Q1 EPS Estimate for American Financial Group Cut by Analyst

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research lowered their Q1 2026 earnings per share estimates for American Financial Group in a research note issued to investors on Monday, February 16th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the insurance provider will post earnings of $2.55 per share for the quarter, down from their previous estimate of $2.68. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group’s current full-year earnings is $10.50 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group’s Q2 2026 earnings at $2.45 EPS, Q3 2026 earnings at $2.61 EPS, FY2026 earnings at $11.00 EPS, Q1 2027 earnings at $2.41 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.81 EPS, Q3 2027 earnings at $2.30 EPS, Q4 2027 earnings at $4.05 EPS and FY2028 earnings at $11.32 EPS.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.47. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.79 billion. American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.30% and a return on equity of 18.92%. The business’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $3.12 earnings per share.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued research reports about the company. Weiss Ratings cut American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued a “hold” rating and set a $142.00 target price on shares of American Financial Group in a research report on Tuesday, November 11th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research note on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price objective on American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have assigned a Hold rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $141.25.

American Financial Group Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of American Financial Group stock opened at $129.63 on Wednesday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.55. The company has a fifty day moving average of $132.67 and a 200 day moving average of $135.31. American Financial Group has a fifty-two week low of $114.73 and a fifty-two week high of $150.02. The company has a market capitalization of $10.81 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.87 and a beta of 0.71.

Institutional Trading of American Financial Group

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Hantz Financial Services Inc. raised its stake in American Financial Group by 421.1% in the 2nd quarter. Hantz Financial Services Inc. now owns 198 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new stake in shares of American Financial Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $27,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 904.8% in the 4th 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 last quarter. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new stake in American Financial Group during the third quarter worth about $30,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC acquired a new stake in American Financial Group in the third quarter worth $34,000. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

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

Key Stories Impacting American Financial Group

Here are the key news stories impacting American Financial Group this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Compensation committee adopted a 2026 Executive Incentive Plan aimed at aligning pay with performance and retaining executives; investors typically view such plans as supportive of long‑term shareholder alignment. American Financial Group Adopts 2026 Executive Incentive Plan
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks issued one upward revision: Q4 2027 EPS was raised to $4.05 from $3.73, a late‑year beat expectation that could lift longer‑term earnings visibility if sustained.
• Neutral Sentiment: Management will participate in the 2026 AIFA conference, giving investors a chance for updated commentary on underwriting, reserve levels and capital deployment; useful for longer‑term tone but not an immediate earnings change. American Financial Group, Inc. Management to Participate in the 2026 Association of Insurance and Financial Analysts (AIFA) Conference
• Negative Sentiment: Zacks cut multiple near‑term EPS estimates and trimmed FY2026 — notable revisions include Q1 2026 down to $2.55 (from $2.68), Q2 2026 to $2.45 (from $2.46), Q3 2026 to $2.61 (from $2.66), Q1–Q3 2027 trims (including Q1 2027 to $2.41 from $2.71 and Q2 2027 to $2.81 from $3.01) and a FY2026 reduction to $11.00 (from $11.32). The broad set of downgrades increases near‑term earnings uncertainty and is the primary negative driver for the stock today.

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.