Renaissance Technologies LLC Makes New $5.03 Million Investment in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Renaissance Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 36,700 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $5,025,000.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its stake in American Financial Group by 86.8% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 158 shares in the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 91.2% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 301.1% during the 4th quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 702 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 527 shares in the last quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC increased its stake in American Financial Group by 31.6% in the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $145,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares during the period. Finally, Nicolet Advisory Services LLC acquired a new position in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter worth about $212,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average cost of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this hyperlink. 17.40% of the stock is owned by corporate insiders.

American Financial Group Price Performance

NYSE:AFG opened at $128.03 on Monday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The firm has a market cap of $10.71 billion, a PE ratio of 12.11 and a beta of 0.59. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $114.73 and a 12 month high of $150.19. The company’s 50-day moving average price is $125.44 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $132.67.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. On average, equities analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.50%. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is 30.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered their price objective on American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th.

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.