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Shaunty Leslie, the General Counsel and Secretary of Skyward Specialty Insurance Group, Inc. (NASDAQ:SKWD), recently executed a series of stock transactions involving the company’s common stock. According to a recent filing, Leslie sold a total of 2,240 shares, resulting in proceeds of approximately $112,537. The shares were sold at a weighted average price of $50.2399 per share, notably close to the stock’s 52-week high of $55.62, though the stock has recently experienced an 11% decline over the past week.
In addition to these sales, Leslie acquired a total of 7,937 shares through the exercise of stock options and restricted stock units (RSUs) at no cost. These transactions included the acquisition of 2,937 shares from Performance Stock Units (PSUs) and 5,000 shares from RSUs, which were part of previous awards granted to Leslie. The transactions come as Skyward Specialty maintains a strong market position with a $1.93 billion market capitalization.
Following these transactions, Leslie’s total direct ownership of Skyward Specialty’s common stock stands at 26,104 shares. The sales were primarily conducted to cover taxes and fees associated with the vesting and settlement of RSUs and PSUs. According to InvestingPro analysis, Skyward Specialty maintains excellent financial health with a "GREAT" overall score, suggesting strong fundamentals despite recent stock price volatility. For deeper insights into SKWD’s valuation and growth prospects, investors can access comprehensive analysis through InvestingPro’s detailed research reports.
In other recent news, Skyward Specialty Insurance Group reported fourth-quarter 2024 earnings that exceeded expectations, with an earnings per share (EPS) of $0.80, surpassing the forecasted $0.65. The company’s revenue also outpaced projections, reaching $304.4 million compared to the anticipated $265.04 million. Following these results, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods (KBW) raised Skyward Specialty’s price target to $62.00, citing the company’s solid performance and increased EPS estimates for 2025 and 2026. Meanwhile, Jefferies also raised its price target to $62.00, maintaining a Buy rating, and noted that the company’s quarterly performance aligned with prior guidance.
However, Wolfe Research downgraded Skyward Specialty’s stock from Outperform to Peer Perform due to its assessment of the company’s trading multiples and risk-return profile. Wolfe Research removed its price target but set a fair value range for the year-end 2025 at $50 to $59. Despite the downgrade, Skyward Specialty’s strong gross written premium and investment income growth are anticipated to drive EPS expansion in the coming years. The company’s management expects to complete underwriting actions in California by the end of the first quarter of 2025, which is seen as a significant development for stabilizing operations. These recent developments highlight the mixed analyst perspectives on Skyward Specialty’s financial trajectory and market position.
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