Brokerages Set American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Price Target at $141.25

Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) have received a consensus recommendation of “Hold” from the five brokerages that are covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has issued a buy rating on the company. The average 12 month target price among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is $141.25.

Several equities research analysts have weighed in on the company. Piper Sandler raised their price target on American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Wells Fargo & Company decreased their target price on American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. Weiss Ratings lowered shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Hantz Financial Services Inc. increased its position in American Financial Group by 421.1% during the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 198 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the period. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp purchased a new position in American Financial Group in the second quarter worth $27,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 904.8% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 211 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after acquiring an additional 190 shares during the period. Alpine Bank Wealth Management purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $30,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter worth $34,000. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE AFG opened at $128.96 on Monday. American Financial Group has a 12-month low of $114.73 and a 12-month high of $150.02. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.81 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a current ratio of 0.55, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The firm’s 50-day moving average price is $133.00 and its 200-day moving average price is $135.13.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.47. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.92% and a net margin of 10.30%.The business had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.79 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $3.12 earnings per share. The business’s revenue was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Shareholders of record on Monday, February 16th will be paid a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, February 13th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 34.96%.

About American Financial Group

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.