American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Sold by Swiss National Bank

Swiss National Bank lessened its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 3.1% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 225,600 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 7,300 shares during the period. Swiss National Bank owned 0.27% of American Financial Group worth $26,822,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Vanguard Group Inc. raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 1.0% in the 3rd quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 8,288,375 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $925,563,000 after acquiring an additional 81,293 shares during the period. FMR LLC grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 16.1% in the 3rd quarter. FMR LLC now owns 4,710,065 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $525,973,000 after buying an additional 654,442 shares during the last quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 5.2% during the fourth quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 3,838,501 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $456,359,000 after buying an additional 191,269 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 7.2% in the third quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 838,468 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $93,632,000 after acquiring an additional 56,267 shares during the period. Finally, Northern Trust Corp grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 4.0% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 635,387 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $70,954,000 after acquiring an additional 24,630 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of AFG stock traded up $0.52 during mid-day trading on Thursday, reaching $131.11. The company's stock had a trading volume of 144,353 shares, compared to its average volume of 329,404. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a current ratio of 0.47. The firm's 50-day moving average is $130.24 and its two-hundred day moving average is $121.65. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $105.22 and a 1-year high of $137.71. The company has a market cap of $10.99 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.55 and a beta of 0.79.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $2.76 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates 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 business had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.89 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the firm posted $2.89 EPS. On average, research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.99 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th were given a $0.71 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.17%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.18%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the stock in a transaction on 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 sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through the SEC website. In other American Financial Group news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the company's stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total transaction of $135,455.65. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,583 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,343,511.85. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through the SEC website. Also, Director Lehman John I. Von sold 1,773 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 22nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $125.48, for a total transaction of $222,476.04. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 12,343 shares in the company, valued at $1,548,799.64. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last ninety days, insiders have sold 9,667 shares of company stock valued at $1,228,450. 14.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of analysts have weighed in on AFG shares. Citigroup increased their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $139.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday, March 25th. Piper Sandler lifted their target price on American Financial Group from $129.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Monday. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $135.00.

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.