** KBW upgrades Insurer Assurant AIZ.N to "outperform" from "market perform"; raises PT to $230 from $212

** Brokerage sees growth in auto underwriting margins and Connected Living unit, which provides mobile device solutions

** Last month, AIZ reported a better-than-expected Q4 profit, driven by growth in its global housing insurance business

** "Housing (lender-placed) profit growth remains robust, benefiting from voluntary market pressures and expense leverage" - KBW

** Average rating is equivalent of "buy", with a median PT of $230 - LSEG

** As of last close, stock had fallen 6% compared with a 4% increase in the S&P 500 index .SPX YTD

(Reporting by Rashika Singh in Bengaluru)

((rashika.singh@thomsonreuters.com))