Townsquare Capital LLC Takes $286,000 Position in American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG

Key Points

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Townsquare Capital LLC acquired a new stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the first quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 2,180 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $286,000.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Private Trust Co. NA lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 144.3% during the 1st quarter. Private Trust Co. NA now owns 215 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $28,000 after purchasing an additional 127 shares during the last quarter. Natixis acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $53,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $55,000. Finally, Costello Asset Management INC acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $68,000. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Financial Group news, Director Stephen Craig Lindner, Jr. sold 10,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.31, for a total transaction of $1,343,100.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 326,730 shares in the company, valued at $43,883,106.30. This trade represents a 2.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

American Financial Group Price Performance

American Financial Group stock traded up $1.5720 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $134.6320. 249,671 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 471,970. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $127.04 and a 200-day simple moving average of $125.91. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $114.73 and a 12 month high of $150.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. The firm has a market cap of $11.23 billion, a PE ratio of 14.79 and a beta of 0.74.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.14 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $2.08 by $0.06. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 17.41% and a net margin of 9.21%.The firm had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.77 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.56 EPS. The company's revenue was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, equities research analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 35.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently weighed in on AFG. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on American Financial Group from $127.00 to $124.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Wall Street Zen raised American Financial Group from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group lifted their price target on American Financial Group from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the stock a "hold" rating in a report on Monday, August 11th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, According to data from MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $136.75.

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.