Fox Run Management L.L.C. Buys Shares of 2,821 American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Fox Run Management L.L.C. acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 2,821 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $386,000.

Other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of the company. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 7.3% in the third quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans now owns 16,952 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $2,282,000 after purchasing an additional 1,146 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 8.5% during the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 503,115 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $67,719,000 after purchasing an additional 39,623 shares in the last quarter. Citigroup Inc. grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 17.7% in the 3rd quarter. Citigroup Inc. now owns 84,910 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $11,429,000 after buying an additional 12,749 shares during the period. Cerity Partners LLC increased its position in American Financial Group by 17.0% in the 3rd quarter. Cerity Partners LLC now owns 5,365 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $722,000 after buying an additional 781 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Daiwa Securities Group Inc. raised its stake in American Financial Group by 12.3% during the 3rd quarter. Daiwa Securities Group Inc. now owns 5,474 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $737,000 after buying an additional 600 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

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Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at $6,954,717. This represents a 5.51 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered American Financial Group from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and lowered their target price for the stock from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Friday, February 7th.

American Financial Group Stock Up 1.8 %

AFG stock traded up $2.33 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $130.10. 624,233 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 356,797. The stock has a market cap of $10.93 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.31 and a beta of 0.79. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $118.97 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19. The firm's 50 day moving average price is $128.06 and its 200 day moving average price is $133.80. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 20.30%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th were issued a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.27%.

About American Financial Group

American Financial Group, Inc, an insurance holding company, provides specialty property and casualty insurance products in the United States. The company offers property and transportation insurance products, such as physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products, and other commercial property and specialty transportation coverages; specialty casualty insurance, including primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, and specialty coverage in targeted markets, as well as customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers' compensation insurance; and specialty financial insurance products comprising risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions, fidelity and surety products, and trade credit insurance.