American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Shares Sold by New York State Teachers Retirement System

New York State Teachers Retirement System lessened its holdings in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 6.2% in the third quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 74,124 shares of the insurance provider's stock after selling 4,933 shares during the quarter. New York State Teachers Retirement System owned 0.09% of American Financial Group worth $9,977,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of AFG. FCG Investment Co bought a new position in American Financial Group during the 3rd quarter valued at $1,058,000. Custom Index Systems LLC raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 69.3% in the 3rd quarter. Custom Index Systems LLC now owns 9,391 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $1,264,000 after purchasing an additional 3,844 shares in the last quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue lifted its position in shares of American Financial Group by 16.6% during the third quarter. State of Alaska Department of Revenue now owns 9,218 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,240,000 after purchasing an additional 1,315 shares during the last quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC grew its stake in American Financial Group by 4.2% in the third quarter. Frank Rimerman Advisors LLC now owns 10,196 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $1,372,000 after purchasing an additional 411 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC increased its holdings in American Financial Group by 16.7% in the third quarter. Wealth Enhancement Advisory Services LLC now owns 6,074 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $818,000 after buying an additional 868 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, BMO Capital Markets increased their target price on American Financial Group from $132.00 to $135.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a report on Tuesday, October 8th.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of American Financial Group stock traded down $0.90 on Monday, reaching $126.81. 293,475 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 300,413. The firm has a market cap of $10.64 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.98 and a beta of 0.79. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $107.11 and a 1-year high of $138.81. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34, a quick ratio of 0.46 and a current ratio of 0.46. The company's 50-day moving average is $134.09 and its two-hundred day moving average is $129.75.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Tuesday, August 6th. The insurance provider reported $2.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $2.45 by $0.11. The company had revenue of $1.90 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $1.72 billion. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 21.16% and a net margin of 11.06%. The firm's quarterly revenue was up 3.3% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same period last year, the business posted $2.38 earnings per share. As a group, research analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.98 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th were given a $0.80 dividend. This is a boost from American Financial Group's previous quarterly dividend of $0.71. The ex-dividend date was Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.52%. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is 30.19%.

American Financial Group Company 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.