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On Tuesday, Citi analysts announced an increased price target on Hiscox Ltd. (LON:HSX:LN) (OTC: HCXLF) shares, setting it at GBP13.30, up from the previous GBP12.24, while maintaining a Neutral rating on the stock. According to InvestingPro data, the stock has shown strong momentum with a 13.2% return in the past week, though it’s currently trading at $14.78, which suggests the stock may be approaching fair value territory. The company maintains a robust "GREAT" financial health score of 3.1 out of 5. The adjustment follows Hiscox’s recent core results, which were deemed encouraging by the analysts, as the shares showed positive movement from a relatively low starting point. This uptick occurred despite an anticipated rise in the tax rate that may pressure consensus expectations, along with wildfire losses that reached the higher end of projections.
The company’s decision to re-base its dividend and execute a share buyback that slightly exceeded expectations was well-received. InvestingPro analysis reveals that management has been aggressively buying back shares, and the company has maintained consistent dividend payments for five consecutive years, demonstrating strong commitment to shareholder returns. With a healthy current ratio of 8.3x and an attractive P/E ratio of 8.2x, Hiscox shows solid financial fundamentals. Although Hiscox has set a new growth target for Retail Insurance Written Premium (ICWP) growth at over 6%, which may seem modest, Citi analysts recognize a degree of prudence in this aim. The robust growth in the US Direct market contrasts with the continued headwinds in Partnerships. However, as US Broker sales begin to stabilize, there is an expectation that total US Retail will gain momentum moving into 2025, which should support growth in the UK and European markets as well.
The solvency position of Hiscox is reported to provide ample opportunity to capitalize on prospects in 2025. Following the full-year earnings report, Citi has updated its model for Hiscox, revising the 2025 earnings per share (EPS) forecast downwards due to the impact of $170 million in wildfire losses. For investors seeking deeper insights, InvestingPro offers an extensive analysis with 8 additional ProTips and a comprehensive Pro Research Report, providing valuable context about Hiscox’s market position among 1,400+ top stocks. The adjustments also include a 2% decrease in the 2026 EPS estimate and a 1% increase for 2027, reflecting other minor changes in their analysis.
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