UNITED STATES

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549


FORM 8-K


CURRENT REPORT

Pursuant to Section 13 OR 15(d) of

The Securities Exchange Act of 1934

Date of Report (Date of earliest event reported): August 19, 2010

 

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)


Ohio

1-13653

31-1544320

_________________________________________________________________________________________________

(State or other jurisdiction

of incorporation)

(Commission

File Number)

(IRS Employer

Identification No.)

 

 


One East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, OH

45202

____________________________________________________________

______________________________

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)


Registrant's telephone number, including area code 513-579-2121

/   /  Check the appropriate box below if the Form 8-K filing is intended to simultaneously satisfy the filing obligation of the registrant under any of the
        following provisions (see General Instruction A.2. below):

/   /  Written communications pursuant to Rule 425 under the Securities Act (17 CFR 230.425)


/   /  Soliciting material pursuant to Rule 14a-12 under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14a-12)


/   /  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 14d-2(b) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.14d-2(b))


/   /  Pre-commencement communications pursuant to Rule 13e-4(c) under the Exchange Act (17 CFR 240.13e-4(c))

 


 

Section 8 - Other Events

Item 8.01
 Other Events.

        On August 19, 2010 American Financial Group, Inc. announced that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the Company's annual dividend rate.

        A copy of the press release is attached as Exhibit 99.1 and is incorporated by reference herein.


Section 9 - Financial Statements and Exhibits


Item 9.01 Financial Statements and Exhibits.

    1. Financial statements of business acquired.  Not applicable.
    2. Pro forma financial information.  Not applicable.
    3. Exhibits

Exhibit No.

Description                                                                                                                             

   

  99.1

Press release, dated August 19, 2010

 

SIGNATURES

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.

  AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
   
Date: August 19, 2010 By: /s/ Karl J. Grafe
       Karl J. Grafe
       Vice President
AFG Press Release

Exhibit 99.1

 

 

AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.

TO INCREASE ITS DIVIDEND BY 18%

Cincinnati, Ohio - August 19, 2010 - American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE/NASDAQ: AFG) announced today that its Board of Directors has approved an increase in the Company's annual dividend from $0.55 to $0.65 per share of common stock. The increased dividend, when declared, will be paid on a quarterly basis of $0.1625 per share of common stock beginning in October 2010. The new dividend rate represents an 18% increase over the annual rate paid thus far in 2010. The Company has increased its dividend in each of the last six years.

 Craig Lindner and Carl Lindner III, AFG's Co-Chief Executive Officers, stated that, "We are pleased to increase the annual dividend paid to our shareholders by 10 cents per share. This increase clearly reflects our confidence in the Company's strong financial condition and liquidity, as well as its prospects for long-term growth."

About American Financial Group, Inc.

American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio with assets in excess of $30 billion. Through the operations of Great American Insurance Group, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses, and in the sale of traditional fixed, indexed and variable annuities and a variety of supplemental insurance products. 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 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 and investment activities; 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.


Page Two

Actual results could differ materially from those expected by AFG depending on certain factors including but not limited to: the unpredictability of possible future litigation if certain settlements do not become effective, changes in economic conditions including interest rates, performance of securities markets, the availability of capital, regulatory actions and changes in the legal environment affecting AFG or its customers, tax law changes, levels of natural catastrophes, terrorist activities, including any nuclear, biological, chemical or radiological events, incidents of war and other major losses, development of insurance loss reserves and other reserves, particularly with respect to amounts associated with asbestos and environmental claims, availability of reinsurance and ability of reinsurers to pay their obligations, trends in persistency, mortality and morbidity, competitive pressures, including the ability to obtain adequate rates, and changes in debt a nd claims paying ratings.

 

Contact:

Diane P. Weidner

Web Sites:  www.AFGinc.com

 

Asst. Vice President - Investor Relations

                     www.GreatAmericanInsurance.com  

 

(513) 369-5713

                           www.GAFRI.com