AlphaQuest LLC Sells 5,053 Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

AlphaQuest LLC trimmed its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 71.4% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 2,025 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after selling 5,053 shares during the quarter. AlphaQuest LLC’s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $277,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AFG. UMB Bank n.a. lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 86.8% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its holdings in American Financial Group by 91.2% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 301.1% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 702 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $94,000 after purchasing an additional 527 shares in the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the third quarter worth $125,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new stake in American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at $130,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

American Financial Group stock opened at $127.25 on Friday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $118.97 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.53. The stock has a market cap of $10.69 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.04 and a beta of 0.79. The firm’s fifty day moving average price is $129.35 and its 200-day moving average price is $134.27.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share 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%. On average, equities research analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be paid a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut American Financial Group from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and lowered their price target for the company from $164.00 to $144.00 in a report on Friday, February 7th.

American Financial Group Company 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.