Forum Financial Management LP Purchases New Shares in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Forum Financial Management LP purchased a new stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm purchased 2,261 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $310,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Norges Bank acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $122,419,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position in American Financial Group by 26.2% during the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 997,340 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $136,566,000 after acquiring an additional 207,285 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position in American Financial Group by 78.3% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 333,078 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $44,832,000 after acquiring an additional 146,237 shares during the period. Vanguard Group Inc. boosted its position in American Financial Group by 1.2% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,287,861 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,134,857,000 after acquiring an additional 99,560 shares during the period. Finally, Bridges Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in American Financial Group by 966.7% during the 4th quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. now owns 70,391 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $9,639,000 after acquiring an additional 63,792 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Corporate insiders own 17.40% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of AFG stock traded down $2.74 during trading on Friday, reaching $126.39. The company had a trading volume of 378,022 shares, compared to its average volume of 373,393. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $125.84 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $132.37. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.53. American Financial Group, Inc. has a one year low of $114.73 and a one year high of $150.19. The company has a market capitalization of $10.57 billion, a PE ratio of 11.96 and a beta of 0.59.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. Sell-side analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.53%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th.

American Financial Group Company Profile

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.