ProShare Advisors LLC Boosts Stock Holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG

ProShare Advisors LLC raised its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 8.0% in the 3rd quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 278,279 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 20,554 shares during the period. ProShare Advisors LLC’s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $40,551,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 4.1% during the 3rd quarter. Linden Thomas Advisory Services LLC now owns 10,953 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,596,000 after buying an additional 433 shares during the last quarter. Slagle Financial LLC raised its stake in American Financial Group by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. Slagle Financial LLC now owns 14,655 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $2,136,000 after acquiring an additional 489 shares during the period. Lowe Brockenbrough & Co. Inc. purchased a new stake in American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at about $204,000. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC boosted its position in American Financial Group by 165.0% during the third quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 273 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $39,000 after purchasing an additional 170 shares during the period. Finally, Ironwood Investment Counsel LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group during the third quarter worth about $201,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Financial Group Trading Down 1.1%

Shares of AFG stock opened at $129.60 on Tuesday. The company has a market capitalization of $10.81 billion, a PE ratio of 12.87 and a beta of 0.71. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $114.73 and a 52-week high of $150.02. The business’s fifty day moving average is $133.13 and its 200 day moving average is $135.15. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38, a quick ratio of 0.55 and a current ratio of 0.55.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $3.18 by $0.47. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 18.92% and a net margin of 10.30%.The business had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.79 billion. During the same period in the previous year, the business earned $3.12 earnings per share. The firm’s revenue was down 4.0% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

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

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of analysts recently commented on the stock. Weiss Ratings cut shares of 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 target price on 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. Piper Sandler raised their price target on American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reiterated a “hold” rating and set a $142.00 price objective on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued a Hold rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $141.25.

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.