American Financial Group reports Q3 core EPS $2.31, consensus $2.47

S. Craig Lindner and Carl H. Lindner III, AFG‘s Co-Chief Executive Officers, issued this statement: “We are pleased with AFG’s performance during the third quarter. We achieved an annualized core operating return of 16%, with solid underwriting profitability despite elevated catastrophe losses during the quarter. P&C net investment income increased by nearly 15% year over year. These results, coupled with effective capital management, enable us to continue to create value for our shareholders.” Lindner continued, “AFG continued to have significant excess capital at September 30, 2024. 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.”