Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for AFG Earnings

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Equities research analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q3 2026 EPS estimates for American Financial Group in a research report issued on Sunday, March 1st. Zacks Research analyst Team now expects that the insurance provider will post earnings per share of $2.60 for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.61. 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 Q4 2026 earnings at $3.37 EPS, Q2 2027 earnings at $2.69 EPS and Q4 2027 earnings at $4.11 EPS.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last issued its 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. American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.30% and a return on equity of 18.64%. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.79 billion. During the same period in the prior year, the business posted $3.12 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on AFG. Jefferies Financial Group reiterated 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 boosted their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Weiss Ratings downgraded shares of American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a report on Monday, January 12th. Finally, Wells Fargo & Company cut their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an “overweight” rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, February 5th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Financial Group currently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $141.25.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

AFG opened at $132.82 on Wednesday. The stock has a market cap of $11.06 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.19 and a beta of 0.69. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a current ratio of 0.23 and a quick ratio of 0.23. The stock’s 50 day simple moving average is $131.56 and its 200 day simple moving average is $135.50. American Financial Group has a 1-year low of $114.73 and a 1-year high of $150.02.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

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

Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total transaction of $222,343.10. Following the sale, the chief financial officer owned 12,073 shares in the company, valued at $1,614,160.10. This trade represents a 12.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in AFG. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd boosted its stake in American Financial Group by 334.9% in the 4th quarter. Caitong International Asset Management Co. Ltd now owns 474 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $65,000 after buying an additional 365 shares during the last quarter. EP Wealth Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $373,000. Millennium Management LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 194.9% in the fourth quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 253,932 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $34,707,000 after acquiring an additional 167,834 shares during the last quarter. Man Group plc grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 0.4% in the fourth quarter. Man Group plc now owns 199,354 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $27,248,000 after purchasing an additional 826 shares during the period. Finally, Investment Management Corp of Ontario grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 43.9% in the fourth quarter. Investment Management Corp of Ontario now owns 4,520 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $618,000 after purchasing an additional 1,380 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

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.