Ameriprise Financial Inc. Sells 2,413 Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Ameriprise Financial Inc. lessened its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 1.5% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm owned 154,169 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 2,413 shares during the period. Ameriprise Financial Inc. owned 0.18% of American Financial Group worth $21,110,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. Mercer Global Advisors Inc. ADV acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth $662,000. Jane Street Group LLC grew its stake in American Financial Group by 759.1% during the fourth quarter. Jane Street Group LLC now owns 17,181 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $2,353,000 after buying an additional 15,181 shares in the last quarter. Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth about $10,876,000. Utah Retirement Systems increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 0.8% in the 4th quarter. Utah Retirement Systems now owns 11,917 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,632,000 after buying an additional 100 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 35.8% in the 4th quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 802,069 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $109,827,000 after buying an additional 211,630 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of AFG stock traded up $0.50 on Monday, hitting $127.12. 277,686 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 384,611. The company has a 50 day moving average of $126.17 and a 200 day moving average of $131.60. The stock has a market cap of $10.64 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.03 and a beta of 0.72. 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 12 month low of $114.73 and a 12 month high of $150.19.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The insurance provider reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.36). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. The business had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the firm posted $2.76 EPS. The firm's revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS 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 issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.52%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is presently 33.61%.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,954,717. This 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 at this hyperlink. 17.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, May 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.