IFM Investors Pty Ltd Boosts Stock Holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

IFM Investors Pty Ltd raised its holdings in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 18.9% in the 1st quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 13,051 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 2,076 shares during the period. IFM Investors Pty Ltd's holdings in American Financial Group were worth $1,757,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AFG. Private Trust Co. NA raised its stake in shares of 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 acquiring an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Natixis bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 91.2% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $73,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on AFG shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Wednesday. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of American Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a research note on Saturday, June 21st.

American Financial Group Trading Down 1.1%

AFG stock traded down $1.35 during trading on Friday, reaching $126.41. The company had a trading volume of 394,388 shares, compared to its average volume of 419,248. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $114.73 and a 52 week high of $150.19. The company has a market cap of $10.58 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.28 and a beta of 0.71. The business has a 50 day moving average of $124.51 and a 200 day moving average of $127.32. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

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 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 business had revenue of $1.58 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.74 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $2.76 EPS. American Financial Group's revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, sell-side 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is 33.61%.

American Financial Group Profile

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.