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

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) was the target of a large growth in short interest in March. As of March 31st, there was short interest totalling 1,610,000 shares, a growth of 22.0% from the March 15th total of 1,320,000 shares. Based on an average daily volume of 562,300 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is currently 2.9 days. Approximately 2.3% of the company’s stock are short sold.

Insider Buying and Selling at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, February 20th. The stock was acquired at an average price of $121.00 per share, for a total transaction of $363,000.00. Following the purchase, the director now owns 57,477 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

A number of large investors have recently modified their holdings of the company. MML Investors Services LLC boosted its holdings in American Financial Group by 3.5% in the 3rd quarter. MML Investors Services LLC now owns 3,400 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $458,000 after purchasing an additional 116 shares during the period. Barclays PLC raised its position in American Financial Group by 11.0% during the third quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 63,333 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $8,528,000 after purchasing an additional 6,272 shares in the last quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. boosted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 17.4% in the 3rd quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 49,796 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $6,833,000 after purchasing an additional 7,365 shares in the last quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama increased its position in shares of American Financial Group by 1.0% during the 3rd quarter. Retirement Systems of Alabama now owns 171,354 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $23,064,000 after purchasing an additional 1,714 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Lord Abbett & CO. LLC raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 0.4% during the third quarter. Lord Abbett & CO. LLC now owns 399,177 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $53,729,000 after acquiring an additional 1,563 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:AFG traded down $2.48 during midday trading on Monday, reaching $125.49. The company had a trading volume of 307,292 shares, compared to its average volume of 373,336. American Financial Group has a 52-week low of $114.73 and a 52-week high of $150.19. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $125.44 and its 200 day moving average price is $132.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.53, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The stock has a market cap of $10.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.87 and a beta of 0.59.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last announced its quarterly earnings data 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%. As a group, sell-side 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 quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, April 25th. Stockholders of record on Tuesday, April 15th will be given a dividend of $0.80 per share. This represents a $3.20 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.55%. The ex-dividend date is Tuesday, April 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.27%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their price target on shares of American Financial Group from $144.00 to $126.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 9th.

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.