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

Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) have earned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the five research firms that are presently covering the stock, MarketBeat reports. Three research 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 brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $145.25.

A number of analysts have recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on American Financial Group from $134.00 to $140.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Weiss Ratings upgraded American Financial Group from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, March 16th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their target price on American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 5th.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total value of $222,343.10. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 12,073 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,614,160.10. The trade was a 12.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 17.40% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in American Financial Group by 904.8% in the 4th quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 211 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $30,000. Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Clearstead Advisors LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 87.7% in the 4th quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 259 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Smartleaf Asset Management LLC grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 165.0% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 273 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Trading Up 1.1%

AFG opened at $127.12 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.59 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.62 and a beta of 0.69. American Financial Group has a 12 month low of $114.73 and a 12 month high of $150.02. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $129.27 and its 200 day simple moving average is $134.46. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.79 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.64% and a net margin of 10.30%.The company’s revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $3.12 EPS. As a group, research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 16th were issued a $1.50 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 34.96%.

About American Financial Group

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.