American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Purchased by Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund

Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 40.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 13,206 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 3,814 shares during the period. Illinois Municipal Retirement Fund's holdings in American Financial Group were worth $1,734,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Natixis purchased a new position in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position 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 worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $73,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. increased its holdings 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 acquiring an additional 331 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

American Financial Group stock traded up $1.16 during midday trading on Friday, reaching $126.40. The company's stock had a trading volume of 376,546 shares, compared to its average volume of 415,540. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.58 billion, a PE ratio of 13.28 and a beta of 0.71. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $114.73 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19. The stock's 50 day simple moving average is $124.62 and its 200 day simple moving average is $127.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.67 and a current ratio of 0.67.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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 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 quarter last year, the business earned $2.76 EPS. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. On average, 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 company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, July 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, July 15th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, July 15th. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 33.61%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. 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 for the company in a research report on Friday, May 9th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, June 21st.

American Financial Group Company 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.