Wall Street Zen Downgrades American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) to Sell

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) was downgraded by research analysts at Wall Street Zen from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a note issued to investors on Saturday.

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on American Financial Group from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Friday, May 9th. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating and four have assigned a hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, American Financial Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $138.75.

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.9%

Shares of NYSE:AFG traded up $1.11 during trading on Friday, reaching $123.80. 703,172 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 409,339. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $125.08 and a 200 day simple moving average of $128.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. American Financial Group has a 1-year low of $114.73 and a 1-year high of $150.19. The firm has a market cap of $10.36 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.00 and a beta of 0.72.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, May 6th. The insurance provider reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.36). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.34% and a net margin of 9.66%. The firm had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.76 earnings per share. American Financial Group's revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 144.3% in the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 215 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $28,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Natixis acquired a new stake in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new stake in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $53,000. Finally, Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in American Financial Group during the first quarter valued at approximately $55,000. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.