Unigestion Holding SA Takes $575,000 Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Unigestion Holding SA bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 4,200 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $575,000.

A number of other large investors have also made changes to their positions in the stock. Norges Bank acquired a new position in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter worth about $122,419,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp increased its stake in American Financial Group by 26.2% in the 4th quarter. Bank of New York Mellon Corp now owns 997,340 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $136,566,000 after purchasing an additional 207,285 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised its holdings in 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 during the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC boosted its position in American Financial Group by 10.2% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,553,207 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $208,699,000 after purchasing an additional 143,820 shares in the last quarter. Finally, State Street Corp grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 4.0% in the third quarter. State Street Corp now owns 2,693,356 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $362,526,000 after purchasing an additional 104,172 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Price Performance

NYSE:AFG traded up $0.88 during trading hours on Friday, reaching $125.82. 553,917 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 370,593. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a current ratio of 0.53 and a quick ratio of 0.53. The firm's 50-day moving average is $125.37 and its 200-day moving average is $132.94. The stock has a market cap of $10.53 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.90 and a beta of 0.59. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 1-year low of $114.73 and a 1-year high of $150.19.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings data 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%. Equities research 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 announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, April 15th. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.54%. American Financial Group's payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were acquired 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 in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. The trade was a 5.51 % increase in their position. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. 14.50% of the stock is currently owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday.

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.