Franklin Resources Inc. Has $4.88 Million Holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Franklin Resources Inc. trimmed its position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 28.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 35,663 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 14,133 shares during the quarter. Franklin Resources Inc.'s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $4,883,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other hedge funds also recently modified their holdings of AFG. Intech Investment Management LLC raised 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 purchasing an additional 14,045 shares during the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. lifted its position in American Financial Group by 2.6% during 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 in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd increased its position in American Financial Group by 55.2% in 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 acquiring an additional 2,789 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 78.3% during the third quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 333,078 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $44,832,000 after purchasing an additional 146,237 shares in 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 purchasing an additional 2,787 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Trading Up 1.0 %

NYSE AFG traded up $1.31 on Wednesday, reaching $128.35. The company had a trading volume of 23,176 shares, compared to its average volume of 370,235. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $114.73 and a 52 week high of $150.19. The stock has a market cap of $10.74 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.14 and a beta of 0.59. The stock's 50 day moving average is $125.37 and its 200-day moving average is $132.83.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last announced 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%. Equities analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend 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 Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were purchased at an average price of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $6,954,717. The trade was a 5.51 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. Insiders own 17.40% of the company's stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased 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 report 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.