Franklin Resources Inc. Has $6.83 Million Stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Franklin Resources Inc. increased its stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 17.4% during the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 49,796 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 7,365 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. owned approximately 0.06% of American Financial Group worth $6,833,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 29.5% during the third quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 9,411 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,267,000 after acquiring an additional 2,144 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in American Financial Group by 10.2% during the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,553,207 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $208,699,000 after purchasing an additional 143,820 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC raised its stake in American Financial Group by 11.0% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 63,333 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $8,528,000 after purchasing an additional 6,272 shares during the period. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 7.6% in the third quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 35,248 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $4,744,000 after purchasing an additional 2,500 shares in the last quarter. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC boosted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 3.5% in the third quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 3,400 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $458,000 after buying an additional 116 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research firms recently weighed in on AFG. BMO Capital Markets upped their price target 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. Piper Sandler upped their target price on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Tuesday, November 12th.

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.2 %

Shares of NYSE AFG traded up $0.31 during mid-day trading on Monday, reaching $137.29. The company had a trading volume of 182,150 shares, compared to its average volume of 316,147. 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, Inc. has a twelve month low of $115.64 and a twelve month high of $150.19. The stock's 50 day moving average is $138.17 and its 200-day moving average is $132.59. The stock has a market capitalization of $11.52 billion, a PE ratio of 12.87 and a beta of 0.82.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.20). American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.84% and a return on equity of 19.97%. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $2.45 EPS. The business's revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.73 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a None dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 15th were paid a $4.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, November 15th. This is a boost from American Financial Group's previous None dividend of $1.00. American Financial Group's payout ratio is 29.99%.

American Financial Group 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.