American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Receives $141.25 Average Price Target from Brokerages

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) has been given a consensus rating of “Hold” by the five analysts that are covering the firm, Marketbeat reports. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average 1-year target price among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is $141.25.

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on AFG shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded American Financial Group from a “buy (b-)” rating to a “hold (c+)” rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Wells Fargo & Company dropped their price target on shares of 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. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group restated a “hold” rating and issued a $142.00 price objective on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th.

Insider Activity

In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total value of $222,343.10. Following the sale, the chief financial officer directly owned 12,073 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,614,160.10. This trade represents a 12.11% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Corporate insiders own 17.40% of the company’s stock.

Institutional Trading of American Financial Group

Several hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Victory Capital Management Inc. increased its position in American Financial Group by 12.9% in the 3rd quarter. Victory Capital Management Inc. now owns 2,963,942 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $431,906,000 after buying an additional 337,573 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 2.3% in the fourth quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,567,721 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $350,956,000 after acquiring an additional 57,246 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,732,557 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $236,645,000 after acquiring an additional 29,731 shares during the last quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 12.3% in the fourth quarter. Dimensional Fund Advisors LP now owns 1,266,001 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $173,045,000 after acquiring an additional 138,483 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Northern Trust Corp increased its position in American Financial Group by 33.2% during the third quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 1,026,783 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $149,623,000 after acquiring an additional 255,693 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Stock Down 0.5%

AFG stock opened at $130.88 on Friday. The firm has a market cap of $10.90 billion, a PE ratio of 13.00 and a beta of 0.69. American Financial Group has a 1 year low of $114.73 and a 1 year high of $150.02. The company has a fifty day simple moving average of $131.29 and a 200 day simple moving average of $135.51. The company has a current ratio of 0.23, a quick ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.47. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.79 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.64% and a net margin of 10.30%.The business’s revenue was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the company earned $3.12 earnings per share. Sell-side analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

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

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.