Zacks Research Analysts Lower Earnings Estimates for AFG

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for American Financial Group in a note issued to investors on Sunday, March 1st. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will post earnings of $2.60 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.61. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group’s current full-year earnings is $10.50 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group’s Q4 2026 earnings at $3.37 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.69 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $4.11 EPS.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.47. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.64% and a net margin of 10.30%.The business had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.79 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $3.12 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year.

AFG has been the subject of a number of other reports. Wells Fargo & Company lowered their price objective on American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “hold” rating and issued a $142.00 price target on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Piper Sandler raised their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have given a Hold rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, American Financial Group presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $141.25.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG opened at $131.67 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.23 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The company has a market cap of $10.97 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.08 and a beta of 0.69. The stock’s 50-day moving average is $131.43 and its two-hundred day moving average is $135.47. American Financial Group has a 1-year low of $114.73 and a 1-year high of $150.02.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 16th were issued 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 news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total transaction of $222,343.10. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer owned 12,073 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,614,160.10. The trade was a 12.11% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 17.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Financial Group in the second quarter valued at $106,707,000. M&T Bank Corp lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 20,131.5% in the 4th quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 637,090 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $87,077,000 after purchasing an additional 633,941 shares during the last quarter. Vestor Capital LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 100,006.8% in the 4th quarter. Vestor Capital LLC now owns 600,641 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $82,096,000 after purchasing an additional 600,041 shares during the period. Victory Capital Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,963,942 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $431,906,000 after purchasing an additional 337,573 shares during the period. Finally, Adage Capital Partners GP L.L.C. purchased a new position in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $43,832,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.