Zacks Research Issues Optimistic Outlook for AFG Earnings

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Stock analysts at Zacks Research raised their Q4 2024 EPS estimates for shares of American Financial Group in a note issued to investors on Tuesday, November 19th. Zacks Research analyst T. De now expects that the insurance provider will post earnings of $3.19 per share for the quarter, up from their previous estimate of $3.09. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group’s current full-year earnings is $10.73 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group’s Q1 2025 earnings at $2.95 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $3.32 EPS, FY2025 earnings at $11.69 EPS, Q1 2026 earnings at $3.24 EPS, Q2 2026 earnings at $3.43 EPS and FY2026 earnings at $12.63 EPS.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on AFG. Piper Sandler boosted their target price on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $150.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, November 12th. BMO Capital Markets boosted their price objective on shares of American Financial Group from $135.00 to $143.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Friday, November 15th.

American Financial Group Stock Performance

American Financial Group stock opened at $146.47 on Friday. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.53. American Financial Group has a one year low of $110.53 and a one year high of $147.01. The stock’s 50 day moving average price is $135.68 and its 200 day moving average price is $130.81. The firm has a market capitalization of $12.29 billion, a PE ratio of 13.73 and a beta of 0.79.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.31 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.51 by ($0.20). American Financial Group had a return on equity of 19.97% and a net margin of 10.84%. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $1.80 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.45 EPS. The company’s revenue for the quarter was up 10.8% compared to the same quarter last year.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Hedge funds have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. Toronto Dominion Bank raised its stake in shares of American Financial Group by 29.5% in the 3rd quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 9,411 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,267,000 after purchasing an additional 2,144 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its stake in American Financial Group by 10.2% during the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 1,553,207 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $208,699,000 after buying an additional 143,820 shares in the last quarter. Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 11.0% during the 3rd quarter. Barclays PLC now owns 63,333 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $8,528,000 after buying an additional 6,272 shares during the last quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 7.6% during the 3rd quarter. Nomura Asset Management Co. Ltd. now owns 35,248 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $4,744,000 after buying an additional 2,500 shares during the last quarter. Finally, MML Investors Services LLC grew its position in shares of 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 worth $458,000 after acquiring an additional 116 shares in the last quarter. 64.37% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

American Financial Group Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a None dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, November 26th. Stockholders of record on Friday, November 15th will be given a dividend of $4.00 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, November 15th. This is an increase from American Financial Group’s previous None dividend of $1.00. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 29.99%.

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.