Sims Investment Management LLC Acquires New Holdings in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Sims Investment Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor acquired 5,811 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $796,000. American Financial Group makes up about 0.5% of Sims Investment Management LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 22nd largest position.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. grew its position in American Financial Group by 2.6% in the fourth quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 151,771 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $20,782,000 after acquiring an additional 3,911 shares in the last quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd boosted its holdings in shares of 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 worth $1,073,000 after purchasing an additional 2,789 shares during the period. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 78.3% during the 3rd quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. now owns 333,078 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $44,832,000 after purchasing an additional 146,237 shares during the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 17.4% during the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 49,796 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $6,833,000 after buying an additional 7,365 shares during the period. Finally, Argent Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in American Financial Group by 9.8% during the 4th quarter. Argent Capital Management LLC now owns 31,362 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $4,294,000 after buying an additional 2,787 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

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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 on Thursday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average cost of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the acquisition, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares of the company's stock, valued at $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their position. The purchase was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. 14.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

American Financial Group Trading Up 0.8 %

AFG stock traded up $0.99 during midday trading on Wednesday, reaching $126.82. The company's stock had a trading volume of 368,724 shares, compared to its average volume of 311,623. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1 year low of $118.97 and a 1 year high of $150.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.65 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.00 and a beta of 0.83. The stock has a fifty day simple moving average of $130.80 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $134.48. 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 (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates 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 research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be paid a dividend of $2.00 per share. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is presently 30.27%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts have weighed in on AFG shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut shares of American Financial Group from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and cut their price objective for the company from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Friday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a "neutral" rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th.

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.