Hsbc Holdings PLC Raises Stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Hsbc Holdings PLC boosted its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 32.2% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 242,412 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 59,002 shares during the quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC owned about 0.29% of American Financial Group worth $33,190,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds also recently bought and sold shares of AFG. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 127.3% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 9,175 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,256,000 after acquiring an additional 5,139 shares during the period. Natixis bought a new position in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at about $47,000. MetLife Investment Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 9.1% in the 4th quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 40,682 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $5,571,000 after purchasing an additional 3,394 shares during the last quarter. Ossiam increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 82.2% in the fourth quarter. Ossiam now owns 2,576 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $353,000 after purchasing an additional 1,162 shares during the last quarter. Finally, BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $329,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. The trade was a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 17.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of AFG traded down $0.87 during midday trading on Thursday, reaching $125.80. 189,652 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 516,845. American Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $114.73 and a twelve month 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 stock's 50 day simple moving average is $126.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $132.24. The company has a market cap of $10.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.90 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 analysts' consensus estimates of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. On average, sell-side analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.54%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on shares of 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.

About American Financial Group

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.