American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Given Average Recommendation of “Hold” by Brokerages

Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) have been given an average rating of “Hold” by the five brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $156.00.

Several research firms have recently commented on AFG. Wall Street Zen raised American Financial Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report on Saturday, August 15th. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $158.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Thursday, July 9th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th.

Insider Activity

In related news, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,247 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, June 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of $139.00, for a total value of $312,333.00. Following the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,135 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,825,765. This trade represents a 14.61% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, insider David Lawrence Thompson, Jr. sold 11,370 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, June 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $135.05, for a total value of $1,535,518.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 584,098 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $78,882,434.90. This trade represents a 1.91% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. In the last three months, insiders sold 16,430 shares of company stock worth $2,255,061. 16.90% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Financial Group

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 904.8% during the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 211 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares in the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 87.7% during the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 259 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $35,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. bought a new position in American Financial Group in the second quarter valued at approximately $42,000. Finally, Los Angeles Capital Management LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $45,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Stock Down 1.7%

AFG stock opened at $142.55 on Friday. American Financial Group has a 1-year low of $123.09 and a 1-year high of $150.02. The business’s 50 day simple moving average is $142.11 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.86. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.82 billion, a PE ratio of 12.46 and a beta of 0.62.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The insurance provider reported $2.82 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.50. American Financial Group had a net margin of 11.51% and a return on equity of 20.35%. The firm had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.85 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business posted $2.14 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 12.13 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th were paid a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.77%.

American Financial Group Company Profile

American Financial Group, Inc (NYSE: AFG) is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. Through its flagship subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company, the firm underwrites a broad range of specialty insurance products for commercial and industrial clients, including inland marine, excess and surplus lines, executive liability, and environmental liability coverage. In addition, American Financial Group offers supplemental accident and health insurance and assumes reinsurance risks from other insurers, helping to diversify its underwriting portfolio.

The company traces its roots to 1946, when it was founded by Carl Lindner, Sr.