Q1 EPS Estimates for Axis Capital Boosted by Zacks Research

Axis Capital Holdings Limited (NYSE:AXS) – Analysts at Zacks Research lifted their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Axis Capital in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, March 17th. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will earn $3.17 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $3.07. 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 Q2 2026 earnings at $3.18 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $3.36 EPS, Q4 2026 earnings at $3.47 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $13.19 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $3.47 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $3.64 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $3.43 EPS, FY2027 earnings at $13.94 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $15.03 EPS.

Axis Capital (NYSE:AXS) last released its 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. Axis Capital had a net margin of 15.37% and a return on equity of 18.72%. The firm had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.33 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the company earned $3.38 EPS. The business’s quarterly revenue was up 17.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

AXS has been the subject of several other research reports. Bank of America reduced their target price on shares of Axis Capital from $119.00 to $115.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, January 29th. The Goldman Sachs Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $110.00 price target on shares of Axis Capital in a research note on Wednesday, January 7th. UBS Group reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of Axis Capital in a report on Monday, February 2nd. Royal Bank Of Canada raised 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. Finally, Compass Point set a $121.00 price objective on Axis Capital in a report on Monday, November 24th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, seven have given a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and an average price target of $124.00.

Axis Capital Stock Performance

NYSE AXS opened at $99.66 on Thursday. The company’s fifty day moving average is $102.69 and its two-hundred day moving average is $100.42. Axis Capital has a 52-week low of $84.81 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. The firm has a market capitalization of $7.37 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 8.04, a P/E/G ratio of 1.97 and a beta of 0.61.

Axis Capital Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, April 15th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 31st will be paid a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, March 31st. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 1.8%. Axis Capital’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 14.21%.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Axis Capital

A number of institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of Axis Capital by 0.6% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 7,954,373 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $762,029,000 after buying an additional 43,901 shares in the last quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC grew its position in Axis Capital by 30.9% in the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 4,592,270 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $491,786,000 after acquiring an additional 1,083,579 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in Axis Capital by 1.9% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 3,382,665 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $362,263,000 after acquiring an additional 63,751 shares during the period. Altrinsic Global Advisors LLC raised its stake in Axis Capital by 47.7% during the second quarter. Altrinsic Global Advisors LLC now owns 1,817,204 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $188,662,000 after acquiring an additional 586,576 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp raised its stake in Axis Capital by 1.0% during the second quarter. State Street Corp now owns 1,631,198 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $170,069,000 after acquiring an additional 15,755 shares in the last quarter. 93.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Key Stories Impacting Axis Capital

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

• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its Q1 2027 EPS estimate for AXS to $3.40 from $3.35, a modest beat that suggests stronger-than-expected underlying underwriting/investment results for the coming quarter. Read More.
• Positive Sentiment: Across multiple notes issued March 17, Zacks lifted several other quarterly and annual forecasts (examples include Q1–Q4 2026 lifts, FY2026 to $13.19 from $12.94, FY2027 to $13.94 from $13.79 and FY2028 to $15.03 from $15.01). These upward tweaks point to improved earnings momentum over 2026–2028 and help explain investor buying interest. Read More.
• Neutral Sentiment: A Zacks comparison piece examines Axis Capital (AXS) versus peer W.R. Berkley (WRB) to evaluate relative value within P&C insurance — useful context for investors assessing whether AXS’s revised earnings trajectory is already priced in versus competitors. Read More.

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.