American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Receives Consensus Recommendation of “Hold” from Analysts

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) has been assigned an average recommendation of “Hold” from the five ratings firms that are presently covering the company, Marketbeat reports. Four research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has assigned a buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $141.25.

AFG has been the topic of several research reports. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings cut shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $142.00 target price on shares of American Financial Group in a report on Tuesday, November 11th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of AFG stock opened at $131.67 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a current ratio of 0.23. The firm has a market cap of $10.97 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.08 and a beta of 0.69. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $131.43 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.47. American Financial Group has a one year low of $114.73 and a one year high of $150.02.

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

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 16th were issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, February 13th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is 34.96%.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total value of $222,343.10. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 12,073 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,614,160.10. This trade represents a 12.11% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 17.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

Institutional Trading of American Financial Group

A number of large investors have recently made changes to their positions in AFG. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 421.1% in the second quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 198 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after acquiring an additional 160 shares in the last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group in the 2nd quarter valued at $27,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted 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 purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.