Argent Capital Management LLC Buys 2,787 Shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Argent Capital Management LLC increased its stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 9.8% during the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 31,362 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 2,787 shares during the period. Argent Capital Management LLC’s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $4,294,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other institutional investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Headlands Technologies LLC bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the second quarter worth approximately $38,000. Acadian Asset Management LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $85,000. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC grew its position in American Financial Group by 35.6% during the second quarter. Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC now owns 716 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $88,000 after acquiring an additional 188 shares during the last quarter. Point72 Hong Kong Ltd bought a new position in American Financial Group during the second quarter valued at approximately $99,000. Finally, Moisand Fitzgerald Tamayo LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $111,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

AFG has been the topic of a number of recent research reports. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $143.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $165.00 to $164.00 and set an “outperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, January 10th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

NYSE:AFG opened at $136.24 on Thursday. The firm has a market cap of $11.43 billion, a PE ratio of 12.77 and a beta of 0.83. American Financial Group, Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $115.64 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19. 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 business has a 50 day moving average price of $139.26 and a 200-day moving average price of $133.63.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last released its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.20). American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.84% and a return on equity of 19.97%. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $1.80 billion. During the same period last year, the company posted $2.45 EPS. The business’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year. Equities research analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.74 earnings per share for the current year.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, January 24th. Investors of record on Tuesday, January 14th will be paid a $0.80 dividend. This represents a $3.20 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.35%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, January 14th. American Financial Group’s payout ratio is 29.99%.

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.