American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) Given New $143.00 Price Target at BMO Capital Markets

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) had its price objective boosted by BMO Capital Markets from $135.00 to $143.00 in a research note published on Friday,Benzinga reports. They currently have a market perform rating on the insurance provider’s stock.

Separately, Piper Sandler raised their target price on American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

AFG traded down $0.18 during trading on Friday, reaching $137.82. 428,284 shares of the company’s stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 303,636. The company has a market capitalization of $11.57 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.92 and a beta of 0.79. The company has a quick ratio of 0.46, a current ratio of 0.53 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31. The business has a 50 day moving average price of $134.93 and a 200 day moving average price of $130.34. American Financial Group has a fifty-two week low of $108.39 and a fifty-two week high of $144.81.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last issued its earnings results on Tuesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.31 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate 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 business had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter last year, the firm posted $2.45 earnings per share. American Financial Group’s revenue was up 10.8% on a year-over-year basis. As a group, analysts predict that American Financial Group will post 10.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a None dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be paid a dividend of $4.00 per share. This is a boost from American Financial Group’s previous None dividend of $1.00. The ex-dividend date is Friday, November 15th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is currently 29.99%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of AFG. Innealta Capital LLC bought a new position in shares of American Financial Group in the second quarter valued at about $30,000. Headlands Technologies LLC acquired a new position in shares of American Financial Group during the second quarter valued at $38,000. Covestor Ltd boosted its holdings in American Financial Group by 402.3% in the first quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 432 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 346 shares during the last quarter. Blue Trust Inc. boosted its holdings in American Financial Group by 44.3% in the second quarter. Blue Trust Inc. now owns 433 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $59,000 after acquiring an additional 133 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Abich Financial Wealth Management LLC raised its holdings in 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 worth $72,000 after purchasing an additional 523 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 64.37% of the company’s stock.

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.