Tower Research Capital LLC TRC Purchases 5,139 Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Tower Research Capital LLC TRC grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 127.3% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 9,175 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 5,139 shares during the period. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC's holdings in American Financial Group were worth $1,256,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 1.4% during the 4th quarter. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. now owns 5,798 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $794,000 after purchasing an additional 81 shares during the period. Horan Securities Inc. raised its position in American Financial Group by 3.2% in the fourth quarter. Horan Securities Inc. now owns 2,595 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $355,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares in the last quarter. Shoker Investment Counsel Inc. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 3.3% in the 4th quarter. Shoker Investment Counsel Inc. now owns 2,648 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $363,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 4.6% during the 4th quarter. Tokio Marine Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 2,226 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 97 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 2.5% in the 4th quarter. Legacy Financial Advisors Inc. now owns 4,127 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $565,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition 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.

American Financial Group Stock Down 1.5 %

Shares of AFG traded down $1.94 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $126.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 49,691 shares, compared to its average volume of 371,239. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $114.73 and a 1 year high of $150.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The company has a market cap of $10.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.93 and a beta of 0.59. The business has a fifty day moving average of $126.09 and a 200 day moving average of $132.28.

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

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.27%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note 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.