American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) Short Interest Update

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) was the recipient of a large increase in short interest in February. As of February 28th, there was short interest totalling 1,260,000 shares, an increase of 16.7% from the February 13th total of 1,080,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 420,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 3.0 days. Approximately 1.8% of the company’s stock are short sold.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of American Financial Group stock traded down $0.47 during trading hours on Wednesday, hitting $125.01. 589,660 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 319,596. The stock has a market capitalization of $10.50 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.83 and a beta of 0.79. American Financial Group has a 12-month low of $118.97 and a 12-month high of $150.19. 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 company has a fifty day simple moving average of $129.10 and a 200-day simple moving average of $134.18.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) 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 net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 20.30%. Equities research analysts anticipate that American Financial Group will post 10.5 EPS for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently declared a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th will be issued a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 30.27%.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In other news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on 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 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 acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 14.50% of the company’s stock.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. UMB Bank n.a. raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 86.8% in 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 period. Natixis purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC purchased a new stake in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth about $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp raised its stake in American Financial Group by 91.2% in the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after acquiring an additional 248 shares during the period. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. purchased a new stake in American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $73,000. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

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

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.