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

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) has been given an average rating of “Hold” by the five brokerages that are covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and two have assigned a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $150.75.

Several research firms have commented on AFG. Piper Sandler increased their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, May 26th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on American Financial Group from $158.00 to $173.00 and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Thursday, July 9th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on American Financial Group from $140.00 to $148.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, July 8th. Finally, Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Thursday, June 11th.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, insider David Lawrence Thompson, Jr. sold 11,370 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, June 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of $135.05, for a total transaction of $1,535,518.50. Following the transaction, the insider owned 584,098 shares in the company, valued at $78,882,434.90. This trade represents a 1.91% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, SVP Michelle A. Gillis sold 2,247 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, June 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of $139.00, for a total transaction of $312,333.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the senior vice president directly owned 13,135 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,825,765. This represents a 14.61% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale is available in the SEC filing. Company insiders own 16.90% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its position in American Financial Group by 2.3% during the 4th quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,567,721 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $350,956,000 after acquiring an additional 57,246 shares during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its holdings in American Financial Group by 1.7% during the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,732,557 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $236,645,000 after acquiring an additional 29,731 shares during the period. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 19.0% in the first quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,506,510 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $192,395,000 after purchasing an additional 240,509 shares during the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 33.2% in the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,026,783 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $149,623,000 after purchasing an additional 255,693 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Morgan Stanley grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 4.3% in the fourth quarter. Morgan Stanley now owns 894,998 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $122,329,000 after purchasing an additional 36,971 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Stock Down 0.0%

American Financial Group stock opened at $141.72 on Monday. The company has a market capitalization of $11.78 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.47 and a beta of 0.62. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $137.47 and its 200-day simple moving average is $132.88. The company has a current ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. American Financial Group has a 1-year low of $122.11 and a 1-year high of $150.02.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, July 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, July 15th were issued a $0.88 dividend. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, July 15th. American Financial Group’s payout ratio is 33.46%.

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.