Zacks Research Brokers Boost Earnings Estimates for AFG

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research upped their Q3 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of American Financial Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Friday, September 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the insurance provider will post earnings per share of $3.12 for the quarter, up from their prior estimate of $3.11. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group’s current full-year earnings is $12.17 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group’s FY2026 earnings at $11.74 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.67 EPS, Q1 2028 earnings at $3.05 EPS, Q2 2028 earnings at $3.02 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $12.03 EPS.

AFG has been the subject of a number of other research reports. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Wall Street Zen cut shares of American Financial Group from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, September 12th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price objective on American Financial Group from $158.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on American Financial Group from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have assigned a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $156.00.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of AFG opened at $140.60 on Monday. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $143.05 and its 200 day moving average price is $136.34. American Financial Group has a 52 week low of $123.09 and a 52 week high of $150.02. The company has a market capitalization of $11.66 billion, a PE ratio of 12.29 and a beta of 0.60. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a current ratio of 0.49.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its earnings results on Tuesday, August 4th. The insurance provider reported $2.82 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.32 by $0.50. The company had revenue of $2.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.85 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 11.51%.The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $2.14 EPS.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 950 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, September 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.87, for a total transaction of $135,726.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 11,123 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,589,143.01. This trade represents a 7.87% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, VP Mark A. Weiss sold 2,813 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.76, for a total transaction of $407,209.88. Following the completion of the sale, the vice president directly owned 6,648 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $962,364.48. The trade was a 29.73% decrease in their position. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Insiders own 16.90% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Steph & Co. grew its position in American Financial Group by 11.5% during the 1st quarter. Steph & Co. now owns 787 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $101,000 after acquiring an additional 81 shares during the last quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 4.4% in the 1st quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,975 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $252,000 after purchasing an additional 83 shares in the last quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. raised its position in American Financial Group by 1.0% in the first quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 8,307 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,061,000 after purchasing an additional 85 shares during the last quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp raised its position in American Financial Group by 3.0% in the first quarter. OMERS ADMINISTRATION Corp now owns 3,061 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $391,000 after purchasing an additional 88 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 3.6% during the first quarter. Kellett Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 2,820 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $360,000 after purchasing an additional 99 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

About American Financial Group

American Financial Group, Inc (NYSE:AFG) is an insurance holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through its Great American Insurance Group subsidiaries, the company primarily underwrites specialty property and casualty insurance and sells annuity products.

Its property and casualty operations serve businesses, organizations and individuals through specialized products that include commercial transportation, agricultural and crop insurance, workers’ compensation, casualty coverage, financial institution insurance, surety and fidelity bonds, marine insurance, travel insurance and public-sector coverage.