American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Acquired by SG Americas Securities LLC

SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 6,414.6% during the 1st quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 129,967 shares of the insurance provider's stock after acquiring an additional 127,972 shares during the quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC owned approximately 0.16% of American Financial Group worth $17,070,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Natixis purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 91.2% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at $73,000. Finally, UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in American Financial Group by 97.4% in the 1st quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 671 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $88,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG traded up $2.34 during trading on Thursday, reaching $125.29. 456,408 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 401,086. The firm's fifty day simple moving average is $124.99 and its 200 day simple moving average is $129.75. The stock has a market cap of $10.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.85 and a beta of 0.73. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $114.73 and a 12-month high of $150.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released 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 net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 20.30%. 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 business posted $2.76 EPS. The business's quarterly revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.55%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 33.61%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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