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): June 17, 2008
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
On June 17, 2008, Carl H. Lindner III, Co-Chief Executive Officer of American Financial Group, Inc. ("AFG"), addressed the Fox-Pitt Kelton Cochran Caronia Waller Conference in New York City. During his remarks, he discussed several items related to 2008 earnings; these items were also included in a Company press release issued that morning.
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.
Exhibit No. |
Description |
99.1 |
Press release, dated June 17, 2008. |
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 hereunto duly authorized.
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. |
|
Date: June 18, 2008 |
|
By: Karl J. Grafe |
|
Karl J. Grafe |
|
Vice President |
EXHIBIT 99.1
American Financial Group Provides Investor Conference
Information Related To A&E Reserves and Recent Storms
Cincinnati, Ohio - June 17, 2008 - This morning Carl H. Lindner III, Co-Chief Executive Officer of American Financial Group, Inc. (NYSE/NASDAQ: AFG) addressed the Fox-Pitt Kelton Cochran Caronia Waller Conference in New York City, as disclosed previously in our press release dated June 10, 2008. During his remarks he discussed several items related to 2008 earnings, including these points:
Based on current information, the company reaffirmed its 2008 core net operating earnings guidance of $3.90 to $4.10 per share. These expected results exclude the potential for significant catastrophe losses and crop losses, unforeseen major adjustments to asbestos and environmental reserves, and large gains or losses from asset sales.
A replay of the conference presentation is available via the Webcast link below within the Investor Relations section of AFG's website, www.afginc.com. The replay will be available for 30 days.
http://www.wsw.com/webcast/fpk5/afg/
Page Two
About American Financial Group, Inc.
American Financial Group is an insurance holding company, based in Cincinnati, Ohio with assets in excess of $25 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.
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 financial, political and economic conditions including changes in interest rates and any extended economic recessions or expansions, performance of securities markets, our ability to estimate accurately the likelihood, magnitude and timing of any losses in connection with investments in the residential mortgage market, especially in the subprime sector, 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 asbe stos 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, changes in AFG's credit ratings or the financial strength ratings assigned by major ratings agencies to our operating subsidiaries, and other factors identified in our filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission.
Contact: | Anne N. Watson | Web Sites: | www.afginc.com |
Vice President - Investor Relations | www.GreatAmericanInsurance.com | ||
(513) 579-6652 | |||
Diane P. Weidner | |||
Director - Investor Relations | |||
(513) 369-5713 |
AFG08-11