American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Stake Reduced by LSV Asset Management

LSV Asset Management decreased its stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 12.6% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 1,100,770 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 158,704 shares during the quarter. LSV Asset Management owned 1.31% of American Financial Group worth $130,871,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

A number of other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AFG. SG Americas Securities LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 242.3% in the 3rd quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 3,053 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $341,000 after purchasing an additional 2,161 shares during the period. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC lifted its stake in American Financial Group by 11.9% in the 3rd quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 11,800 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,318,000 after acquiring an additional 1,251 shares in the last quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank lifted its stake in American Financial Group by 4.7% in the 3rd quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank now owns 28,691 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $3,204,000 after acquiring an additional 1,296 shares in the last quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter worth about $2,379,000. Finally, Advisor Partners II LLC lifted its stake in American Financial Group by 75.9% in the 3rd quarter. Advisor Partners II LLC now owns 4,558 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $509,000 after acquiring an additional 1,967 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total transaction of $135,455.65. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 10,583 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,511.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In related news, Director James E. Evans sold 2,274 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, March 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of $128.64, for a total transaction of $292,527.36. Following the sale, the director now owns 105,302 shares of the company's stock, valued at $13,546,049.28. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, February 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total value of $135,455.65. Following the sale, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,583 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,511.85. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 14,843 shares of company stock valued at $1,854,746 over the last three months. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of AFG stock traded down $0.27 during trading on Friday, reaching $127.41. The company had a trading volume of 246,863 shares, compared to its average volume of 273,413. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is $129.98 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $121.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a current ratio of 0.47 and a quick ratio of 0.47. American Financial Group, Inc. has a one year low of $105.22 and a one year high of $137.71. The company has a market capitalization of $10.68 billion, a PE ratio of 12.19 and a beta of 0.79.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $2.76 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.70 by $0.06. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 21.56% and a net margin of 11.03%. The company had revenue of $1.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.89 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.89 EPS. Sell-side analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.99 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 25th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th were paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.23%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.18%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several brokerages recently issued reports on AFG. Piper Sandler reissued a "neutral" rating and issued a $129.00 price objective on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Monday, April 1st. Citigroup raised their price target on American Financial Group from $139.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Monday, March 25th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average price target of $133.50.

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.