Algert Global LLC Increases Stake in First American Financial Co. (NYSE:FAF)

Algert Global LLC raised its stake in shares of First American Financial Co. (NYSE:FAF - Free Report) by 6.4% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 120,790 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,297 shares during the period. Algert Global LLC owned 0.12% of First American Financial worth $7,542,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of FAF. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC lifted its stake in First American Financial by 5.2% in the 4th quarter. ArrowMark Colorado Holdings LLC now owns 691,868 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $43,200,000 after buying an additional 33,921 shares in the last quarter. Ariel Investments LLC lifted its position in shares of First American Financial by 9.9% in the fourth quarter. Ariel Investments LLC now owns 3,993,155 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $249,333,000 after acquiring an additional 359,777 shares in the last quarter. AXA S.A. acquired a new stake in shares of First American Financial in the fourth quarter worth approximately $5,003,000. AQR Capital Management LLC increased its position in shares of First American Financial by 6.6% during the fourth quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 444,234 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $27,671,000 after purchasing an additional 27,625 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp raised its stake in First American Financial by 5.5% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,030,622 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $64,352,000 after purchasing an additional 53,513 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 89.05% of the company's stock.

First American Financial Stock Down 1.3 %

Shares of First American Financial stock traded down $0.78 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $59.74. The stock had a trading volume of 631,558 shares, compared to its average volume of 658,647. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $62.21 and a two-hundred day moving average of $63.41. The firm has a market cap of $6.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 47.79 and a beta of 1.29. First American Financial Co. has a 12-month low of $51.85 and a 12-month high of $70.92.

First American Financial (NYSE:FAF - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, April 23rd. The insurance provider reported $0.84 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.65 by $0.19. First American Financial had a return on equity of 9.35% and a net margin of 2.14%. The company had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.53 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $0.45 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was up 11.1% compared to the same quarter last year. Sell-side analysts expect that First American Financial Co. will post 5.35 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have recently issued reports on FAF shares. StockNews.com lowered shares of First American Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Friday, May 2nd. Stephens increased their price objective on shares of First American Financial from $73.00 to $78.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Friday, February 14th. Barclays boosted their target price on First American Financial from $69.00 to $72.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Friday, April 25th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on First American Financial from $75.00 to $77.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, April 28th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of $75.00.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other First American Financial news, SVP Lisa W. Cornehl sold 3,057 shares of First American Financial stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, February 25th. The shares were sold at an average price of $65.49, for a total transaction of $200,202.93. Following the completion of the sale, the senior vice president now directly owns 23,825 shares in the company, valued at $1,560,299.25. This trade represents a 11.37 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Also, CFO Mark Edward Seaton sold 12,679 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $64.28, for a total transaction of $815,006.12. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now owns 195,812 shares in the company, valued at approximately $12,586,795.36. This represents a 6.08 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 127,707 shares of company stock valued at $8,136,565. 3.70% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

About First American Financial

First American Financial Corporation, through its subsidiaries, provides financial services. It operates through Title Insurance and Services, and Home Warranty segments. The Title Insurance and Services segment issues title insurance policies on residential and commercial property, as well as offers related products and services internationally.