Voya Investment Management LLC Boosts Stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Voya Investment Management LLC grew its position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 89.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 672,851 shares of the insurance provider's stock after buying an additional 317,859 shares during the period. Voya Investment Management LLC owned approximately 0.80% of American Financial Group worth $92,134,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Intech Investment Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 57.1% during the 4th quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 38,623 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $5,289,000 after acquiring an additional 14,045 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 2.6% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 151,771 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $20,782,000 after buying an additional 3,911 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 55.2% during the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 7,837 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,073,000 after acquiring an additional 2,789 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 78.3% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 333,078 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $44,832,000 after purchasing an additional 146,237 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 49,796 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $6,833,000 after buying an additional 7,365 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the completion of 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 position. The acquisition was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Corporate insiders own 17.40% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Trading Down 1.6 %

Shares of AFG stock traded down $2.08 during trading hours on Wednesday, reaching $125.96. 67,993 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 371,314. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.92 and a beta of 0.59. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12-month low of $114.73 and a 12-month high of $150.19. The company's 50-day moving average price is $126.09 and its 200-day moving average price is $132.28. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 EPS 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%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th were paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.54%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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