Plato Investment Management Ltd Takes Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund acquired 2,925 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $402,000.

Other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 2.6% during the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 151,771 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $20,782,000 after purchasing an additional 3,911 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its stake in American Financial Group by 55.2% during the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd now owns 7,837 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,073,000 after buying an additional 2,789 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 78.3% in the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 333,078 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $44,832,000 after buying an additional 146,237 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its position in American Financial Group by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 49,796 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $6,833,000 after buying an additional 7,365 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Argent Capital Management LLC grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 9.8% during the fourth quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC now owns 31,362 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $4,294,000 after acquiring an additional 2,787 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

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American Financial Group Stock Down 0.7 %

American Financial Group stock traded down $0.86 during midday trading on Friday, hitting $127.12. The stock had a trading volume of 576,997 shares, compared to its average volume of 314,037. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $130.40 and a 200 day moving average price of $134.41. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $118.97 and a 12 month high of $150.19. The stock has a market cap of $10.68 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.03 and a beta of 0.79.

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

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be given a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research analysts recently commented on the company. Piper Sandler boosted their price target on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th. BMO Capital Markets upped their target price on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a "market perform" rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of American Financial Group from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and decreased their price target for the stock from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Friday, February 7th.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were acquired at an average price of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Company Profile

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.