<div id="readability-page-1"><p>M Holdings Securities Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of  American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report) in the third quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm acquired 13,915 shares of the insurance provider's stock, valued at approximately $2,028,000.</p><ul><li>Don't Overlook Hidden Gem Kinsale As Rallies To New Highs</li></ul><p>Several other large investors have also bought and sold shares of AFG. Alpine Bank Wealth Management bought a new position in shares of  American Financial Group in the third quarter worth approximately $30,000.  Root Financial Partners LLC bought a new stake in shares of  American Financial Group during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000.  Smartleaf Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in  American Financial Group by 165.0% in the 3rd quarter. Smartleaf Asset Management LLC now owns 273 shares of the insurance provider's stock worth $39,000 after acquiring an additional 170 shares during the last quarter.  Aster Capital Management DIFC Ltd purchased a new position in  American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter worth approximately $44,000.  Finally, Quent Capital LLC bought a new position in  American Financial Group in the 3rd quarter valued at approximately $46,000. 64.37% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors. </p><h2>Insider Activity</h2><p>In other news, CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, February 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $133.70, for a total value of $222,343.10. Following the transaction, the chief financial officer directly owned 12,073 shares in the company, valued at $1,614,160.10. This trade represents a 12.11% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at this link. 17.40% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders. </p><h2>American Financial Group Stock Performance</h2><p>Shares of AFG stock opened at $128.12 on Friday. The company has a quick ratio of 0.23, a current ratio of 0.23 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.38. The company has a 50 day moving average price of $130.45 and a 200-day moving average price of $135.29. American Financial Group, Inc. has a 52 week low of $114.73 and a 52 week high of $150.02. The firm has a market capitalization of $10.67 billion, a PE ratio of 12.72 and a beta of 0.69. </p><p>American Financial Group (NYSE:AFG - Get Free Report) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 4th. The insurance provider reported $3.65 earnings per share for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $3.18 by $0.47. American Financial Group had a net margin of 10.30% and a return on equity of 18.64%. The company had revenue of $2.06 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $1.79 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the firm earned $3.12 earnings per share. The firm's revenue for the quarter was down 4.0% compared to the same quarter last year.  As a group, equities research analysts expect that  American Financial Group, Inc. will post 10.5 earnings per share for the current year. </p><h2>American Financial Group Announces Dividend</h2><p>The company also recently declared a special dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, February 25th. Stockholders of record on Monday, February 16th were issued a dividend of $1.50 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, February 13th. American Financial Group's dividend payout ratio  is presently 34.96%. </p><h2>Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth</h2><p>Several analysts have commented on AFG shares. Weiss Ratings downgraded American Financial Group from a &#34;buy (b-)&#34; rating to a &#34;hold (c+)&#34; rating in a research note on Monday, January 12th. Wells Fargo &amp; Company lowered their price target on American Financial Group from $165.00 to $160.00 and set an &#34;overweight&#34; rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, February 5th. One equities research analyst  has rated the stock with a Buy rating and four have issued  a Hold rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, American Financial Group presently has an average rating of &#34;Hold&#34; and an average target price of $141.25.</p><p><b>Read Our Latest Analysis on AFG</b></p><h2>American Financial Group Company Profile</h2> (Free Report)<p>American Financial Group, Inc <span>NYSE: AFG<span></span></span> is a diversified holding company primarily engaged in property and casualty insurance and reinsurance. Through its flagship subsidiary, Great American Insurance Company, the firm underwrites a broad range of specialty insurance products for commercial and industrial clients, including inland marine, excess and surplus lines, executive liability, and environmental liability coverage. In addition, American Financial Group offers supplemental accident and health insurance and assumes reinsurance risks from other insurers, helping to diversify its underwriting portfolio.  </p><p>The company traces its roots to 1946, when it was founded by Carl Lindner, Sr.</p><h2>Read More</h2><ul><li>Five stocks we like better than American Financial Group</li><li>A personal warning from Martin Weiss (Please read)</li><li>SpaceX IPO Confirmed: Claim Your Stake Today</li><li>Iran isn't the real war</li><li>$30 stock to buy before Starlink goes public (WATCH NOW!)</li><li>This coin has everything going for it</li></ul><p><strong>Want to see what other hedge funds are holding AFG?</strong> Visit HoldingsChannel.com to get the latest 13F filings and insider trades for American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE:AFG - Free Report).</p><p><img src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.marketbeat.com/scripts/SECFilingChart.ashx/query-UHJlZml4PU5ZU0UmU3ltYm9sPUFGRw?x-oss-process=image/auto-orient,1/interlace,1/resize,w_1440,h_1440/quality,q_95/format,jpg" width="650" height="350" original-src="https://imageproxy.pbkrs.com/https://www.marketbeat.com/scripts/SECFilingChart.ashx/query-UHJlZml4PU5ZU0UmU3ltYm9sPUFGRw"/></p><p><em>This instant news alert was generated by narrative science technology and financial data from MarketBeat in order to provide readers with the fastest reporting and unbiased coverage. Please send any questions or comments about this story to contact@marketbeat.com.</em></p><h2>Should You Invest $1,000 in American Financial Group Right Now?</h2><p>Before you consider American Financial Group, you'll want to hear this.</p><p>MarketBeat keeps track of Wall Street's top-rated and best performing research analysts and the stocks they recommend to their clients on a daily basis. MarketBeat has identified the five stocks that top analysts are quietly whispering to their clients to buy now before the broader market catches on... and American Financial Group wasn't on the list.</p><p>While American Financial Group currently has a Hold rating among analysts, top-rated analysts believe these five stocks are better buys.</p><p>View The Five Stocks Here</p>                  </div>

<p>M Holdings Securities Inc. has acquired a new stake in American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG), purchasing 13,915 shares valued at approximately $2.03 million. Other investors, including Alpine Bank Wealth Management and Root Financial Partners, also bought shares in the third quarter. CFO Brian S. Hertzman sold 1,663 shares, reducing his position by 12.11%. American Financial Group reported earnings of $3.65 per share, exceeding estimates, and declared a special dividend of $1.50 per share. Analysts have mixed ratings on AFG, with an average target price of $141.25.</p>

M Holdings Securities Inc. Acquires New Position in American Financial Group, Inc. $AFG