Zacks Research Has Negative Forecast for AFG Q1 Earnings

American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG) – Analysts at Zacks Research dropped their Q1 2026 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for American Financial Group in a research note issued to investors on Tuesday, November 18th. Zacks Research analyst Team now forecasts that the insurance provider will post earnings per share of $2.71 for the quarter, down from their prior estimate of $2.78. 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 Q2 2026 earnings at $2.48 EPS and FY2027 earnings at $11.76 EPS.

Other research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of American Financial Group in a research report on Thursday, November 13th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods dropped their target price on American Financial Group from $127.00 to $124.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 12th. Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating and set a $142.00 price target on shares of American Financial Group in a research note on Tuesday, November 11th. Piper Sandler lifted their price objective on American Financial Group from $130.00 to $139.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 6th. Finally, Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of American Financial Group from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Saturday, September 13th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating and three have given a Hold rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $135.00.

American Financial Group Price Performance

Shares of AFG stock opened at $138.53 on Wednesday. American Financial Group has a 1 year low of $114.73 and a 1 year high of $150.19. The company has a current ratio of 0.47, a quick ratio of 0.47 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33. The firm’s 50 day moving average is $139.12 and its 200-day moving average is $131.48. The firm has a market capitalization of $11.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.22 and a beta of 0.78.

American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 5th. The insurance provider reported $2.69 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $2.35 by $0.34. The firm had revenue of $2.33 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $2.02 billion. American Financial Group had a net margin of 9.21% and a return on equity of 17.41%. The company’s revenue was up 13.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $2.31 EPS.

American Financial Group Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a special dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, November 26th. Shareholders of record on Monday, November 17th will be paid a $2.00 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Monday, November 17th. American Financial Group’s dividend payout ratio is presently 36.97%.

Insider Transactions at American Financial Group

In related news, Director Stephen Craig Lindner, Jr. sold 10,000 shares of American Financial Group stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, August 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of $134.31, for a total transaction of $1,343,100.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 326,730 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $43,883,106.30. This trade represents a 2.97% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,777 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $142.51, for a total transaction of $253,240.27. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer owned 11,300 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $1,610,363. This represents a 13.59% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On American Financial Group

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in AFG. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. lifted its holdings in American Financial Group by 10.8% during the first quarter. Envestnet Asset Management Inc. now owns 59,633 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $7,832,000 after acquiring an additional 5,799 shares in the last quarter. CWM LLC raised its position in shares of American Financial Group by 297.3% during the first quarter. CWM LLC now owns 5,407 shares of the insurance provider’s stock worth $710,000 after purchasing an additional 4,046 shares during the period. Allianz Asset Management GmbH lifted its holdings in shares of American Financial Group by 5.9% during the 1st quarter. Allianz Asset Management GmbH now owns 277,454 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $36,441,000 after purchasing an additional 15,440 shares in the last quarter. Burney Co. grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 1.3% in the 1st quarter. Burney Co. now owns 30,475 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $4,003,000 after purchasing an additional 385 shares during the period. Finally, Cetera Investment Advisers grew its position in shares of American Financial Group by 153.1% in the 1st quarter. Cetera Investment Advisers now owns 11,925 shares of the insurance provider’s stock valued at $1,566,000 after purchasing an additional 7,214 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds 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.