Zacks Research Analysts Decrease Earnings Estimates for AFG

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) - Equities researchers at Zacks Research cut their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of American Financial Group in a report released on Wednesday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst T. De now anticipates that the insurance provider will post earnings of $2.83 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.84. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group's current full-year earnings is $10.50 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group's FY2026 earnings at $11.64 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $12.71 EPS.

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered shares of American Financial Group from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and decreased their target price for the stock from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Friday, February 7th.

American Financial Group Trading Up 0.2 %

Shares of American Financial Group stock traded up $0.23 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $128.15. 432,746 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 334,136. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.76 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.12 and a beta of 0.79. American Financial Group has a twelve month low of $118.97 and a twelve month high of $150.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $128.65 and a 200 day simple moving average of $133.97.

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American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued 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 net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 20.30%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

A number of hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AFG. Intech Investment Management LLC raised its position in shares of 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 worth $5,289,000 after buying an additional 14,045 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. raised its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 2.6% in the 4th quarter. Sumitomo Mitsui Trust Group Inc. now owns 151,771 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $20,782,000 after purchasing an additional 3,911 shares during the period. Sumitomo Mitsui DS Asset Management Company Ltd lifted its stake 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 valued at $1,073,000 after purchasing an additional 2,789 shares in the last quarter. JPMorgan Chase & Co. grew its holdings 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 worth $44,832,000 after purchasing an additional 146,237 shares during the period. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. increased its position 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 worth $6,833,000 after purchasing an additional 7,365 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 64.37% of the company's stock.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was purchased at an average cost of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the acquisition, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed 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 currently 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.