Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Acquires New Shares in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 49,658 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $6,800,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned 0.06% of American Financial Group at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the stock. Voya Investment Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 89.5% during the fourth quarter. Voya Investment Management LLC now owns 672,851 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $92,134,000 after purchasing an additional 317,859 shares in the last quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC lifted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 32.2% during the 4th quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 242,412 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $33,190,000 after buying an additional 59,002 shares in the last quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC boosted its holdings in American Financial Group by 127.3% in the 4th quarter. Tower Research Capital LLC TRC now owns 9,175 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,256,000 after buying an additional 5,139 shares during the period. Natixis purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth $47,000. Finally, MetLife Investment Management LLC raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 9.1% during the fourth quarter. MetLife Investment Management LLC now owns 40,682 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $5,571,000 after acquiring an additional 3,394 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their target price on American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of American Financial Group stock traded up $3.72 during trading on Friday, reaching $129.83. 305,142 shares of the stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 374,476. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The company has a market capitalization of $10.86 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.28 and a beta of 0.59. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $114.73 and a 52-week high of $150.19. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $126.35 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $132.17.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. Sell-side analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 15th were given a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.46%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This represents a 5.51 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

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.