Zacks Research Analysts Decrease Earnings Estimates for AFG

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Investment analysts at Zacks Research reduced their Q4 2026 EPS estimates for American Financial Group in a research report issued to clients and investors on Monday, February 16th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the insurance provider will earn $3.40 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $3.52. 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 FY2027 earnings at $11.57 EPS.

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

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

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.5%

Shares of AFG opened at $130.32 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $10.87 billion, a PE ratio of 12.94 and a beta of 0.71. The company has a quick ratio of 0.55, a current ratio of 0.55 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company’s fifty day moving average is $132.56 and its two-hundred day moving average is $135.27. American Financial Group has a fifty-two week low of $114.73 and a fifty-two week high of $150.02.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

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

Institutional Trading of American Financial Group

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of AFG. Hantz Financial Services Inc. grew its position 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 worth $25,000 after purchasing an additional 160 shares during the last quarter. Atlantic Union Bankshares Corp bought a new position in American Financial Group in the 2nd quarter worth approximately $27,000. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its position in 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 period. Alpine Bank Wealth Management acquired a new stake in American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $30,000. Finally, Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $34,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

More American Financial Group News

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

• Positive Sentiment: Compensation alignment: AFG’s Compensation Committee adopted a 2026 Executive Incentive Plan, which can strengthen pay-for-performance incentives and reassure investors about management alignment with shareholder returns. American Financial Group Adopts 2026 Executive Incentive Plan
• Positive Sentiment: Zacks raised its Q4 2027 EPS estimate to $4.05 (from $3.73), a signal that Zacks sees stronger late‑2027 results versus prior expectations — a potential tailwind for longer‑term sentiment.
• Neutral Sentiment: Zacks published FY2028 guidance of $11.32 EPS; this is a forward projection rather than a change to near‑term figures and primarily provides longer‑range context for valuation.
• Neutral Sentiment: Consensus reminder: the street consensus full‑year EPS remains around $10.50, which investors will watch against Zacks’ updated company‑specific forecasts.
• Negative Sentiment: Multiple near‑term cuts from Zacks: the firm lowered several 2026 and 2027 quarterly estimates (notably Q4 2026 to $3.40 from $3.52; Q1 2026 to $2.55 from $2.68; Q1 2027 to $2.41 from $2.71; Q2 2027 to $2.81 from $3.01) — these revisions reduce near‑term earnings expectations and can put downward pressure on the stock.
• Negative Sentiment: FY revisions lower outlook: Zacks trimmed FY2026 to $11.00 (from $11.32) and FY2027 to $11.57 (from $11.77). The downward drift in multi‑year forecasts increases uncertainty around AFG’s growth trajectory and could weigh on valuation multiples.

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.