American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG Shares Sold by Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund

Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund lowered its stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 89.0% in the 1st quarter, Holdings Channel.com reports. The firm owned 2,458 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 19,800 shares during the period. Fjarde AP Fonden Fourth Swedish National Pension Fund’s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $314,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AFG. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 2.3% during the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,567,721 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $350,956,000 after purchasing an additional 57,246 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in American Financial Group by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,732,557 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $236,645,000 after purchasing an additional 29,731 shares in the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 12.3% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,266,001 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $173,045,000 after buying an additional 138,483 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 33.2% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,026,783 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $149,623,000 after buying an additional 255,693 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley raised its stake in American Financial Group by 4.3% during the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 894,998 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $122,329,000 after buying an additional 36,971 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other American Financial Group news, insider David Lawrence Thompson, Jr. sold 11,370 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.05, for a total value of $1,535,518.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 584,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $78,882,434.90. This represents a 1.91% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,247 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.00, for a total transaction of $312,333.00. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president owned 13,135 shares in the company, valued at $1,825,765. The trade was a 14.61% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. 16.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

AFG stock opened at $141.94 on Tuesday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $122.11 and a 1 year high of $150.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.79 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.49 and a beta of 0.62. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a current ratio of 0.48. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $134.14 and its two-hundred day moving average is $132.12.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.47 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.54 by ($0.07). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 19.50% and a net margin of 10.76%.The firm had revenue of $1.85 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.70 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.81 EPS. The firm’s revenue was down .1% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 11.37 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 15th. American Financial Group’s payout ratio is presently 33.46%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on AFG shares. Piper Sandler increased their target price on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of American Financial Group in a report on Thursday, June 11th. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price target on American Financial Group from $155.00 to $158.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on American Financial Group from $134.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, March 25th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $145.00.

About American Financial Group

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.