MUFG Securities EMEA plc Purchases Shares of 25,000 American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG

MUFG Securities EMEA plc acquired a new stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 25,000 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $3,417,000.

A number of other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Global Retirement Partners LLC increased its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 904.8% in the fourth quarter. Global Retirement Partners LLC now owns 211 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $29,000 after buying an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 87.7% during the fourth quarter. Clearstead Advisors LLC now owns 259 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $35,000 after acquiring an additional 121 shares during the period. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 165.0% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 273 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $39,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the period. Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at $44,000. Finally, Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 332.9% in the third quarter. Bessemer Group Inc. now owns 368 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $54,000 after purchasing an additional 283 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG opened at $128.36 on Tuesday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $121.75 and a twelve month high of $150.02. The company has a current ratio of 0.48, a quick ratio of 0.48 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.39. The company has a market capitalization of $10.67 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.20 and a beta of 0.64. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $131.24 and a two-hundred day moving average of $132.35.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, April 30th. The insurance provider reported $2.47 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.54 by ($0.07). American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.76% and a return on equity of 19.50%. The business had revenue of $1.85 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.70 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.81 earnings per share. American Financial Group’s revenue was down .1% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 11.37 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, April 24th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, April 15th were issued a dividend of $0.88 per share. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.7%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, April 15th. American Financial Group’s payout ratio is presently 33.46%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AFG has been the subject of several research analyst reports. Wells Fargo & Company upped their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $155.00 to $158.00 and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a report on Wednesday, May 6th. Piper Sandler upped their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, May 26th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $134.00 to $140.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Wednesday, March 25th. Finally, Weiss Ratings raised shares of American Financial Group from a “hold (c+)” rating to a “buy (b-)” rating in a report on Monday, March 16th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Financial Group presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $145.00.

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.