American Financial Group reports Q1 core EPS $2.47, consensus $2.56

Reports Q1 revenue $1.85B, consensus $1.7B. S. Craig Lindner and Carl Lindner, AFG‘s co-CEOs, issued this statement: “We are pleased to report a core net operating ROE of 17% in the first quarter. Our specialty P&C businesses produced strong underwriting profitability against a backdrop of lower returns in our alternative investments portfolio. We returned nearly $260 million to our shareholders through a combination of regular dividends, special dividends and share repurchases. Our entrepreneurial, opportunistic culture and disciplined operating philosophy continue to position us well for long-term success.”