Short Interest in Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) Expands By 26.4%

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) saw a large increase in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totaling 970,240 shares, an increase of 26.4% from the March 15th total of 767,379 shares. Currently, 1.3% of the company’s shares are sold short. Based on an average daily trading volume, of 496,533 shares, the short-interest ratio is currently 2.0 days.

Institutional Trading of Axis Capital

A number of institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AXS. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in Axis Capital in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $29,000. Activest Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of Axis Capital during the fourth quarter valued at $30,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Axis Capital in the 3rd quarter valued at $43,000. Fideuram Asset Management Ireland dac acquired a new position in shares of Axis Capital in the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Finally, Bartlett & CO. Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Axis Capital in the 4th quarter worth $51,000. 93.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Axis Capital Stock Up 1.5%

Shares of AXS stock traded up $1.51 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $102.04. 454,294 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 530,826. The stock has a market cap of $7.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 8.24, a P/E/G ratio of 2.05 and a beta of 0.63. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $101.92 and its two-hundred day moving average is $101.01. Axis Capital has a 52-week low of $88.07 and a 52-week high of $110.34. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24, a current ratio of 0.65 and a quick ratio of 0.65.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, January 28th. The insurance provider reported $3.25 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.97 by $0.28. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.33 billion. Axis Capital had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 18.72%. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 17.8% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $3.38 earnings per share. Equities analysts predict that Axis Capital will post 11.19 EPS for the current year.

Axis Capital Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st were given a dividend of $0.44 per share. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 1.7%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, March 31st. Axis Capital’s dividend payout ratio is presently 14.21%.

Key Headlines Impacting Axis Capital

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks Research raised multiple quarterly and full‑year EPS forecasts for AXS (small but consistent upward revisions across Q1–Q4 2026–27 and FY2026–FY2027), improving forward earnings visibility and supporting upside estimates. Will Axis Capital (AXS) Beat Estimates Again in Its Next Earnings Report?
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks research pieces highlight AXIS’s premium growth and disciplined underwriting — factors that support margin expansion and recurring earnings strength, reinforcing the rationale behind the estimate upgrades. Can AXS Sustain Its Growth on Premium Strength and Underwriting?
• Neutral Sentiment: Axis’s recent January quarter reported an earnings beat and revenue upside (strong premium/revenue growth year‑over‑year), which provides the track record backing current analyst optimism. This is background support rather than new news.
• Negative Sentiment: Bank of America trimmed its price target on AXS to $106, which reduces some analyst‑implied upside and could cap near‑term gains if other brokers follow. Bank of America Lowers Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) Price Target to $106.00

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Mizuho dropped their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $141.00 to $140.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday. Roth Mkm reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $120.00 target price on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Thursday, January 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $130.00 to $126.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a report on Tuesday, April 7th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “buy” rating and set a $122.00 target price on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Friday, January 30th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, January 30th. One equities research 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Axis Capital currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $122.80.

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.