Allstate Corp Makes New Investment in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Allstate Corp 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 13F filing with the SEC. The fund acquired 2,814 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $385,000.

Several other large investors have also modified their holdings of AFG. Orion Portfolio Solutions LLC purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the fourth quarter valued at $236,000. Slagle Financial LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 4.4% in the 4th quarter. Slagle Financial LLC now owns 13,133 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,798,000 after purchasing an additional 557 shares during the last quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 4.1% in the 4th quarter. Pictet Asset Management Holding SA now owns 47,989 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $6,571,000 after purchasing an additional 1,874 shares during the period. New Age Alpha Advisors LLC purchased a new position in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth approximately $6,751,000. Finally, Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth approximately $122,419,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

American Financial Group stock traded down $4.96 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $116.85. 731,664 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 364,704. The firm's 50-day simple moving average is $127.11 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $133.46. American Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $114.90 and a twelve month high of $150.19. The firm has a market cap of $9.81 billion, a PE ratio of 11.05 and a beta of 0.59. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.53.

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

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.74%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's payout ratio is 30.27%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were bought 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 of the company's stock, valued at $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

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.