American Financial Group, Inc. Announces Special Dividend and Share Repurchases

Rhea-AI Summary

American Financial Group (NYSE: AFG) has declared a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share, payable on March 28, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 17, 2025. The special dividend totals approximately $170 million and comes in addition to the regular quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share paid on January 24, 2025.

Since 2021, AFG has declared $52.00 per share in special dividends, including $6.50 per share in 2024. The company also reported share repurchases of approximately $50 million at an average price of $123.83 per share through February 27, 2025.

The company's leadership emphasized their commitment to returning capital to shareholders through dividends and opportunistic share repurchases, while maintaining focus on deploying capital into core businesses for organic growth and potential acquisitions.

Positive

• Special dividend of $2.00 per share ($170M total)
• Consistent dividend payments - $52.00/share in special dividends since 2021
• $50M share repurchase program executed
• Regular quarterly dividend of $0.80 per share maintained

Negative

• Share repurchases at relatively high average price of $123.83

CINCINNATI--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE: AFG) announced today that its Board of Directors has declared a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share of American Financial Group common stock. The dividend is payable on March 28, 2025, to shareholders of record on March 17, 2025. The aggregate amount of this special dividend will be approximately $170 million. This special dividend is in addition to the Company’s regular quarterly cash dividend of $0.80 per share most recently paid on January 24, 2025. With this special dividend, the Company has declared $52.00 per share in special dividends since the beginning of 2021, including $6.50 per share in 2024.

In addition, the Company announced that it repurchased approximately $50 million of its common stock at an average price per share of $123.83 year to date through February 27, 2025.

S. Craig Lindner and Carl H. Lindner III, AFG’s Co-Chief Executive Officers, issued this statement: “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 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.”

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; 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/20250228156337/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

How much is AFG's special dividend payment announced for March 2025?

AFG announced a special dividend of $2.00 per share, payable on March 28, 2025, totaling approximately $170 million.

What is the total amount of special dividends AFG has paid since 2021?

AFG has declared $52.00 per share in special dividends since the beginning of 2021, including $6.50 per share in 2024.

How many shares did AFG repurchase in early 2025?

AFG repurchased approximately $50 million of its common stock at an average price of $123.83 per share through February 27, 2025.

What is AFG's current regular quarterly dividend payment?

AFG's regular quarterly cash dividend is $0.80 per share, with the most recent payment made on January 24, 2025.