BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S Buys Shares of 2,401 American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

BI Asset Management Fondsmaeglerselskab A S bought a new stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund bought 2,401 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $329,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the business. Barclays PLC increased its stake in American Financial Group by 11.0% in the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 63,333 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $8,528,000 after purchasing an additional 6,272 shares during the period. Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in American Financial Group by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 49,796 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $6,833,000 after acquiring an additional 7,365 shares during the period. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its position in American Financial Group by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 171,354 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $23,064,000 after acquiring an additional 1,714 shares during the period. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC raised its stake in American Financial Group by 0.4% during the 3rd quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 399,177 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $53,729,000 after acquiring an additional 1,563 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in American Financial Group by 78.3% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 333,078 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $44,832,000 after acquiring an additional 146,237 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 17.40% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

NYSE AFG traded down $1.51 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $126.53. 444,898 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 373,250. 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 $10.59 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.97 and a beta of 0.59. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $114.73 and a 12-month high of $150.19. The stock has a 50-day moving average of $126.23 and a 200 day moving average of $132.24.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results 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%. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business 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. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.53%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on 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.