Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank Boosts Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank increased its position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) by 28.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 16,193 shares of the insurance provider's stock after purchasing an additional 3,556 shares during the quarter. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank's holdings in American Financial Group were worth $2,217,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in American Financial Group by 86.8% during the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $47,000 after buying an additional 158 shares during the last quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in American Financial Group by 91.2% during the fourth quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 248 shares during the last quarter. Allworth Financial LP raised its stake in American Financial Group by 301.1% during the fourth quarter. Allworth Financial LP now owns 702 shares of the insurance provider's stock valued at $94,000 after buying an additional 527 shares during the last quarter. iA Global Asset Management Inc. purchased a new position in American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at $125,000. Finally, Brooklyn Investment Group purchased a new position in American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at $130,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company's stock.

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Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut American Financial Group from an "outperform" rating to a "market perform" rating and lowered their price objective for the company from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research note on Friday, February 7th.

American Financial Group Stock Down 0.1 %

Shares of AFG stock traded down $0.07 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $125.15. The company's stock had a trading volume of 518,318 shares, compared to its average volume of 320,183. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $118.97 and a 52-week high of $150.19. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $128.96 and a 200 day moving average price of $134.12. 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 stock has a market cap of $10.51 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.84 and a beta of 0.79.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.12 earnings per share 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%. Research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The firm 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 $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph acquired 3,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was bought at an average price of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at $6,954,717. The trade was a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The purchase was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company's stock.

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.