American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) Hits New 1-Year High – Still a Buy?

Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) reached a new 52-week high on Wednesday . The company traded as high as $140.00 and last traded at $140.00, with a volume of 1399 shares changing hands. The stock had previously closed at $127.44.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of 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 Up 5.0 %

The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $133.93 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $129.75. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.46 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.34. The firm has a market cap of $11.23 billion, a PE ratio of 12.40 and a beta of 0.79.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.31 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $2.51 by ($0.20). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 21.16% and a net margin of 11.06%. The firm had revenue of $2.06 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $2.45 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. Analysts expect that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.98 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, October 25th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, October 15th were paid a dividend of $0.80 per share. This is a boost from American Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.71. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, October 15th. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.39%. American Financial Group’s payout ratio is presently 30.19%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Several hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new stake in American Financial Group in the 2nd quarter worth about $30,000. Headlands Technologies LLC purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the second quarter worth approximately $38,000. Covestor Ltd grew its position in American Financial Group by 402.3% in the 1st quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 432 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $59,000 after purchasing an additional 346 shares during the period. Blue Trust Inc. raised its stake in American Financial Group by 44.3% during the 2nd quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 433 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $59,000 after buying an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 10,460.0% during the 1st quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 528 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $72,000 after buying an additional 523 shares during the period. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

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.