Sims Investment Management LLC Takes Position in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG)

Sims Investment Management LLC bought a new stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor bought 5,811 shares of the insurance provider’s stock, valued at approximately $796,000. American Financial Group comprises about 0.5% of Sims Investment Management LLC’s holdings, making the stock its 22nd biggest position.

Other hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. UMB Bank n.a. grew its stake in shares of 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. Allworth Financial LP grew its stake in shares of 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. bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $125,000. Brooklyn Investment Group bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $130,000. Finally, GAMMA Investing LLC grew its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 31.6% during the fourth quarter. GAMMA Investing LLC now owns 1,059 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $145,000 after buying an additional 254 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

American Financial Group Stock Up 0.8 %

Shares of NYSE:AFG opened at $126.24 on Friday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52-week low of $118.97 and a 52-week high of $150.19. The stock has a market cap of $10.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.94 and a beta of 0.83. The business’s 50 day moving average is $131.67 and its 200 day moving average is $134.44. The company has a quick ratio of 0.53, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced 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 return on equity of 20.30% and a net margin of 10.66%. Sell-side analysts predict that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Shareholders of record on Monday, March 17th will be issued a dividend of $2.00 per share. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 30.27%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts have recently commented on the company. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut American Financial Group from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and cut their target price for the company from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research note on Friday, February 7th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a research note on Friday, November 15th. Finally, Piper Sandler increased their price objective on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 12th.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph bought 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction 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 acquisition, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The acquisition was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. 14.50% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.