Boston Trust Walden Corp Has $73.28 Million Position in American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG

Boston Trust Walden Corp boosted its stake in shares of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) by 15.4% during the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 580,638 shares of the insurance provider’s stock after buying an additional 77,417 shares during the quarter. Boston Trust Walden Corp’s holdings in American Financial Group were worth $73,282,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also recently bought and sold shares of AFG. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 395.5% during the 1st quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 2,520,714 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $331,071,000 after buying an additional 2,012,027 shares during the period. AQR Capital Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 240.0% during the 1st quarter. AQR Capital Management LLC now owns 585,841 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $76,821,000 after buying an additional 413,516 shares during the period. Nuveen LLC acquired a new position in American Financial Group during the 1st quarter worth about $30,442,000. Millennium Management LLC lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 166.7% during the 1st quarter. Millennium Management LLC now owns 280,012 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $36,777,000 after buying an additional 175,015 shares during the period. Finally, Ameriprise Financial Inc. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 112.5% during the 1st quarter. Ameriprise Financial Inc. now owns 327,621 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $43,030,000 after buying an additional 173,452 shares during the period. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of NYSE AFG opened at $138.49 on Tuesday. American Financial Group, Inc. has a twelve month low of $114.73 and a twelve month high of $150.19. The company has a quick ratio of 0.47, a current ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $138.05 and its 200-day moving average price is $129.79. The company has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a PE ratio of 15.22 and a beta of 0.74.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, August 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.14 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $2.08 by $0.06. American Financial Group had a return on equity of 17.41% and a net margin of 9.21%.The business had revenue of $1.65 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.77 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $2.56 earnings per share. American Financial Group’s revenue for the quarter was up 1.3% on a year-over-year basis. On average, equities analysts anticipate that American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 EPS for the current year.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, October 24th. Investors of record on Wednesday, October 15th will be paid a $0.88 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, October 15th. This is a positive change from American Financial Group’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.80. This represents a $3.52 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.5%. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 35.16%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Stephen Craig Lindner, Jr. sold 10,000 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 21st. The stock was sold at an average price of $134.31, for a total value of $1,343,100.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 326,730 shares in the company, valued at approximately $43,883,106.30. This represents a 2.97% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Insiders own 17.40% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several research analysts have recently weighed in on AFG shares. Weiss Ratings reissued a “hold (c+)” rating on shares of American Financial Group in a research report on Wednesday, October 8th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their target price on American Financial Group from $125.00 to $130.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Monday, August 11th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their price objective on American Financial Group from $127.00 to $124.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a report on Tuesday, August 12th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded American Financial Group from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Saturday, September 13th. Five investment analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $136.75.

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.