Exposure to catastrophe events puts insurer AmTrust at risk

Analysts have highlighted concerns over property and casualty insurer, AmTrust Financial, as it is exposed to both natural and man-made catastrophe events, of which there have been an unusual number of late, such as the hurricanes Harvey, Irma and Maria. Indeed, Fitch rating agency say that 2017 will be one of the costliest catastrophe years ever on record. Furthermore, AmTrust has been hit by rising expenses mainly because of higher losses and loss adjustment expenses, interest expenses, acquisition and other underwriting expenses, which will end up restricting its operating margin expansion, hampering results and limiting growth.

As a property and casualty (P&C) insurer, AmTrust Financial Services, Inc.AFSI is exposed to both natural and man-made catastrophe events. The company has been incurring inclement weather-related losses over a considerable period of time. In the first nine months of 2017 catastrophe loss amounted to $103.3 million, mainly stemming from the hurricanes Harvey, Irma, Maria and two major earthquakes in Mexico. Given the unpredictable nature of such calamities, the Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) P&C insurer might experience catastrophe loss in the near term as well.

It is important to note that being a P&C insurer, AmTrust Financial cannot avoid the aftermath of such catastrophe events, which in turn pose a threat to weigh on the company's underwriting profitability. Irrespective of catastrophe mitigation techniques deployed by the company, exposure to weather-oriented disasters inevitably makes its earnings volatile.

This apart, the company has been experiencing escalating expenses, primarily due to higher losses and loss adjustment expenses, interest expenses, acquisition and other underwriting expenses. This in turn will restrict the operating margin expansion, thereby hampering the company's overall results and limiting its growth.

Moreover, high level of debt has led to an increase in interest burden, which in turn has weighed on the margin expansion.

Southbound Estimates : The stock has seen the Zacks Consensus Estimate for current-year earnings being revised 32.3% downward over the last 60 days. While the same for 2018 has declined nearly 21.5% over the same time frame. This is reflected in the company's Zacks Rank as well.

An Underperformer : Shares of AmTrust Financial have plunged 66.2% year to date, significantly underperforming the industry 's 11.7% rally. We also apprehend substantial catastrophe loss as well as rising expenses to throw tough at the company's overall functioning.

Weak Surprise History : AmTrust Financial has missed the Zacks Consensus Estimate in the last three quarters with an average negative surprise of 0.72%.

Style Score : AmTrust Financial has a Growth Score of F. The Growth Style Score analyzes the growth prospects for a company, and also evaluates its corporate financial statements. Therefore, the P&C insurer's Growth Score does not raise too much optimism amongst the investors.

Stocks to Consider

Some better-ranked stocks from the insurance industry include Radian Group Inc. RDN , Prudential Financial, Inc. PRU and NMI Holdings, Inc. NMIH , each holding a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today's Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here .

Radian Group offers mortgage and real estate products plus services in the United States. The company delivered positive surprises in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 4.52%.

Prudential Financial provides insurance, investment management, and other financial products and services in the United States and internationally. The company delivered positive surprises in three of the last four quarters with an average beat of 0.16%.

NMI Holdings provides private mortgage guaranty insurance services in the United States. The company delivered positive surprises in one of the last four quarters with an average beat of 11.72%.

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The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.

The views and opinions expressed herein are the views and opinions of the author and do not necessarily reflect those of Nasdaq, Inc.