American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Sold by Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH

Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH trimmed its holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 6.6% during the first quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 141,033 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 9,959 shares during the quarter. Universal Beteiligungs und Servicegesellschaft mbH owned about 0.17% of American Financial Group worth $18,523,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of the company. Allianz Asset Management GmbH increased its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 277,454 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $36,441,000 after buying an additional 15,440 shares during the last quarter. Souders Financial Advisors acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth approximately $261,000. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 74.7% in the 1st quarter. Verdence Capital Advisors LLC now owns 4,426 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $581,000 after purchasing an additional 1,893 shares during the last quarter. CWM LLC increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 297.3% in the 1st quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,407 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $710,000 after purchasing an additional 4,046 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Louisiana State Employees Retirement System increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 1.0% in the 1st quarter. Louisiana State Employees Retirement System now owns 20,200 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $2,653,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.4%

Shares of American Financial Group stock traded up $0.45 during trading on Friday, hitting $126.22. 536,693 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 479,934. The stock has a market cap of $10.56 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.26 and a beta of 0.71. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $124.97 and its 200 day moving average price is $126.79. 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 0.34, a current ratio of 0.67 and a quick ratio of 0.67.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly 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 company had revenue of $1.58 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.74 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.76 earnings per share. American Financial Group's revenue was down 2.6% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, July 15th were given a dividend of $0.80 per share. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, July 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.54%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 33.61%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several analysts recently weighed in on AFG shares. Wall Street Zen downgraded shares of American Financial Group from a "hold" rating to a "sell" rating in a report on Saturday, June 21st. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $125.00 to $127.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 9th.

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.