Hengehold Capital Management LLC Grows Stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Hengehold Capital Management LLC raised its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 4.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 46,776 shares of the insurance provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,047 shares during the quarter. Hengehold Capital Management LLC owned about 0.06% of American Financial Group worth $6,144,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of AFG. Norges Bank purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $122,419,000. Voya Investment Management LLC increased its stake in American Financial Group by 89.5% in the fourth quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 672,851 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $92,134,000 after acquiring an additional 317,859 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in American Financial Group by 35.8% during the fourth quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 802,069 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $109,827,000 after acquiring an additional 211,630 shares during the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 26.2% during the fourth quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 997,340 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $136,566,000 after buying an additional 207,285 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH purchased a new position in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $20,675,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG traded down $0.77 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $122.75. 686,569 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 508,582. American Financial Group, Inc. has a one year low of $114.73 and a one year high of $150.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67. The company's 50 day moving average is $125.22 and its 200 day moving average is $129.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.27 billion, a PE ratio of 12.89 and a beta of 0.72.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The insurance provider reported $1.81 earnings per share 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 business had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business earned $2.76 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were issued a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.61%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.61%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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.

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.