American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG) – What Are Analysts Thinking About This Stock?

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) has received an average rating of “Hold” from the five ratings firms that are presently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Three analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $152.75.

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on AFG shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $153.00 to $147.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Monday, October 12th. Weiss Ratings raised shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “buy (b)” rating in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Wall Street Zen raised American Financial Group from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Saturday. Piper Sandler raised their price target 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. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company decreased their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $175.00 to $166.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a report on Monday, October 12th.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 950 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, September 2nd. The stock was sold at an average price of $142.87, for a total value of $135,726.50. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 11,123 shares in the company, valued at $1,589,143.01. The trade was a 7.87% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, VP Mark A. Weiss sold 2,813 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $144.76, for a total transaction of $407,209.88. Following the sale, the vice president directly owned 6,648 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $962,364.48. This trade represents a 29.73% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Corporate insiders own 16.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On American Financial Group

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the company. Cassaday & Co Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group during the first quarter valued at $26,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $32,000. Versant Capital Management Inc raised its position in American Financial Group by 135.7% during the 3rd quarter. Versant Capital Management Inc now owns 264 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $36,000 after purchasing an additional 152 shares in the last quarter. Keating Financial Advisory Services Inc. purchased a new position in American Financial Group during the 2nd quarter valued at about $42,000. Finally, Mitsubishi UFJ Asset Management Co. Ltd. bought a new position in American Financial Group in the second quarter worth approximately $46,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

American Financial Group Trading Up 2.4%

Shares of AFG traded up $3.52 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $149.25. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 431,628 shares, compared to its average volume of 400,159. The company’s fifty day moving average price is $142.50 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $137.93. The company has a current ratio of 0.49, a quick ratio of 0.49 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. American Financial Group has a 52 week low of $123.09 and a 52 week high of $149.31. The stock has a market cap of $12.38 billion, a PE ratio of 13.05 and a beta of 0.59.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 4th. The insurance provider reported $2.82 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.32 by $0.50. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.35% and a net margin of 11.51%. The firm had revenue of $2.03 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.85 billion. During the same period last year, the firm earned $2.14 earnings per share. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 5.5% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that American Financial Group will post 12.29 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 23rd. Investors of record on Thursday, October 15th will be given a dividend of $0.97 per share. This represents a $3.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.6%. This is a positive change from American Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.88. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, October 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 33.92%.

About American Financial Group

American Financial Group, Inc is an insurance holding company headquartered in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through its Great American Insurance Group businesses, the company primarily provides property and casualty insurance products, with an emphasis on specialty commercial markets that require specialized underwriting expertise.

Its insurance offerings include coverage for commercial transportation, agriculture, workers’ compensation, excess and surplus risks, environmental exposures, inland marine, and other niche industries.