. Zacks Research Estimate Changes

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.