Forum Financial Management LP Makes New Investment in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Forum Financial Management LP acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 2,261 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $310,000.

A number of other hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter valued at about $122,419,000. Voya Investment Management LLC raised its position 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 purchasing an additional 317,859 shares during the period. Northern Trust Corp lifted its stake 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 worth $109,827,000 after purchasing an additional 211,630 shares in the last quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp boosted its position 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 worth $136,566,000 after buying an additional 207,285 shares during the period. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 27.7% in the fourth quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 684,178 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $93,684,000 after buying an additional 148,259 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

NYSE AFG traded up $1.33 on Thursday, hitting $122.96. 295,954 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 390,078. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.53. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $114.73 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19. The firm has a market cap of $10.29 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.63 and a beta of 0.72. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $125.71 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $131.01.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, May 6th. The insurance provider reported $1.81 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.17 by ($0.36). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. The company had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $2.76 earnings per share. American Financial Group's revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, research analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were given a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.60%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is 33.61%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their target price on American Financial Group from $126.00 to $125.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a 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.