Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. Purchases 15,339 Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 3.6% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 444,538 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 15,339 shares during the quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. owned 0.53% of American Financial Group worth $52,851,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AFG. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC grew its stake in American Financial Group by 11.9% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 11,800 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,318,000 after purchasing an additional 1,251 shares in the last quarter. TD Asset Management Inc grew its stake in American Financial Group by 15.5% in the third quarter. TD Asset Management Inc now owns 20,636 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $2,304,000 after purchasing an additional 2,776 shares in the last quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp grew its stake in American Financial Group by 236.1% in the third quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 3,825 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $427,000 after purchasing an additional 2,687 shares in the last quarter. M&T Bank Corp grew its stake in American Financial Group by 13.1% in the third quarter. M&T Bank Corp now owns 4,115 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $460,000 after purchasing an additional 477 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Duality Advisers LP grew its stake in American Financial Group by 90.3% in the third quarter. Duality Advisers LP now owns 21,667 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $2,420,000 after purchasing an additional 10,280 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG traded up $0.02 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $133.55. 230,177 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 273,818. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.20 billion, a PE ratio of 12.78 and a beta of 0.79. The company's 50 day moving average price is $130.71 and its 200 day moving average price is $122.65. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $105.22 and a 12 month high of $137.71.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings results 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. The business had revenue of $1.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.89 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 21.34% and a net margin of 11.03%. During the same period last year, the firm posted $2.89 EPS. As a group, analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.94 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, April 25th. Investors of record on Monday, April 15th were issued a dividend of $0.71 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, April 12th. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.13%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 27.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Financial Group news, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,053 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The stock was sold at an average price of $126.81, for a total value of $260,340.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,554 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,157,132.74. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. In other American Financial Group news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction 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 completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer now directly owns 10,583 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $1,343,511.85. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. Also, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,053 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction on Friday, March 1st. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.81, for a total value of $260,340.93. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president now directly owns 48,554 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,157,132.74. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 9,667 shares of company stock valued at $1,228,450. Insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts have recently commented on the company. 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 note on Monday, May 6th. Citigroup lifted their target price 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 issued a buy rating to the company's stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, American Financial Group presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $135.00.

American Financial Group 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.