American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Acquired by Allianz Asset Management GmbH

Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 5.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 277,454 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 15,440 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH owned 0.33% of American Financial Group worth $36,441,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its position in American Financial Group by 144.3% in the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 215 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $28,000 after acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Natixis purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at $53,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at $73,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its position in American Financial Group by 97.4% in the first quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 671 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $88,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of AFG traded up $0.45 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $126.22. 536,693 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 479,934. The company has a quick ratio of 0.67, a current ratio of 0.67 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $124.97 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $126.75. The company has a market cap of $10.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.26 and a beta of 0.71. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $114.73 and a 52-week high of $150.19.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The insurance provider reported $1.81 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter last year, the business posted $2.76 EPS. The firm's revenue was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, sell-side analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.54%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AFG has been the subject of a number of research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 9th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research report on Saturday, June 21st.

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.