APG Asset Management N.V. Purchases New Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

APG Asset Management N.V. acquired a new position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 38,900 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $5,144,000.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AFG. Intech Investment Management LLC grew its position in American Financial Group by 57.1% in the 4th quarter. Intech Investment Management LLC now owns 38,623 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $5,289,000 after acquiring an additional 14,045 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. increased its stake in American Financial Group by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 151,771 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $20,782,000 after buying an additional 3,911 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its holdings 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 valued at $1,073,000 after buying an additional 2,789 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. boosted its position 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 valued at $44,832,000 after buying an additional 146,237 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 17.4% during the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 49,796 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $6,833,000 after acquiring an additional 7,365 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Stock Up 1.0 %

American Financial Group stock traded up $1.31 during midday trading on Thursday, hitting $128.70. 95,253 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 370,626. 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 company has a market cap of $10.77 billion, a PE ratio of 12.16 and a beta of 0.59. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $125.39 and a two-hundred day moving average of $132.80. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 12 month low of $114.73 and a 12 month high of $150.19.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share (EPS) 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, analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared 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. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.49%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The stock was 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 trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price objective on American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock 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.