UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC Buys 31,240 Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG

UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC boosted its stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 14.8% during the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 241,925 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after buying an additional 31,240 shares during the quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC owned approximately 0.29% of American Financial Group worth $33,855,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Van ECK Associates Corp bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the second quarter valued at $8,046,000. Hsbc Holdings PLC grew its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 11.2% in the 2nd quarter. Hsbc Holdings PLC now owns 89,669 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $12,624,000 after purchasing an additional 9,014 shares during the last quarter. Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 2nd quarter worth about $2,213,000. United Capital Financial Advisors LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $219,000. Finally, Public Employees Retirement System of Ohio bought a new position in American Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $2,643,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Financial Group Trading Up 1.3%

AFG opened at $144.45 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.98 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.63 and a beta of 0.60. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $142.86 and its 200 day simple moving average is $135.35. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $123.09 and a 12 month high of $150.02.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The insurance provider reported $2.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.50. The business had revenue of $2.03 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.85 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 11.51%.American Financial Group’s quarterly revenue was up 5.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period last year, the company earned $2.14 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 12.13 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 24th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, July 15th were paid a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.4%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.77%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other news, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,247 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.00, for a total value of $312,333.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president owned 13,135 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $1,825,765. This trade represents a 14.61% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. Also, VP Mark A. Weiss sold 2,813 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 6th. The stock was sold at an average price of $144.76, for a total value of $407,209.88. Following the transaction, the vice president owned 6,648 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $962,364.48. The trade was a 29.73% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Insiders have sold 17,380 shares of company stock valued at $2,390,788 in the last ninety days. 16.90% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

AFG has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $158.00 to $173.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research note on Thursday, July 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price objective on American Financial Group from $148.00 to $153.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Piper Sandler upped their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $140.00 to $156.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Wall Street Zen raised American Financial Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday, August 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have issued a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Financial Group currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $156.00.

American Financial Group Company Profile

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.