Freestone Grove Partners LP Invests $10.88 Million in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Freestone Grove Partners LP acquired a new position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund acquired 79,430 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $10,876,000. Freestone Grove Partners LP owned 0.09% of American Financial Group as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UMB Bank n.a. grew its position in American Financial Group by 86.8% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Natixis acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth about $47,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its position in 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 buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in American Financial Group by 301.1% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 702 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $94,000 after buying an additional 527 shares in the last quarter. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its position in American Financial Group by 31.6% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $145,000 after buying an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Stock Down 0.3 %

NYSE AFG opened at $126.33 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stock's 50 day moving average is $126.35 and its two-hundred day moving average is $132.17. The company has a market capitalization of $10.57 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.95 and a beta of 0.59. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $114.73 and a 1-year high of $150.19.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 20.30%. Equities 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 was paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were issued a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,954,717. The trade was a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 17.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, April 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.

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