American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Short Interest Update

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,610,000 shares, a growth of 22.0% from the March 15th total of 1,320,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 562,300 shares, the short-interest ratio is presently 2.9 days. Currently, 2.3% of the company's stock are sold short.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were purchased at an average cost of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the purchase, the director now owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This 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 can be accessed through this link. Insiders own 17.40% of the company's stock.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several institutional investors have recently made changes to their positions in the company. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 86.8% in the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $47,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Natixis purchased a new stake in shares of American Financial Group in the fourth quarter worth $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth about $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp boosted its stake in American Financial Group by 91.2% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $71,000 after purchasing an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new stake in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter valued at about $73,000. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

AFG traded down $1.07 during trading on Wednesday, reaching $128.48. The stock had a trading volume of 331,029 shares, compared to its average volume of 373,086. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.53. The business has a 50-day moving average of $125.55 and a 200-day moving average of $132.56. American Financial Group has a one year low of $114.73 and a one year high of $150.19. The stock has a market cap of $10.75 billion, a PE ratio of 12.16 and a beta of 0.59.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) 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%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be issued a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.49%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.27%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price objective on American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, April 9th.

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.