American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Sold by NorthRock Partners LLC

NorthRock Partners LLC lowered its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 8.4% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund owned 2,891 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 265 shares during the period. NorthRock Partners LLC’s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $395,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other large investors also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. lifted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 2.2% in the 1st quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 4,674 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $638,000 after purchasing an additional 100 shares during the last quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 3.0% in the first quarter. Resonant Capital Advisors LLC now owns 5,119 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $699,000 after buying an additional 148 shares during the last quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC raised its stake in American Financial Group by 7.4% in the first quarter. SG Americas Securities LLC now owns 2,642 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $361,000 after buying an additional 182 shares in the last quarter. Commerce Bank lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 9,021 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,073,000 after buying an additional 185 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Metis Global Partners LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 5.3% during the 4th quarter. Metis Global Partners LLC now owns 4,586 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $545,000 after acquiring an additional 230 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AFG traded up $0.69 on Monday, reaching $126.71. 301,690 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 307,133. The company has a current ratio of 0.46, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $105.22 and a 1-year high of $137.71. The company has a 50-day moving average of $126.97 and a 200-day moving average of $126.21. The firm has a market cap of $10.63 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.13 and a beta of 0.79.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 2nd. The insurance provider reported $2.76 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.70 by $0.06. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 21.34% and a net margin of 11.03%. The business had revenue of $1.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.89 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the company earned $2.89 EPS. Equities analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.93 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, July 25th. Stockholders of record on Monday, July 15th will be paid a dividend of $0.71 per share. This represents a $2.84 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, July 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 27.18%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other American Financial Group news, Director Amy Y. Murray purchased 1,200 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, June 28th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $125.17 per share, for a total transaction of $150,204.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 1,200 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $150,204. The purchase was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Insiders own 14.50% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several equities research analysts recently weighed in on AFG shares. Piper Sandler boosted 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 cut shares of American Financial Group from a “buy” rating to a “neutral” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $144.00 to $137.00 in a report on Friday, June 28th. Four analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $131.75.

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.