American Financial Group, Inc. Announces Agreements to Sell Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina

Rhea-AI Summary

American Financial Group (NYSE: AFG) has announced agreements to sell the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina, a premier property in South Carolina. The sale includes two full-service hotels, a 459-slip marina, a restaurant, retail store, and resort amenities. The transaction is expected to close in Q2 or Q3 2025, subject to a 60-day due diligence period during which purchasers can terminate the agreements.

AFG anticipates recognizing a net after-tax gain of approximately $100 million ($1.20 per share) from the sale. The company initially acquired the property in 2002 and has made significant improvements since then, including the construction of The Beach Club, a luxury waterfront resort.

Positive

• Expected net after-tax gain of $100 million ($1.20 per share)
• Strategic divestment of non-core asset acquired in 2002

Negative

• 60-day due diligence period allows purchasers to terminate agreements

Insights

Financial Analyst

AFG's sale of Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina represents a significant financial transaction with an expected $100 million net after-tax gain ($1.20 per share). For a company with a $10.9 billion market cap, this represents nearly 1% of total market value materializing in a single transaction.

The divestiture appears strategically sound as it allows AFG to monetize a non-core asset that falls outside its primary insurance operations. Since acquiring the property in 2002, AFG has made substantial improvements, including constructing The Beach Club luxury waterfront resort, likely enhancing the property's value substantially.

Investors should note the contingent nature of this transaction. The agreements include a 60-day due diligence period during which either purchaser can terminate without penalty. This creates some uncertainty around the deal's completion. If conditions are met, the closing is expected in Q2-Q3 2025.

This transaction demonstrates management's capital allocation discipline in realizing value from peripheral assets while potentially allowing greater focus on AFG's core specialized commercial insurance products. The $1.20 per share gain represents a meaningful one-time boost equivalent to approximately 0.9% of the current share price.

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) announced today that a wholly-owned subsidiary of AFG has reached agreements (“Agreements”) to sell the hotel and related assets and the marina comprising Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina (“Charleston Harbor”), a premier resort property and marina located in Charleston, South Carolina. In addition to customary representations, warranties and closing conditions, each Agreement includes a sixty-day due diligence period during which time either purchaser, in its sole discretion, can terminate the Agreements. If the Agreements are not terminated during the due diligence period, upon the satisfaction of the other conditions to closing, the transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2025. AFG currently expects to recognize a net, after-tax gain of approximately $100 million ($1.20 per share) on the sale.

Charleston Harbor includes two full-service hotels, a 459-slip marina, a full-service restaurant, retail store and other resort amenities. AFG first purchased what became known as Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina in 2002 and has made significant improvements since that time, including construction of The Beach Club, a luxury waterfront resort.

About American Financial Group, Inc.

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.

Forward Looking Statements

This press release, and any related oral statements, contains certain statements that may be deemed to be "forward-looking statements" within the meaning of Section 27A of the Securities Act of 1933 and Section 21E of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934. All statements in this press release not dealing with historical results are forward-looking and are based on estimates, assumptions, and projections. Examples of such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: the Company's expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings, investment activities and the amount and timing of share repurchases or special dividends; recoverability of asset values; expected losses and the adequacy of reserves for asbestos, environmental pollution and mass tort claims; rate changes; and improved loss experience.

Actual results and/or financial condition could differ materially from those contained in or implied by such forward-looking statements for a variety of reasons including, but not limited to: the risks and uncertainties AFG describes in the “Risk Factors” section of its most recent Annual Report on Form 10-K, as updated by its other reports filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission; whether or not the sale of Charleston Harbor closes and AFG’s net gain as a result of the sale; changes in financial, political and economic conditions, including changes in interest and inflation rates, currency fluctuations and extended economic recessions or expansions in the U.S. and/or abroad; performance of securities markets; new legislation or declines in credit quality or credit ratings that could have a material impact on the valuation of securities in AFG’s investment portfolio; the availability of capital; changes in insurance law or regulation, including changes in statutory accounting rules, including modifications to capital requirements; changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers; tax law and accounting changes; levels of natural catastrophes and severe weather, terrorist activities (including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events), incidents of war or losses resulting from pandemics, civil unrest and other major losses; disruption caused by cyber-attacks or other technology breaches or failures by AFG or its business partners and service providers, which could negatively impact AFG’s business and/or expose AFG to litigation; development of insurance loss reserves and establishment of other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims; availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations; competitive pressures; the ability to obtain adequate rates and policy terms; changes in AFG’s credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to AFG’s operating subsidiaries; the impact of the conditions in the international financial markets and the global economy relating to AFG’s international operations; and effects on AFG’s reputation, including as a result of environmental, social and governance matters.

The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this press release. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20250331969207/en/

Diane P. Weidner, IRC, CPA (inactive)

Vice President - Investor & Media Relations

513-369-5713



Websites:

www.AFGinc.com

www.GreatAmericanInsuranceGroup.com

Source: American Financial Group, Inc.

FAQ

What is the expected net gain for AFG from the Charleston Harbor Resort sale?

AFG expects to recognize a net after-tax gain of approximately $100 million ($1.20 per share) from the sale.

When did AFG acquire Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina?

AFG purchased the property in 2002 and has made significant improvements since then, including The Beach Club construction.

What assets are included in the Charleston Harbor Resort & Marina sale?

The sale includes two full-service hotels, a 459-slip marina, a full-service restaurant, retail store, and other resort amenities.

When is the Charleston Harbor Resort sale expected to close?

The transaction is expected to close in the second or third quarter of 2025, following a 60-day due diligence period.