Cwm LLC Boosts Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

CWM LLC increased its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 297.3% in the 1st quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 5,407 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 4,046 shares during the quarter. CWM LLC's holdings in American Financial Group were worth $710,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Trust Co. NA grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 144.3% in the 1st 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 in the last quarter. Natixis acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at $53,000. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at $73,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. lifted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 97.4% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 671 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $88,000 after purchasing an additional 331 shares during the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research firms recently issued reports on AFG. Wall Street Zen lowered American Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on American Financial Group from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 9th.

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.4%

AFG stock traded up $0.45 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $126.22. The company had a trading volume of 536,693 shares, compared to its average volume of 479,934. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67. The company has a market capitalization of $10.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.26 and a beta of 0.71. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $124.97 and a 200 day simple moving average of $126.79. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $114.73 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly 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 net margin of 9.66% and a return on equity of 18.34%. The company had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.74 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business earned $2.76 EPS. American Financial Group's revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 25th. Stockholders 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 payout ratio is currently 33.61%.

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.