UBS cuts James River Group shares target, cites reinsurance deal impact

Published 11/07/2024, 13:34
UBS cuts James River Group shares target, cites reinsurance deal impact

On Thursday, UBS revised its price target for James River Group Holdings (NASDAQ:JRVR) shares, reducing it to $13 from the previous $15, while continuing to endorse the stock with a Buy rating. The adjustment follows the insurance firm's recent reinsurance agreement with State National Insurance Company (SNIC), which was finalized on July 2, 2024.

The reinsurance deal will result in a significant change to James River's financials, including a $310 million reduction in cash and a corresponding reinsurance recoverable entry.

Additionally, the company is set to report a $52.2 million decrease in pretax income for the third quarter of 2024 due to excess consideration paid over the reserves ceded as part of the agreement. This charge is currently expected to be treated as non-operating, and thus is not included in the 2024 earnings per share (EPS) estimate.

In light of these developments, UBS has updated its EPS forecasts for James River for fiscal years 2024 and 2025. The new projections are now set at $1.51 and $1.73 respectively, down from the previous estimates of $1.65 and $2.00. The revision reflects the anticipated impact of a smaller investment portfolio and diminished investment income resulting from the reinsurance agreement.

Despite the lowered EPS estimates and price target, UBS maintains a positive outlook on James River's stock. This stance comes as the company's board of directors continues to evaluate strategic alternatives, which may influence the company's future direction and financial performance.

In other recent news, James River Group Holdings Ltd . has reported promising first-quarter earnings for 2024, with a net income from continuing operations at $0.53 per share and an adjusted net operating income of $0.39 per share.

The company's combined ratio was reported at 95.3%, and the adjusted operating return on tangible common equity was 17.4%. A significant strategic development was the sale of JRG Re, which aimed at streamlining operations.

In the same vein, the company announced an expansion of its board with the appointment of Christine LaSala, an industry veteran with over 45 years of experience. This appointment increased the board's size from seven to eight directors.

In terms of analyst notes, Compass Point raised the price target for James River Group Holdings to $13.00, up from the previous target of $12.00, while maintaining a Buy rating on the stock.

This adjustment was influenced by significant events within the company, including two major rounds of adverse development since 2021 and the sale of its Casualty Re business.

InvestingPro Insights

Following UBS's revised price target for James River Group Holdings, current metrics from InvestingPro provide a broader financial perspective on the company. James River boasts a strong free cash flow yield, as highlighted by one of the InvestingPro Tips, indicating its ability to generate cash and potentially return value to shareholders. Additionally, the company is trading at an attractive earnings multiple with a P/E ratio (Adjusted) for the last twelve months as of Q1 2024 at 4.5, suggesting that the stock may be undervalued compared to earnings.

InvestingPro Data also reveals a robust revenue growth of 25.78% in the last twelve months as of Q1 2024, which could be a signal of underlying business strength despite recent financial adjustments. Moreover, the company's commitment to shareholder returns is evident with a consistent dividend payout for the last decade, and a current dividend yield of 2.54%.

For investors seeking more comprehensive analysis, InvestingPro offers additional tips on James River Group Holdings, including insights on its liquidity position and long-term price trends. To explore these further, consider using the coupon code PRONEWS24 to get up to 10% off a yearly Pro and a yearly or biyearly Pro+ subscription, unlocking a total of 9 additional InvestingPro Tips for a deeper dive into the company's financial health and future prospects.

This article was generated with the support of AI and reviewed by an editor. For more information see our T&C.

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