Zacks Research Issues Pessimistic Outlook for AFG Earnings

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Analysts at Zacks Research cut their Q2 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for American Financial Group in a research note issued on Wednesday, March 19th. Zacks Research analyst T. De now forecasts that the insurance provider will earn $2.83 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $2.84. The consensus estimate for American Financial Group’s current full-year earnings is $10.50 per share. Zacks Research also issued estimates for American Financial Group’s FY2026 earnings at $11.64 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $12.71 EPS.

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 analysts’ consensus estimates of $3.15 by ($0.03). American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.66% and a return on equity of 20.30%.

Separately, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods downgraded shares of American Financial Group from an “outperform” rating to a “market perform” rating and reduced their target price for the company from $164.00 to $144.00 in a research report on Friday, February 7th.

American Financial Group Price Performance

AFG opened at $125.03 on Friday. American Financial Group has a fifty-two week low of $118.97 and a fifty-two week high of $150.19. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $128.72 and a 200 day moving average of $134.00. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, a quick ratio of 0.53 and a current ratio of 0.53. The firm has a market cap of $10.50 billion, a P/E ratio of 11.83 and a beta of 0.79.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of AFG. UMB Bank n.a. boosted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 86.8% in the fourth quarter. UMB Bank n.a. now owns 340 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $47,000 after acquiring an additional 158 shares during the period. Natixis purchased a new stake in American Financial Group during the 4th quarter worth about $47,000. Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in American Financial Group in the 4th quarter worth about $53,000. Jones Financial Companies Lllp grew its holdings in American Financial Group by 91.2% during the 4th quarter. Jones Financial Companies Lllp now owns 520 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $71,000 after buying an additional 248 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Measured Risk Portfolios Inc. bought a new stake in shares of American Financial Group during the fourth quarter valued at about $73,000. 64.37% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Activity at American Financial Group

In other American Financial Group news, Director Gregory G. Joseph purchased 3,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Thursday, February 20th. The shares were bought at an average price of $121.00 per share, with a total value of $363,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now directly owns 57,477 shares in the company, valued at approximately $6,954,717. This trade represents a 5.51 % increase in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. 14.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The company also recently disclosed a special dividend, which will be paid on Friday, March 28th. Investors of record on Monday, March 17th will be issued a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, March 17th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.27%.

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.