American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Receives Average Recommendation of “Hold” from Brokerages

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) has received an average recommendation of “Hold” from the five research firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $150.75.

Several research analysts have recently issued reports on AFG shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, June 11th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $140.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company increased their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $158.00 to $173.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In related news, 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 transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,135 shares in the company, valued at $1,825,765. This trade represents a 14.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. Also, insider David Lawrence Thompson, Jr. sold 11,370 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.05, for a total value of $1,535,518.50. Following the sale, the insider directly owned 584,098 shares in the company, valued at approximately $78,882,434.90. The trade was a 1.91% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Company insiders own 16.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the company. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group in the first quarter valued at $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 904.8% during the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 211 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the period. Clearstead Advisors LLC raised its position in American Financial Group by 87.7% in the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 259 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new stake in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 86.1% in the 4th quarter. CIBC Private Wealth Group LLC now owns 376 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $51,000 after acquiring an additional 174 shares during the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG opened at $137.88 on Thursday. The company has a current ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $135.58 and a 200-day simple moving average of $132.29. The company has a market cap of $11.46 billion, a PE ratio of 13.11 and a beta of 0.62. American Financial Group has a 12-month low of $122.11 and a 12-month high of $150.02.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its 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). The business had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.70 billion. American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.76% and a return on equity of 19.50%. The firm’s revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.81 earnings per share. On average, equities research analysts forecast that American Financial Group will post 11.37 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th will be paid a $0.88 dividend. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.6%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, July 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 33.46%.

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.