American Financial Group pays special dividend

On February 1, 2023, American Financial Group, Inc. (AFG) declared a $4.00 per share special dividend. The dividend is payable on February 28, 2023 to shareholders of record on February 15, 2023. The aggregate amount of this special dividend will be approximately $340 million. This special dividend is in addition to the regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.63 per share most recently paid on January 25, 2023. The regular dividend yield for AFG is 1.8% a a stock price of $138.

Carl H. Lindner III and S. Craig Lindner, AFG’s Co-Chief Executive Officers, issued this statement: “Full year core net operating earnings were $11.63 per share, the highest ever achieved for AFG. We are very pleased with our strong performance for the 2022 fourth quarter and full year. In addition to producing an annual core operating return on equity of 21%, net written premiums grew by 11% during the year. Our talented insurance and investment professionals have executed well in a dynamic insurance industry and uncertain economic environment, positioning us well as we begin 2023.

“AFG had approximately $1.41 billion of excess capital (including parent company cash and investments of approximately $876 million) at December 31, 2022. Returning capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases is an important and effective component of our capital management strategy. In addition, our excess capital will be deployed into AFG’s core businesses as we identify potential for healthy, profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand our specialty niche businesses through acquisitions and start-ups that meet our target return thresholds. Over the past year, we increased our quarterly dividend by 12.5% and paid special dividends of $12.00 per share. Total growth in adjusted book value plus dividends was a very strong 18.5%. We are very proud of our track record of creating long-term value for our shareholders.”

American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. Great American Insurance Group’s roots go back to 1872 with the founding of its flagship company, Great American Insurance Company. American Financial Group has paid an uninterrupted dividend to its shareholders every year since at least 1986.