9,270 Shares in American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG Bought by Vise Technologies Inc.

Key Points

• Vise Technologies purchased 9,270 American Financial Group shares in the third quarter, valued at about $1.27 million. Institutional investors collectively own 64.37% of the company’s stock.
• AFG reported quarterly earnings of $3.97 per share, beating the $3.80 consensus estimate, and revenue of $2.58 billion versus estimates of $2.40 billion.
• Analysts’ consensus rating is Hold, with an average price target of $156.25. The company also declared a $3.50-per-share special dividend.

Vise Technologies Inc. bought a new stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund bought 9,270 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,268,000.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 1st quarter valued at $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc grew its position in American Financial Group by 135.7% in the third quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 264 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $36,000 after acquiring an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in American Financial Group in the second quarter worth $42,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new position in American Financial Group in the second quarter valued at $46,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AFG has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Wall Street Zen cut American Financial Group from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Saturday. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on American Financial Group from $153.00 to $147.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on American Financial Group from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings upgraded American Financial Group from a "buy (b-)" rating to a "buy (b)" rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company raised their price objective on American Financial Group from $166.00 to $180.00 and gave the company an "overweight" rating in a report on Thursday. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $156.25.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Brian Hertzman sold 950 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.87, for a total transaction of $135,726.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 11,123 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,589,143.01. This trade represents a 7.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 16.90% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of AFG opened at $154.57 on Friday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $123.09 and a fifty-two week high of $159.61. The firm has a market cap of $12.82 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.61 and a beta of 0.55. The firm has a 50 day moving average price of $144.87 and a 200-day moving average price of $137.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 0.49.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, November 3rd. The insurance provider reported $3.97 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.80 by $0.17. The company had revenue of $2.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.40 billion. American Financial Group had a net margin of 11.96% and a return on equity of 22.50%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.69 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 12.29 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 16th will be given a dividend of $3.50 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, November 16th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 31.65%.

About American Financial Group

American Financial Group, Inc is an insurance holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through Great American Insurance Group, it provides property and casualty insurance, with a focus on specialty commercial markets and coverage tailored to specific industries and customer needs.

Its products include insurance for businesses, farms and agricultural operations, and individuals, offered through a network of independent agents and brokers. AFG's insurance operations serve customers primarily in the United States, with some products and services available internationally.

The company traces its roots to 1959, while its Great American Insurance Company subsidiary was founded in 1872.

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