Geode Capital Management LLC Has $218.15 Million Holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Geode Capital Management LLC increased its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 2.7% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 1,595,346 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 42,139 shares during the quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC owned approximately 1.90% of American Financial Group worth $218,146,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. UMB Bank n.a. increased its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 86.8% during the 4th quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $47,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp lifted its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 91.2% in the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $71,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 301.1% in the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 702 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $94,000 after acquiring an additional 527 shares in the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. acquired a new position in American Financial Group in the third quarter worth about $125,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC raised its position in shares of American Financial Group by 31.6% during the 4th quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $145,000 after acquiring an additional 254 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price 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.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In related 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 price of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at $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. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AFG traded down $1.48 during trading on Thursday, reaching $123.79. The company had a trading volume of 84,813 shares, compared to its average volume of 545,839. American Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $114.73 and a twelve month high of $150.19. 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 firm has a market capitalization of $10.40 billion, a PE ratio of 11.71 and a beta of 0.59. The firm's fifty day moving average is $125.82 and its 200 day moving average is $133.09.

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 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%. On average, equities analysts forecast that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Investors of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.59%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is 30.27%.

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.