Bridges Investment Management Inc. Boosts Stock Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Bridges Investment Management Inc. increased its position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 42.9% in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 100,595 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 30,204 shares during the quarter. Bridges Investment Management Inc. owned approximately 0.12% of American Financial Group worth $13,212,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in American Financial Group by 144.3% during the first quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 215 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $28,000 after buying an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Natixis purchased a new stake in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 91.2% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $71,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. bought a new stake in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $73,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.5%

NYSE:AFG traded up $0.67 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $126.36. The company's stock had a trading volume of 564,831 shares, compared to its average volume of 417,415. 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 stock has a fifty day moving average of $124.54 and a 200-day moving average of $127.55. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $114.73 and a 1 year high of $150.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.57 billion, a PE ratio of 13.27 and a beta of 0.71.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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 analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $2.76 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% compared to the same quarter last year. 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 declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.53%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 33.61%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

AFG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods raised their target price on American Financial Group from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of American Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a 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.