Louisiana State Employees Retirement System Buys Shares of 18,400 American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Louisiana State Employees Retirement System bought a new stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 18,400 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $2,188,000.

Several other large investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AFG. Raymond James & Associates increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 2.7% during the first quarter. Raymond James & Associates now owns 10,823 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $1,576,000 after acquiring an additional 284 shares in the last quarter. American Century Companies Inc. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 26.6% during the first quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 14,648 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $2,133,000 after acquiring an additional 3,076 shares in the last quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 4.0% during the first quarter. PNC Financial Services Group Inc. now owns 5,474 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $798,000 after acquiring an additional 212 shares in the last quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 5.5% during the first quarter. Great West Life Assurance Co. Can now owns 50,464 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $7,610,000 after acquiring an additional 2,635 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Cibc World Market Inc. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 23.8% during the first quarter. Cibc World Market Inc. now owns 5,617 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $818,000 after acquiring an additional 1,081 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of AFG opened at $124.53 on Thursday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $105.22 and a 12 month high of $137.71. The firm has a fifty day simple moving average of $128.86 and a 200 day simple moving average of $119.70. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.39 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The insurance provider reported $2.84 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $2.81 by $0.03. American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.89% and a return on equity of 22.14%. The business had revenue of $1.73 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.67 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $2.99 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was up 6.7% on a year-over-year basis. Research analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.99 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, April 15th will be paid a $0.71 dividend. This represents a $2.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.28%. The ex-dividend date is Friday, April 12th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 28.26%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently issued reports on the stock. Citigroup increased their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $139.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Monday, March 25th. Piper Sandler restated a “neutral” rating and set a $129.00 target price on shares of American Financial Group in a report on Monday, April 1st. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $133.50.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total value of $135,455.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 10,583 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,511.85. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. In other American Financial Group news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,067 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 28th. The shares were sold at an average price of $126.95, for a total value of $135,455.65. Following the completion of the sale, the chief financial officer now owns 10,583 shares in the company, valued at $1,343,511.85. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director James E. Evans sold 2,274 shares of the stock in a transaction on Tuesday, March 12th. The shares were sold at an average price of $128.64, for a total transaction of $292,527.36. Following the completion of the sale, the director now owns 105,302 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $13,546,049.28. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold a total of 14,843 shares of company stock worth $1,854,746 over the last quarter. 14.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

American Financial Group Profile

American Financial Group, Inc, an insurance holding company, provides specialty property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company offers property and transportation insurance products, such as physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products, and other commercial property and specialty transportation coverages; specialty casualty insurance, including primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and specialty coverage in targeted markets, as well as customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers' compensation insurance; and specialty financial insurance products comprising risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions, fidelity and surety products, and trade credit insurance.