American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Given Average Rating of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) have received an average rating of “Hold” from the five brokerages that are covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 12-month price objective among analysts that have covered the stock in the last year is $145.25.

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Financial Group from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, March 16th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $134.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company reduced their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 5th.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of AFG opened at $127.12 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $10.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.62 and a beta of 0.69. American Financial Group has a 1 year low of $114.73 and a 1 year high of $150.02. The stock’s 50-day moving average price is $129.27 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $134.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.79 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.64% and a net margin of 10.30%.American Financial Group’s revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.12 EPS. On average, equities analysts predict that American Financial Group will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Investors of record on Monday, February 16th were paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 34.96%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other American Financial Group news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total value of $222,343.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 12,073 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,614,160.10. The trade was a 12.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 17.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Financial Group

Hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 904.8% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 211 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the period. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth approximately $34,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC lifted its stake in American Financial Group by 87.7% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 259 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC lifted its stake in American Financial Group by 165.0% in the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 273 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after buying an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Company Profile

American Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: AFG) is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. Through its flagship subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company, the firm underwrites a broad range of specialty insurance products for commercial and industrial clients, including inland marine, excess and surplus lines, executive liability, and environmental liability coverage. In addition, American Financial Group offers supplemental accident and health insurance and assumes reinsurance risks from other insurers, helping to diversify its underwriting portfolio.

The company traces its roots to 1946, when it was founded by Carl Lindner, Sr.