American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Sold by New York State Common Retirement Fund

New York State Common Retirement Fund lowered its holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 11.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 55,730 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 6,969 shares during the quarter. New York State Common Retirement Fund owned 0.07% of American Financial Group worth $6,626,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the business. 1900 Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $207,000. California Public Employees Retirement System lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 34.0% in the fourth quarter. California Public Employees Retirement System now owns 180,172 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $21,421,000 after acquiring an additional 45,752 shares during the period. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 7.0% in the fourth quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 4,574 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $544,000 after acquiring an additional 300 shares during the period. Scissortail Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $311,000. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $2,188,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Financial Group news, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 5,176 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.00, for a total transaction of $626,296.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 45,372 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $5,490,012. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In related news, Director Lehman John I. Von sold 1,773 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.48, for a total transaction of $222,476.04. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 12,343 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,548,799.64. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 5,176 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $121.00, for a total transaction of $626,296.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 45,372 shares in the company, valued at $5,490,012. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last three months, insiders have sold 14,843 shares of company stock worth $1,854,746. Insiders own 14.50% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Trading Down 0.2 %

Shares of AFG stock opened at $127.43 on Friday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $105.22 and a 1-year high of $137.71. The company has a market cap of $10.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $129.98 and a 200-day simple moving average of $121.09.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $2.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.70 by $0.06. American Financial Group had a net margin of 11.03% and a return on equity of 21.56%. The company had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.89 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.89 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 25th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th were issued a $0.71 dividend. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.23%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, April 12th. American Financial Group’s payout ratio is 27.18%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts recently issued reports on AFG shares. Citigroup boosted their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $139.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday, March 25th. Piper Sandler reaffirmed a “neutral” rating and issued a $129.00 price objective on shares of American Financial Group in a report on Monday, April 1st. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $133.50.

About American Financial Group

American Financial Group, Inc, an insurance holding company, provides specialty property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company offers property and transportation insurance products, such as physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products, and other commercial property and specialty transportation coverages; specialty casualty insurance, including primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and specialty coverage in targeted markets, as well as customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers' compensation insurance; and specialty financial insurance products comprising risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions, fidelity and surety products, and trade credit insurance.