Zacks Research Issues Positive Outlook for AFG Earnings

Key Points

• Zacks Research raised its Q3 2026 EPS forecast for American Financial Group to $3.12 from $3.11, while the consensus estimate for full-year earnings is $12.17 per share.
• AFG’s latest quarter exceeded expectations, with EPS of $2.82 versus the $2.32 consensus and revenue of $2.03 billion, up 5.5% year over year.
• Analyst sentiment remains mixed: the stock has an average “Hold” rating and a consensus price target of $156, compared with its recent price near $142. AFG also pays a quarterly dividend of $0.88 per share, yielding about 2.5%.

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research lifted their Q3 2026 earnings estimates for American Financial Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, September 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the insurance provider will earn $3.12 per share for the quarter, up from their previous forecast of $3.11. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group's current full-year earnings is $12.17 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group's FY2026 earnings at $11.74 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.67 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $3.05 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $3.02 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.03 EPS.

Other equities research analysts have also issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings upgraded American Financial Group from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on American Financial Group from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on American Financial Group from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on American Financial Group from $158.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of American Financial Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Saturday, September 12th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, American Financial Group currently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $156.00.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

AFG stock opened at $142.29 on Monday. The firm has a market cap of $11.80 billion, a PE ratio of 12.44 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $143.10 and a 200-day moving average price of $136.22. American Financial Group has a 1-year low of $123.09 and a 1-year high of $150.02.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The insurance provider reported $2.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $0.50. The business had revenue of $2.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.85 billion. American Financial Group had a net margin of 11.51% and a return on equity of 20.35%. American Financial Group's revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.14 earnings per share.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Steph & Co. raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 11.5% in the first quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 787 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $101,000 after buying an additional 81 shares during the period. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 4.4% during the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,975 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $252,000 after acquiring an additional 83 shares during the period. Valmark Advisers Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 1.0% during the 1st quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 8,307 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,061,000 after acquiring an additional 85 shares during the period. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 3,061 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $391,000 after acquiring an additional 88 shares during the period. Finally, Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 3.6% in the 1st quarter. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,820 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $360,000 after acquiring an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In related news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 950 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.87, for a total value of $135,726.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 11,123 shares in the company, valued at $1,589,143.01. This trade represents a 7.87% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, insider David Lawrence Thompson, Jr. sold 11,370 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction on Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.05, for a total transaction of $1,535,518.50. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 584,098 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $78,882,434.90. The trade was a 1.91% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders have sold 17,380 shares of company stock worth $2,390,788. Insiders own 16.90% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th were issued a dividend of $0.88 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 15th. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.5%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 30.77%.

American Financial Group Company Profile

American Financial Group, Inc NYSE: AFG is an insurance holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through its Great American Insurance Group subsidiaries, the company primarily underwrites specialty property and casualty insurance and sells annuity products.

Its property and casualty operations serve businesses, organizations and individuals through specialized products that include commercial transportation, agricultural and crop insurance, workers' compensation, casualty coverage, financial institution insurance, surety and fidelity bonds, marine insurance, travel insurance and public-sector coverage.

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