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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC - Quarter Report: 2021 June (Form 10-Q)


____________________________________________________________________________________________
UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 10-Q
Quarterly Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the Quarterly Period Ended June 30, 2021
or
Transition Report Pursuant to Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the transition period from ____ to ____

Commission File No. 1-13653

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC.
Incorporated under the Laws of Ohio                                                                IRS Employer I.D. No. 31-1544320
301 East Fourth Street, Cincinnati, Ohio 45202
(513) 579-2121
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months, and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant has submitted electronically, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T during the preceding 12 months. Yes  No 

Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, a smaller reporting company or an emerging growth company. See definitions of “large accelerated filer,” “accelerated filer,” “smaller reporting company” and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.
Large accelerated filer                          Accelerated filer                           Non-accelerated filer  
Smaller reporting company                     Emerging growth company  
If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. 
Indicate by check mark whether the Registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act). Yes  No 
Securities Registered Pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of Each ClassTrading Symbol(s)Name of Each Exchange on Which Registered
Common StockAFGNew York Stock Exchange
5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 30, 2059AFGBNew York Stock Exchange
5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 1, 2060AFGDNew York Stock Exchange
5.125% Subordinated Debentures due December 15, 2059AFGCNew York Stock Exchange
4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 15, 2060AFGENew York Stock Exchange
As of August 1, 2021, there were 84,749,383 shares of the Registrant’s Common Stock outstanding, excluding 14.9 million shares owned by subsidiaries.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
TABLE OF CONTENTS
 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
PART I
ITEM 1. — FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)
June 30,
2021
December 31,
2020
Assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$3,365 $1,665 
Investments:
Fixed maturities, available for sale at fair value (amortized cost — $9,481 and $8,812; allowance for expected credit losses of $9 and $12)
9,732 9,084 
Fixed maturities, trading at fair value26 24 
Equity securities, at fair value965 889 
Investments accounted for using the equity method1,378 1,235 
Mortgage loans461 377 
Real estate and other investments198 220 
Total cash and investments16,125 13,494 
Recoverables from reinsurers3,330 3,288 
Prepaid reinsurance premiums865 768 
Agents’ balances and premiums receivable1,423 1,229 
Deferred policy acquisition costs258 244 
Assets of managed investment entities5,086 4,971 
Other receivables682 678 
Other assets835 977 
Goodwill176 176 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations— 47,885 
Total assets$28,780 $73,710 
Liabilities and Equity:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses$10,498 $10,392 
Unearned premiums3,054 2,803 
Payable to reinsurers829 807 
Liabilities of managed investment entities5,029 4,914 
Long-term debt1,963 1,963 
Other liabilities1,806 1,584 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations— 44,458 
Total liabilities23,179 66,921 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock, no par value
       — 200,000,000 shares authorized
       — 84,713,927 and 86,345,246 shares outstanding
85 86 
Capital surplus1,303 1,281 
Retained earnings4,023 4,149 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax190 1,273 
Total shareholders’ equity5,601 6,789 
Noncontrolling interests— — 
Total equity5,601 6,789 
Total liabilities and equity$28,780 $73,710 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF EARNINGS (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions, Except Per Share Data)
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums$1,250 $1,184 $2,423 $2,393 
Net investment income164 88 352 192 
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities43 108 120 (220)
Subsidiary— — 
Income of managed investment entities:
Investment income44 49 90 108 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities(3)(16)
Other income20 19 43 43 
Total revenues1,531 1,445 3,040 2,500 
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses714 771 1,381 1,478 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses390 409 770 829 
Interest charges on borrowed money23 23 47 40 
Expenses of managed investment entities39 42 78 95 
Other expenses77 60 141 103 
Total costs and expenses1,243 1,305 2,417 2,545 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes288 140 623 (45)
Provision (credit) for income taxes48 37 116 (4)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests240 103 507 (41)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations762 64 914 (96)
Net earnings (loss), including noncontrolling interests1,002 167 1,421 (137)
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— (10)— (13)
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders$1,002 $177 $1,421 $(124)
Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders per Basic Common Share from:
Continuing operations$2.83 $1.26 $5.94 $(0.31)
Discontinued operations8.95 0.72 10.69 (1.07)
Total basic earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$11.78 $1.98 $16.63 $(1.38)
Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders per Diluted Common Share:
Continuing operations$2.81 $1.26 $5.90 $(0.31)
Discontinued operations8.89 0.71 10.61 (1.07)
Total diluted earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$11.70 $1.97 $16.51 $(1.38)
Average number of Common Shares:
Basic85.0 89.7 85.5 90.0 
Diluted85.6 90.0 86.1 90.0 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions)
 
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Net earnings (loss), including noncontrolling interests$1,002 $167 $1,421 $(137)
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax:
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period133 1,021 (148)156 
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings(7)(7)(18)12 
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized gains of subsidiaries sold(884)— (884)— 
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities(758)1,014 (1,050)168 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on cash flow hedges arising during the period12 (1)48 
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings(4)(9)(11)(18)
Reclassification adjustment for unrealized gains on cash flow hedges of subsidiaries sold(29)— (29)— 
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges(27)(41)30 
Foreign currency translation adjustments— — (6)
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments (“OPRP”):
Unrealized holding losses on pension and OPRP arising during the period(1)— (1)— 
Reclassification adjustment for pension settlement loss included in net earnings— — 
Total pension and OPRP adjustments— — 
Other comprehensive income (loss), net of tax(777)1,021 (1,083)192 
Total comprehensive income, net of tax225 1,188 338 55 
Less: Comprehensive income (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests— (10)— (11)
Comprehensive income attributable to shareholders$225 $1,198 $338 $66 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED)
(Dollars in Millions)
 Shareholders’ Equity  Redeemable
CommonCommon Stock
and Capital
RetainedAccumulated
Other Comp.
 Noncon-
trolling
TotalNoncon-
trolling
SharesSurplusEarningsIncomeTotalInterestsEquityInterests
Balance at March 31, 202185,126,062 $1,364 $4,354 $967 $6,685 $— $6,685 
Net earnings— — 1,002 — 1,002 — 1,002 
Other comprehensive loss— — — (777)(777)— (777)
Dividends ($14.50 per share)
— — (1,232)— (1,232)— (1,232)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options561,732 30 — — 30 — 30 
Restricted stock awards— — — — — — — 
Other benefit plans27,833 — — — 
Dividend reinvestment plan34,348 — — — 
Stock-based compensation expense
— — — — 
Shares acquired and retired(916,520)(15)(99)— (114)— (114)
Shares exchanged — benefit plans(14,380)— (2)— (2)— (2)
Forfeitures of restricted stock
(105,148)— — — — — — 
Balance at June 30, 202184,713,927 $1,388 $4,023 $190 $5,601 $— $5,601 
Balance at March 31, 202089,827,336 $1,399 $3,616 $32 $5,047 $— $5,047 $— 
Net earnings (loss)— — 177 — 177 — 177 (10)
Other comprehensive income— — — 1,021 1,021 — 1,021 — 
Dividends ($0.45 per share)
— — (41)— (41)— (41)— 
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options5,250 — — — — — — — 
Restricted stock awards— — — — — — — — 
Other benefit plans51,955 — — — — 
Dividend reinvestment plan2,733 — — — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation expense
— — — — — 
Shares acquired and retired(1,194,236)(19)(57)— (76)— (76)— 
Shares exchanged — benefit plans(540)— — — — — — — 
Forfeitures of restricted stock(33,091)— — — — — — — 
Other— — (10)— (10)— (10)10 
Balance at June 30, 202088,659,407 $1,388 $3,685 $1,053 $6,126 $— $6,126 $— 

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY (UNAUDITED) — CONTINUED
(Dollars in Millions)
 Shareholders’ Equity  Redeemable
CommonCommon Stock
and Capital
RetainedAccumulated
Other Comp.
 Noncon-
trolling
TotalNoncon-
trolling
SharesSurplusEarningsIncomeTotalInterestsEquityInterests
Balance at December 31, 202086,345,246 $1,367 $4,149 $1,273 $6,789 $— $6,789 
Net earnings— — 1,421 — 1,421 — 1,421 
Other comprehensive loss— — — (1,083)(1,083)— (1,083)
Dividends ($15.00 per share)
— — (1,275)— (1,275)— (1,275)
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options964,744 49 — — 49 — 49 
Restricted stock awards207,020 — — — — — — 
Other benefit plans43,465 — — — 
Dividend reinvestment plan36,654 — — — 
Stock-based compensation expense
— — — — 
Shares acquired and retired(2,674,222)(43)(263)— (306)— (306)
Shares exchanged — benefit plans(91,364)(1)(9)— (10)— (10)
Forfeitures of restricted stock
(117,616)— — — — — — 
Balance at June 30, 202184,713,927 $1,388 $4,023 $190 $5,601 $— $5,601 
Balance at December 31, 201990,303,686 $1,397 $4,009 $863 $6,269 $— $6,269 $— 
Cumulative effect of accounting change— — — — — 
Net loss— — (124)— (124)— (124)(13)
Other comprehensive income— — — 190 190 — 190 
Dividends ($0.90 per share)
— — (81)— (81)— (81)— 
Shares issued:
Exercise of stock options209,343 — — — — 
Restricted stock awards227,867 — — — — — — — 
Other benefit plans66,496 — — — — 
Dividend reinvestment plan4,350 — — — — — — — 
Stock-based compensation expense
— 10 — — 10 — 10 — 
Shares acquired and retired(2,020,519)(31)(106)— (137)— (137)— 
Shares exchanged — benefit plans(96,394)(2)(9)— (11)— (11)— 
Forfeitures of restricted stock(35,422)— — — — — — — 
Other— — (11)— (11)— (11)11 
Balance at June 30, 202088,659,407 $1,388 $3,685 $1,053 $6,126 $— $6,126 $— 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CASH FLOWS (UNAUDITED)
(In Millions)
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Operating Activities:
Net earnings (loss), including noncontrolling interests$1,421 $(137)
Adjustments:
Depreciation and amortization133 79 
Annuity benefits377 702 
Realized (gains) losses on investing activities(1,141)346 
Net (purchases) sales of trading securities(1)11 
Deferred annuity and life policy acquisition costs(98)(79)
Change in:
Reinsurance and other receivables(147)46 
Other assets250 211 
Insurance claims and reserves349 30 
Payable to reinsurers22 (68)
Other liabilities123 (233)
Managed investment entities’ assets/liabilities(22)116 
Other operating activities, net(296)63 
Net cash provided by operating activities970 1,087 
Investing Activities:
Purchases of:
Fixed maturities(5,573)(6,121)
Equity securities(66)(324)
Mortgage loans(90)(152)
Equity index options and other investments(294)(501)
Real estate, property and equipment(26)(20)
Proceeds from:
Maturities and redemptions of fixed maturities3,466 2,343 
Repayments of mortgage loans14 
Sales of fixed maturities665 2,777 
Sales of equity securities452 342 
Sales and settlements of equity index options and other investments
530 404 
Sales of real estate, property and equipment
Sales of businesses3,547 — 
Cash and cash equivalents of businesses sold(2,060)— 
Managed investment entities:
Purchases of investments(987)(603)
Proceeds from sales and redemptions of investments1,061 540 
Other investing activities, net21 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities661 (1,296)
Financing Activities:
Annuity receipts2,403 2,097 
Ceded annuity receipts(311)(78)
Annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals(1,931)(1,641)
Ceded annuity surrenders, benefits and withdrawals282 — 
Net transfers from variable annuity assets34 28 
Additional long-term borrowings— 439 
Issuances of managed investment entities’ liabilities1,017 — 
Retirements of managed investment entities’ liabilities(1,045)(46)
Issuances of Common Stock52 12 
Repurchases of Common Stock(306)(137)
Cash dividends paid on Common Stock(1,271)(81)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(1,076)593 
Net Change in Cash and Cash Equivalents555 384 
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period2,810 2,314 
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period$3,365 $2,698 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS 
INDEX TO NOTES
A.
Accounting Policies
H.
Goodwill and Other Intangibles
B.Discontinued OperationsI.
Long-Term Debt
C.
Sales of Businesses
J.
Shareholders’ Equity
D.
Segments of Operations
K.
Income Taxes
E.
Fair Value Measurements
L.
Contingencies
F.
Investments
M.
Insurance
G.
Managed Investment Entities

A.    Accounting Policies

Basis of Presentation   The accompanying consolidated financial statements for American Financial Group, Inc. and its subsidiaries (“AFG”) are unaudited; however, management believes that all adjustments (consisting only of normal recurring accruals unless otherwise disclosed herein) necessary for fair presentation have been made. The results of operations for interim periods are not necessarily indicative of results to be expected for the year. The financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the instructions to Form 10-Q and, therefore, do not include all information and footnotes necessary to be in conformity with U.S. generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”).

Certain reclassifications have been made to prior periods to conform to the current year’s presentation including reclassifying the assets and liabilities of the Annuity subsidiaries sold in May 2021 to assets and liabilities of discontinued annuity operations and their earnings to net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations. See Note B — “Discontinued Operations.” All significant intercompany balances and transactions have been eliminated. The results of operations of companies since their formation or acquisition are included in the consolidated financial statements. Events or transactions occurring subsequent to June 30, 2021, and prior to the filing of this Form 10-Q, have been evaluated for potential recognition or disclosure herein.

Unless otherwise stated, the information in the Notes to the Consolidated Financial Statements relates to AFG’s continuing operations.

The preparation of the financial statements requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the financial statements and accompanying notes. Changes in circumstances could cause actual results to differ materially from those estimates.

Discontinued Operations   Disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift and that have a major effect on a reporting entity’s operations and financial results are reported as discontinued operations.

Fair Value Measurements   Accounting standards define fair value as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability (an exit price) in an orderly transaction between market participants on the measurement date. The standards establish a hierarchy of valuation techniques based on whether the assumptions that market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability (“inputs”) are observable or unobservable. Observable inputs reflect market data obtained from independent sources, while unobservable inputs reflect AFG’s assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use in pricing the asset or liability. AFG did not have any material nonrecurring fair value measurements in the first six months of 2021.

Credit Losses on Financial Instruments   On January 1, 2020, AFG adopted Accounting Standards Update (“ASU”) 2016-13, Financial Instruments – Credit Losses: Measurement of Credit Losses on Financial Instruments, which provides a new loss model for determining credit-related impairments for financial instruments measured at amortized cost (mortgage loans, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables) and requires an entity to estimate the credit losses expected over the life of an exposure or pool of exposures. The estimate of expected credit losses considers historical information, current information, as well as reasonable and supportable forecasts, including estimates of prepayments. Expected credit losses, and subsequent increases or decreases in such expected losses, are recorded immediately through net earnings as an allowance that is deducted from the amortized cost basis of the financial asset, with the net carrying value of the financial asset presented on the balance sheet at the amount expected to be collected. AFG’s portfolio of mortgage loans crosses a wide variety of commercial properties with very strong loan to value ratios and no credit losses in recent years. In addition, the reinsurance used in AFG’s insurance operations is purchased from financially
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
strong (highly rated) reinsurers and the Company has a long history of collecting premiums receivable through various economic cycles. At the date of adoption, the impact of adjusting AFG’s existing allowances for uncollectable mortgage loans, premiums receivable and reinsurance recoverables to the allowances calculated under the new guidance resulted in a reduction in the net allowance, which was recorded as the cumulative effect of an accounting change ($7 million increase in retained earnings at January 1, 2020).

The updated guidance also amended the current other-than-temporary impairment model for available for sale debt securities by requiring the recognition of impairments relating to credit losses through an allowance and limits the amount of credit loss to the difference between a security’s amortized cost basis and its fair value. Subsequent increases or decreases in expected credit losses are recorded immediately in net earnings through realized gains (losses).

Investments   Equity securities other than those accounted for under the equity method are reported at fair value with holding gains and losses generally recorded in realized gains (losses) on securities. However, AFG records holding gains and losses on securities classified as “trading” under previous guidance, its small portfolio of limited partnerships and similar investments carried at fair value and certain other securities classified at purchase as “fair value through net investment income” in net investment income.

Fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” are reported at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income (“AOCI”) in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Fixed maturity securities classified as “trading” are reported at fair value with changes in unrealized holding gains or losses during the period included in net investment income. Mortgage loans (net of any allowance) are carried primarily at the aggregate unpaid balance.

Premiums and discounts on fixed maturity securities are amortized using the effective interest method. Mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are amortized over a period based on estimated future principal payments, including prepayments. Prepayment assumptions are reviewed periodically and adjusted to reflect actual prepayments and changes in expectations.

Limited partnerships and similar investments are generally accounted for using the equity method of accounting. Under the equity method, AFG records its share of the earnings or losses of the investee based on when it is reported by the investee in its financial statements rather than in the period in which the investee declares a dividend. AFG’s share of the earnings or losses from equity method investments is generally recorded on a quarter lag due to the timing of the receipt of the investee’s financial statements. AFG’s equity in the earnings (losses) of limited partnerships and similar investments is included in net investment income.

Realized gains or losses on the disposal of fixed maturity securities are determined on the specific identification basis. When a decline in the value of an available for sale fixed maturity is considered to be other-than-temporary at the balance sheet date, an allowance for credit losses (impairment), including any write-off of accrued interest, is charged to earnings (included in realized gains (losses) on securities). If management can assert that it does not intend to sell the security and it is not more likely than not that it will have to sell it before recovery of its amortized cost basis (net of allowance), then the impairment allowance is separated into two components: (i) the amount related to credit losses (recorded in earnings) and (ii) the amount related to all other factors (recorded in other comprehensive income). The credit-related portion is measured by comparing a security’s amortized cost to the present value of its current expected cash flows discounted at its effective yield prior to the charge. If management intends to sell an impaired security, or it is more likely than not that it will be required to sell the security before recovery, an impairment is recorded in earnings to reduce the amortized cost (net of allowance) of that security to fair value.

Goodwill   Goodwill represents the excess of cost of subsidiaries over AFG’s equity in their underlying net assets at the date of acquisition. Goodwill is not amortized, but is subject to an impairment test at least annually. An entity is not required to complete the quantitative annual goodwill impairment test on a reporting unit if the entity elects to perform a qualitative analysis and determines that it is more likely than not that the reporting unit’s fair value exceeds its carrying amount.

Reinsurance   Amounts recoverable from reinsurers are estimated in a manner consistent with the claim liability associated with the reinsured policies. AFG’s property and casualty insurance subsidiaries report as assets (i) the estimated reinsurance recoverable on paid and unpaid losses, including an estimate for losses incurred but not reported, and (ii) amounts paid or due to reinsurers applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. Payable to reinsurers includes ceded premiums due to reinsurers, as well as ceded premiums retained by AFG under contracts to fund ceded
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
losses as they become due. AFG also assumes reinsurance from other companies. Earnings on reinsurance assumed is recognized based on information received from ceding companies.

Deferred Policy Acquisition Costs (“DPAC”)   Policy acquisition costs (principally commissions, premium taxes and certain underwriting and policy issuance costs) directly related to the successful acquisition or renewal of an insurance contract are deferred. DPAC is limited based upon recoverability without any consideration for anticipated investment income and is charged against income ratably over the terms of the related policies. A premium deficiency is recognized if the sum of expected claims costs, claims adjustment expenses and unamortized acquisition costs exceed the related unearned premiums. A premium deficiency is first recognized by charging any unamortized acquisition costs to expense to the extent required to eliminate the deficiency. If the premium deficiency is greater than unamortized acquisition costs, a liability is accrued for the excess deficiency and reported with unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses.

Managed Investment Entities   A company is considered the primary beneficiary of, and therefore must consolidate, a variable interest entity (“VIE”) based primarily on its ability to direct the activities of the VIE that most significantly impact that entity’s economic performance and the obligation to absorb losses of, or receive benefits from, the entity that could potentially be significant to the VIE.

AFG manages, and has investments in, collateralized loan obligations (“CLOs”) that are VIEs (see Note G — “Managed Investment Entities”). AFG has determined that it is the primary beneficiary of these CLOs because (i) its role as asset manager gives it the power to direct the activities that most significantly impact the economic performance of the CLOs and (ii) through its investment in the CLO debt tranches, it has exposure to CLO losses (limited to the amount AFG invested) and the right to receive CLO benefits that could potentially be significant to the CLOs.

Because AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities, the assets and liabilities of the CLOs are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. AFG has elected the fair value option for reporting on the CLO assets and liabilities to improve the transparency of financial reporting related to the CLOs. The net gain or loss from accounting for the CLO assets and liabilities at fair value is presented separately in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.

The fair values of a CLO’s assets may differ from the separately measured fair values of its liabilities even though the CLO liabilities only have recourse to the CLO assets. AFG has set the carrying value of the CLO liabilities equal to the fair value of the CLO assets (which have more observable fair values) as an alternative to reporting those liabilities at a separately measured fair value. CLO earnings attributable to AFG’s shareholders are measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs and management fees earned.

Unpaid Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses   The net liabilities stated for unpaid claims and for expenses of investigation and adjustment of unpaid claims represent management’s best estimate and are based upon (i) the accumulation of case estimates for losses reported prior to the close of the accounting period on direct business written; (ii) estimates received from ceding reinsurers and insurance pools and associations; (iii) estimates of unreported losses (including possible development on known claims) based on past experience; (iv) estimates based on experience of expenses for investigating and adjusting claims; and (v) the current state of the law and coverage litigation. Establishing reserves for asbestos, environmental and other mass tort claims involves considerably more judgment than other types of claims due to, among other things, inconsistent court decisions, an increase in bankruptcy filings as a result of asbestos-related liabilities, novel theories of coverage, and judicial interpretations that often expand theories of recovery and broaden the scope of coverage.

Loss reserve liabilities are subject to the impact of changes in claim amounts and frequency and other factors. Changes in estimates of the liabilities for losses and loss adjustment expenses are reflected in the statement of earnings in the period in which determined. Despite the variability inherent in such estimates, management believes that the liabilities for unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses are adequate.

Debt Issuance Costs   Debt issuance costs related to AFG’s outstanding debt are presented in its Balance Sheet as a direct reduction in the carrying value of long-term debt and are amortized over the life of the related debt using the effective interest method as a component of interest expense. Debt issuance costs related to AFG’s revolving credit facilities are included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet.

Leases   Leases for terms of longer than one year are recognized as assets and liabilities for the rights and obligations created by those leases on the balance sheet based on the present value of contractual cash flows.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
At June 30, 2021 AFG has a $143 million lease liability included in other liabilities and a lease right-of-use asset of $124 million included in other assets compared to $159 million and $139 million, respectively, at December 31, 2020.

Noncontrolling Interests   For balance sheet purposes, noncontrolling interests represent the interests of shareholders other than AFG in consolidated entities. In the statement of earnings, net earnings and losses attributable to noncontrolling interests represents such shareholders’ interest in the earnings and losses of those entities.

Premium Recognition   Property and casualty premiums are earned generally over the terms of the policies on a pro rata basis. Unearned premiums represent that portion of premiums written, which is applicable to the unexpired terms of policies in force. On reinsurance assumed from other insurance companies or written through various underwriting organizations, unearned premiums are based on information received from such companies and organizations.

Income Taxes   Deferred income taxes are calculated using the liability method. Under this method, deferred income tax assets and liabilities are determined based on differences between financial reporting and tax bases and are measured using enacted tax rates. A valuation allowance is established to reduce total deferred tax assets to an amount that will more likely than not be realized. The effect of a change in tax rates on deferred tax assets and liabilities is recorded in net earnings in the period that includes the enactment date.

AFG recognizes the tax benefits of uncertain tax positions only when the position is more likely than not to be sustained under examination by the appropriate taxing authority. Interest and penalties on AFG’s reserve for uncertain tax positions are recognized as a component of tax expense.

Stock-Based Compensation   All share-based grants are recognized as compensation expense on a straight-line basis over their vesting periods based on their calculated fair value at the date of grant.

AFG records excess tax benefits or deficiencies for share-based payments through income tax expense in the statement of earnings. In addition, AFG accounts for forfeitures of awards when they occur.

Benefit Plans   AFG provides retirement benefits to qualified employees of participating companies through the AFG 401(k) Retirement and Savings Plan, a defined contribution plan. AFG makes all contributions to the retirement fund portion of the plan and matches a percentage of employee contributions to the savings fund. Company contributions are expensed in the year for which they are declared. AFG and many of its subsidiaries provide health care and life insurance benefits to eligible retirees. AFG also provides postemployment benefits to former or inactive employees (primarily those on disability) who were not deemed retired under other company plans. The projected future cost of providing these benefits is expensed over the period employees earn such benefits.

Earnings Per Share   Although basic earnings per share only considers shares of common stock outstanding during the period, the calculation of diluted earnings per share includes the following adjustments to weighted average common shares related to stock-based compensation plans: second quarter of 2021 and 2020 — 0.6 million and 0.3 million; first six months of 2021 and 2020 — 0.6 million and none, respectively.

There were no anti-dilutive potential common shares for the second quarter of 2021 or 2020 or the first six months of 2021 and 0.6 million anti-dilutive potential common shares for the first six months 2020 due to AFG’s net loss attributable to shareholders in that period.

Statement of Cash Flows   For cash flow purposes, “investing activities” are defined as making and collecting loans and acquiring and disposing of debt or equity instruments, property and equipment and businesses. “Financing activities” include obtaining resources from owners and providing them with a return on their investments, borrowing money and repaying amounts borrowed. All other activities are considered “operating.” Short-term investments having original maturities of three months or less when purchased are considered to be cash equivalents for purposes of the financial statements.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
B.    Discontinued Operations

Annuity Business   On May 28, 2021, AFG completed the sale of its Annuity business to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”) with an effective date of May 31, 2021. MassMutual acquired Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”) and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company. In addition to AFG’s annuity operations, these subsidiaries included AFG’s run-off life and long-term care operations. Proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion (including $32 million in preliminary post-closing adjustments). AFG realized a $656 million net gain on the sale. The sale continues to be subject to post-closing adjustments which are expected to be final by the end of 2021. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, the results of the Annuity business sold were reported as discontinued operations in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued.

Prior to the sale, AFG acquired approximately $480 million in investments accounted for using the equity method and approximately $100 million of directly owned real estate from GALIC.

Details of the assets and liabilities of the Annuity subsidiaries sold were as follows (in millions):
May 31, 2021December 31, 2020
Assets of businesses sold:
Cash and cash equivalents$2,060 $1,145 
Investments38,322 38,011 
Recoverables from reinsurers6,748 6,804 
Other assets
2,139 1,925 
Total assets of discontinued annuity operations49,269 47,885 
Liabilities of businesses sold:
Annuity benefits accumulated43,690 42,573 
Other liabilities1,801 1,885 
Total liabilities of discontinued annuity operations45,491 44,458 
Receivable from AFG for real estate-related investments— 537 
Reclassify AOCI(913)(1,071)
Net investment in annuity businesses sold, excluding AOCI$2,865 $2,893 

Details of the results of operations for the discontinued annuity operations were (in millions):
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021 (*)20202021 (*)2020
Net investment income$299 $382 $746 $797 
Realized gains (losses) on securities31 96 112 (127)
Other income20 32 52 65 
Total revenues350 510 910 735 
Annuity benefits216 426 377 702 
Annuity and supplemental insurance acquisition expenses24 (35)136 78 
Other expenses27 41 73 80 
Total costs and expenses267 432 586 860 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes from discontinued operations83 78 324 (125)
Provision (credit) for income taxes on operations18 14 66 (29)
Net earnings (loss) from operations, net of tax65 64 258 (96)
Gain on sale, net of tax697 — 656 — 
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations$762 $64 $914 $(96)
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.

Net investment income in the table above excludes $22 million and $7 million in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 and $51 million and $19 million in first six months of 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to the real estate-related entities that AFG acquired from the discontinued annuity operations prior to the completion of the sale.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The impact of the sale of the annuity business is shown below (in millions):
May 31, 2021
Cash proceeds$3,537 
Receivable from MassMutual32 
Sale related expenses(8)
Total net proceeds3,561 
Net investment in annuity businesses sold, excluding AOCI2,865 
Reclassify net deferred tax asset(210)
Pretax gain on sale906 
Income tax expense:
Reclassify net deferred tax asset210 
Tax liabilities triggered by pending sale in the first quarter of 202141 
Other(1)
Total income tax expense250 
Net gain on sale$656 

Summarized cash flows for the discontinued annuity operations were (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Net cash provided by operating activities$87 $605 
Net cash used in investing activities(1,709)(1,008)
Net cash provided by financing activities477 406 

Derivatives   The vast majority of AFG’s derivatives were held by the sold annuity subsidiaries. The following table summarizes the gains (losses) included in net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations for changes in the fair value of derivatives that do not qualify for hedge accounting for the first six months of 2021 and 2020 (in millions):
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
Derivative2021202020212020
MBS with embedded derivatives$(1)$$(1)$
Fixed-indexed and variable-indexed annuities (embedded derivative)(182)(601)(222)46 
Equity index call options123 383 237 (245)
Equity index put options(1)
Reinsurance contract (embedded derivative)— (3)(1)
$(57)$(214)$20 $(196)


C.    Sales of Businesses

Annuity Operations   See Note B — “Discontinued Operations,” for information on the sale of AFG’s annuity operations.

Neon   In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing Neon Underwriting Ltd. and its other Lloyd’s subsidiaries in run-off. Neon and its predecessor, Marketform, failed to achieve AFG’s profitability objectives since AFG’s purchase of Marketform in 2008. In December 2020, AFG completed the sale of GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited for proceeds of $6 million. The sale completed AFG’s exit from the Lloyd’s of London insurance market. In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of a subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon.

Under GAAP accounting guidance, only disposals of components of an entity that represent a strategic shift and that have a major effect on a reporting entity’s operations and financial results are reported as discontinued operations. Because
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
AFG’s primary business continues to be commercial property and casualty insurance, as well as the immaterial expected impact on AFG’s ongoing results of operations, the sale of Neon was not reported as a discontinued operation.

Revenues, costs and expenses, and earnings before income taxes for the subsidiaries sold were (in millions):
Three months endedSix months ended
June 30, 2020June 30, 2020
Net earned premiums$61 $132 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses66 106 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses38 70 
Underwriting loss(43)(44)
Net investment income— (6)
Other income and expenses, net(2)
Loss before income taxes and noncontrolling interests$(42)$(52)

D.    Segments of Operations

Subsequent to the sale of its annuity operations, see Note B — “Discontinued Operations,” AFG manages its business as two segments: Property and casualty insurance and Other, which includes holding company costs and operations attributable to the noncontrolling interests of the managed investment entities.

AFG reports its property and casualty insurance business in the following Specialty sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, which includes physical damage and liability coverage for buses and trucks, inland and ocean marine, agricultural-related products and other commercial property coverages, (ii) Specialty casualty, which includes primarily excess and surplus, executive and professional liability, general liability, umbrella and excess liability, specialty coverages in targeted markets, customized programs for small to mid-sized businesses and workers’ compensation insurance, and (iii) Specialty financial, which includes risk management insurance programs for lending and leasing institutions (including equipment leasing and collateral and lender-placed mortgage property insurance), fidelity and surety products and trade credit insurance. Premiums and underwriting profit included under Other specialty represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments and amortization of deferred gains on retroactive reinsurance transactions related to the sales of businesses in prior years. AFG’s reportable segments and their components were determined based primarily upon similar economic characteristics, products and services.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

The following tables (in millions) show AFG’s revenues and earnings before income taxes by segment and sub-segment.
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Revenues
Property and casualty insurance:
Premiums earned:
Specialty
Property and transportation$453 $390 $847 $776 
Specialty casualty588 547 1,159 1,103 
Specialty financial157 144 314 300 
Other specialty52 42 103 82 
Other lines (a)— 61 — 132 
Total premiums earned1,250 1,184 2,423 2,393 
Net investment income (b)143 72 302 165 
Other income
Total property and casualty insurance1,394 1,259 2,730 2,566 
Other (c)90 78 186 154 
Total revenues before realized gains (losses)1,484 1,337 2,916 2,720 
Realized gains (losses) on securities43 108 120 (220)
Realized gain on subsidiary— — 
Total revenues$1,531 $1,445 $3,040 $2,500 
(a)Represents premiums earned in the Neon exited lines (which were sold in December 2020) during the second quarter and first six months of 2020.
(b)Includes income of less than $1 million for the second quarter of 2020 and a loss of $6 million in the Neon exited lines in the first six months of 2020 (primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities).
(c)Includes $22 million and $7 million in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 and $51 million and $19 million in first six months of 2021 and 2020, respectively, in investment income from real estate-related entities acquired from the discontinued annuity operations prior to closing of the sale.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Earnings (Loss) Before Income Taxes
Property and casualty insurance:
Underwriting:
Specialty
Property and transportation$62 $33 $118 $60 
Specialty casualty71 27 127 79 
Specialty financial21 — 46 17 
Other specialty(1)(6)(4)(13)
Other lines (a)(1)(45)(1)(47)
Total underwriting152 286 96 
Investment and other income, net (b)136 65 290 149 
Total property and casualty insurance288 74 576 245 
Other (c)(47)(42)(77)(70)
Total earnings before realized gains (losses) and income taxes
241 32 499 175 
Realized gains (losses) on securities43 108 120 (220)
Realized gain on subsidiary— — 
Total earnings (loss) before income taxes$288 $140 $623 $(45)
(a)Includes an underwriting loss of $43 million in the second quarter of 2020 and $44 million in the first six months of 2020 in the Neon exited lines.
(b)Includes $1 million and $10 million in the second quarter and first six months of 2020, respectively, in net expenses from the Neon exited lines, before noncontrolling interest.
(c)Includes holding company interest and expenses and $22 million and $2 million (net of DAC) in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 and $51 million and $8 million (net of DAC) in the first six months of 2021 and 2020, respectively, of earnings from the real estate-related entities acquired from the discontinued annuity operations prior to closing of the sale.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
E.    Fair Value Measurements

Accounting standards for measuring fair value are based on inputs used in estimating fair value. The three levels of the hierarchy are as follows:

Level 1 — Quoted prices for identical assets or liabilities in active markets (markets in which transactions occur with sufficient frequency and volume to provide pricing information on an ongoing basis). AFG’s Level 1 financial instruments consist primarily of publicly traded equity securities, highly liquid government bonds for which quoted market prices in active markets are available and short-term investments of managed investment entities.

Level 2 — Quoted prices for similar instruments in active markets; quoted prices for identical or similar assets or liabilities in inactive markets (markets in which there are few transactions, the prices are not current, price quotations vary substantially over time or among market makers, or in which little information is released publicly); and valuations based on other significant inputs that are observable in active markets. AFG’s Level 2 financial instruments include corporate and municipal fixed maturity securities, asset-backed securities (“ABS”), mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”), certain non-affiliated common stocks and investments of managed investment entities priced using observable inputs. Level 2 inputs include benchmark yields, reported trades, corroborated broker/dealer quotes, issuer spreads and benchmark securities. When non-binding broker quotes can be corroborated by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs, they are classified as Level 2.

Level 3 — Valuations derived from market valuation techniques generally consistent with those used to estimate the fair values of Level 2 financial instruments in which one or more significant inputs are unobservable or when the market for a security exhibits significantly less liquidity relative to markets supporting Level 2 fair value measurements. The unobservable inputs may include management’s own assumptions about the assumptions market participants would use based on the best information available at the valuation date. Financial instruments whose fair value is estimated based on non-binding broker quotes or internally developed using significant inputs not based on, or corroborated by, observable market information are classified as Level 3.

As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities,” AFG has set the carrying value of its CLO liabilities equal to the fair value of the CLO assets (which have more observable fair values) as an alternative to reporting those liabilities at separately measured fair values. As a result, the CLO liabilities are categorized within the fair value hierarchy on the same basis (proportionally) as the related CLO assets. Since the portion of the CLO liabilities allocated to Level 3 is derived from the fair value of the CLO assets, these amounts are excluded from the progression of Level 3 financial instruments.

AFG’s management is responsible for the valuation process and uses data from outside sources (including nationally recognized pricing services and broker/dealers) in establishing fair value. AFG’s internal investment professionals are a group of approximately 20 investment professionals whose primary responsibility is to manage AFG’s investment portfolio. These professionals monitor individual investments as well as overall industries and are active in the financial markets on a daily basis. The group is led by AFG’s chief investment officer, who reports directly to one of AFG’s Co-CEOs. Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, the Company communicates directly with the pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the service to value specific securities.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Assets and liabilities of continuing operations measured and carried at fair value in the financial statements are summarized below (in millions):
Level 1Level 2Level 3Total
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Available for sale (“AFS”) fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies$218 $$— $221 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions— 2,024 36 2,060 
Foreign government— 208 — 208 
Residential MBS— 770 28 798 
Commercial MBS— 130 — 130 
Collateralized loan obligations— 1,378 1,384 
Other asset-backed securities— 2,044 315 2,359 
Corporate and other2,348 220 2,572 
Total AFS fixed maturities222 8,905 605 9,732 
Trading fixed maturities— 26 — 26 
Equity securities672 48 245 965 
Assets of managed investment entities (“MIE”)269 4,802 15 5,086 
Total assets of continuing operations accounted for at fair value$1,163 $13,781 $865 $15,809 
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities$266 $4,749 $14 $5,029 
Total liabilities of continuing operations accounted for at fair value$266 $4,749 $14 $5,029 
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Available for sale fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies$195 $$— $198 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions— 2,273 39 2,312 
Foreign government— 176 — 176 
Residential MBS— 877 38 915 
Commercial MBS— 90 92 
Collateralized loan obligations— 1,046 16 1,062 
Other asset-backed securities— 1,742 305 2,047 
Corporate and other2,140 138 2,282 
Total AFS fixed maturities199 8,347 538 9,084 
Trading fixed maturities— 24 — 24 
Equity securities665 48 176 889 
Assets of managed investment entities217 4,733 21 4,971 
Total assets of continuing operations accounted for at fair value$1,081 $13,152 $735 $14,968 
Liabilities:
Liabilities of managed investment entities$215 $4,678 $21 $4,914 
Total liabilities of continuing operations accounted for at fair value$215 $4,678 $21 $4,914 

Approximately 5% of the total assets of continuing operations carried at fair value at June 30, 2021, were Level 3 assets. Approximately 24% ($206 million) of those Level 3 assets were priced using non-binding broker quotes, for which there is a lack of transparency as to the inputs used to determine fair value. Details as to the quantitative inputs are neither provided by the brokers nor otherwise reasonably obtainable by AFG. Approximately $68 million (8%) of the Level 3 assets were priced by pricing services where either a single price was not corroborated, prices varied enough among the providers, or other market factors led management to determine these securities be classified as Level 3 assets.

Internally developed Level 3 asset fair values of continuing operations represent approximately $491 million (57%) of the total fair value of Level 3 assets at June 30, 2021. Internally priced fixed maturities are priced using a variety of inputs, including appropriate credit spreads over the treasury yield (of a similar duration), trade information and prices of comparable securities and other security specific features (such as optional early redemption). Internally developed prices for equity securities are based primarily on financial information of the entities invested in and sales of comparable
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
companies. Since internally developed Level 3 asset fair values represent less than 10% of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity, any justifiable changes in unobservable inputs used to determine internally developed fair values would not have a material impact on AFG’s financial position.
Changes in balances of Level 3 financial assets and liabilities carried at fair value during the second quarter and first six months of 2021 and 2020 are presented below (in millions). The transfers into and out of Level 3 were due to changes in the availability of market observable inputs. All transfers are reflected in the table at fair value as of the end of the reporting period.
Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at March 31, 2021Net
earnings (loss)
OCIPurchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Sale of annuity businessBalance at June 30, 2021
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
State and municipal39 — — — (3)— — — 36 
Residential MBS27 — — — (1)(1)— 28 
Commercial MBS— — — — — — — — — 
Collateralized loan obligations— — — — — — — 
Other asset-backed securities
326 — 38 (49)— (1)— 315 
Corporate and other204 (2)— 22 (2)(3)— 220 
Total AFS fixed maturities602 (2)60 (55)(5)— 605 
Equity securities227 18 — 12 (5)— (7)— 245 
Assets of MIE14 (1)— — — — 15 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations2,806 15 21 13 (136)— — (2,719)— 
Total Level 3 assets$3,649 $30 $22 $86 $(196)$$(12)$(2,719)$865 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations$(3,954)$(183)$— $(72)$66 $— $— $4,143 $— 
Total Level 3 liabilities (*)$(3,954)$(183)$— $(72)$66 $— $— $4,143 $— 

Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at March 31, 2020Net
earnings (loss)
OCIPurchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Balance at June 30, 2020
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
State and municipal41 — — (1)— — 41 
Residential MBS44 — — (1)— (2)42 
Commercial MBS— — — — — — 
Collateralized loan obligations44 (1)— — — 55 
Other asset-backed securities
238 39 (6)20 — 293 
Corporate and other172 — (4)— — 178 
Total AFS fixed maturities
545 — 47 (12)29 (2)615 
Equity securities155 — — — — 164 
Assets of MIE16 (1)— — — — 17 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations2,797 (2)64 208 (38)125 (110)3,044 
Total Level 3 assets$3,513 $(2)$72 $263 $(50)$156 $(112)$3,840 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations$(3,099)$(601)$— $(46)$71 $— $— $(3,675)
Total Level 3 liabilities (*)$(3,099)$(601)$— $(46)$71 $— $— $(3,675)
(*)As previously discussed, these tables exclude the portion of MIE liabilities allocated to Level 3, which are derived from the fair value of the MIE assets.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at December 31, 2020Net
earnings (loss)
OCIPurchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Sale of annuity businessBalance at June 30, 2021
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
State and municipal39 — — — (3)— — — 36 
Residential MBS38 (3)— (1)(18)— 28 
Commercial MBS— — — — — (2)— — 
Collateralized loan obligations16 (1)— (1)— (9)— 
Other asset-backed securities
305 — 90 (72)14 (23)— 315 
Corporate and other138 (1)(1)106 (20)(5)— 220 
Total AFS fixed maturities538 (3)(1)202 (97)23 (57)— 605 
Equity securities176 71 — 24 (19)— (7)— 245 
Assets of MIE21 — — (12)— 15 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations2,971 85 (21)209 (328)32 (229)(2,719)— 
Total Level 3 assets$3,706 $156 $(22)$437 $(444)$56 $(305)$(2,719)$865 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations$(3,933)$(222)$— $(146)$158 $— $— $4,143 $— 
Total Level 3 liabilities (*)$(3,933)$(222)$— $(146)$158 $— $— $4,143 $— 

Total realized/unrealized
gains (losses) included in
Balance at December 31, 2019Net
earnings (loss)
Other
comprehensive
income (loss)
Purchases
and
issuances
Sales and
settlements
Transfer
into
Level 3
Transfer
out of
Level 3
Balance at June 30, 2020
AFS fixed maturities:
U.S. government agency
$— $— $— $— $— $— $— $— 
State and municipal40 — — (1)— — 41 
Residential MBS45 (1)— (2)(2)42 
Commercial MBS— — — — — — 
Collateralized loan obligations(1)— — 52 — 55 
Other asset-backed securities
256 (5)61 (47)27 — 293 
Corporate and other223 (1)(1)32 (11)(66)178 
Total AFS fixed maturities
571 (6)93 (61)82 (68)615 
Equity securities161 (17)— 11 — — 164 
Assets of MIE17 (2)— — — — 17 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations3,092 (20)20 361 (212)258 (455)3,044 
Total Level 3 assets$3,841 $(45)$24 $465 $(273)$351 $(523)$3,840 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations$(3,730)$46 $— $(124)$133 $— $— $(3,675)
Total Level 3 liabilities (*)$(3,730)$46 $— $(124)$133 $— $— $(3,675)
(*)As previously discussed, these tables exclude the portion of MIE liabilities allocated to Level 3, which are derived from the fair value of the MIE assets.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Fair Value of Financial Instruments   The carrying value and fair value of financial instruments of continuing operations that are not carried at fair value in the financial statements are summarized below (in millions):
CarryingFair Value
ValueTotalLevel 1Level 2Level 3
June 30, 2021
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$3,365 $3,365 $3,365 $— $— 
Mortgage loans461 479 — — 479 
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value
$3,826 $3,844 $3,365 $— $479 
Long-term debt$1,963 $2,294 $— $2,291 $
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value
$1,963 $2,294 $— $2,291 $
December 31, 2020
Financial assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$1,665 $1,665 $1,665 $— $— 
Mortgage loans377 382 — — 382 
Total financial assets not accounted for at fair value
$2,042 $2,047 $1,665 $— $382 
Long-term debt$1,963 $2,325 $— $2,322 $
Total financial liabilities not accounted for at fair value
$1,963 $2,325 $— $2,322 $

F.    Investments

Available for sale fixed maturities held by AFG’s continuing operations at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, consisted of the following (in millions):
Amortized
Cost
Allowance for Expected Credit LossesGross UnrealizedNet
Unrealized
Fair
Value
GainsLosses
June 30, 2021
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$218 $— $$(1)$$221 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
1,967 — 93 — 93 2,060 
Foreign government
206 — — 208 
Residential MBS
747 — 53 (2)51 798 
Commercial MBS
127 — — 130 
Collateralized loan obligations
1,382 (2)1,384 
Other asset-backed securities
2,341 29 (4)25 2,359 
Corporate and other
2,493 83 (3)80 2,572 
Total fixed maturities$9,481 $$272 $(12)$260 $9,732 
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$192 $— $$— $$198 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
2,196 — 116 — 116 2,312 
Foreign government
172 — — 176 
Residential MBS
859 — 57 (1)56 915 
Commercial MBS
89 — — 92 
Collateralized loan obligations
1,065 (4)— 1,062 
Other asset-backed securities
2,040 27 (13)14 2,047 
Corporate and other
2,199 88 (3)85 2,282 
Total fixed maturities$8,812 $12 $305 $(21)$284 $9,084 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

Available for sale fixed maturities that are included in assets of discontinued annuity operations at December 31, 2020, consisted of the following (in millions):
Amortized
Cost
Allowance for Expected Credit LossesGross UnrealizedNet
Unrealized
Fair
Value
GainsLosses
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$39 $— $$— $$44 
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
3,053 — 370 (2)368 3,421 
Foreign government
31 — — 35 
Residential MBS
1,953 194 (4)190 2,140 
Commercial MBS
659 — 40 (1)39 698 
Collateralized loan obligations
3,491 10 23 (13)10 3,491 
Other asset-backed securities
5,098 11 142 (53)89 5,176 
Corporate and other
17,272 1,874 (24)1,850 19,118 
Total fixed maturities$31,596 $28 $2,652 $(97)$2,555 $34,123 

Equity securities held by AFG’s continuing operations, which are reported at fair value with holding gains and losses recognized in net earnings, consisted of the following at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020 (in millions):
June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
Fair ValueFair Value
Actual Costover (under)Actual Costover (under)
Fair ValueCostFair ValueCost
Common stocks$455 $561 $106 $516 $510 $(6)
Perpetual preferred stocks358 404 46 369 379 10 
Total equity securities carried at fair value
$813 $965 $152 $885 $889 $

Investments accounted for using the equity method held by AFG’s continuing operations, by category, carrying value and net investment income are as follows (in millions):
Carrying ValueNet Investment Income
June 30, 2021December 31, 2020Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Real estate-related investments (*)$1,014 $915 $45 $13 $99 $38 
Private equity314 266 24 (13)45 (17)
Private debt50 54 (6)(4)
Total investments accounted for using the equity method$1,378 $1,235 $71 $(6)$149 $17 
(*)Includes 88% invested in multi-family properties, 2% in single family properties and 10% in other property types as of June 30, 2021 and 87% invested in multi-family properties, 2% in single family properties and 11% in other property types as of December 31, 2020.

The earnings (losses) from these investments are generally reported on a three-month lag due to the timing required to obtain the necessary information from the funds. AFG regularly reviews and discusses fund performance with the fund managers to corroborate the reasonableness of the underlying reported asset values and to assess whether any events have occurred within the lag period that may materially affect the valuation of these investments.

With respect to partnerships and similar investments, AFG’s continuing operations had unfunded commitments of $275 million and $290 million as of June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively.

Assets of discontinued annuity operations includes investments accounted for under the equity method of $646 million as of December 31, 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The following table shows gross unrealized losses (dollars in millions) on available for sale fixed maturities held by AFG’s continuing operations by investment category and length of time that individual securities have been in a continuous unrealized loss position at the following balance sheet dates.
Less Than Twelve MonthsTwelve Months or More
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value
Fair Value as
% of Cost
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value
Fair Value as
% of Cost
June 30, 2021
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$(1)$109 99 %$— $— — %
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
— 100 %— 17 100 %
Foreign government— 35 100 %— — — %
Residential MBS(1)82 99 %(1)10 91 %
Commercial MBS— — — %— — — %
Collateralized loan obligations(1)297 100 %(1)235 100 %
Other asset-backed securities(1)288 100 %(3)92 97 %
Corporate and other(2)119 98 %(1)55 98 %
Total fixed maturities$(6)$936 99 %$(6)$409 99 %
December 31, 2020
Fixed maturities:
U.S. Government and government agencies
$— $23 100 %$— $— — %
States, municipalities and political subdivisions
— 39 100 %— 10 100 %
Foreign government— 100 %— — — %
Residential MBS(1)86 99 %— 100 %
Commercial MBS— 100 %— 100 %
Collateralized loan obligations(1)192 99 %(3)366 99 %
Other asset-backed securities(10)465 98 %(3)92 97 %
Corporate and other(2)133 99 %(1)17 94 %
Total fixed maturities$(14)$952 99 %$(7)$497 99 %

At June 30, 2021, the gross unrealized losses on fixed maturities of $12 million relate to 366 securities. Investment grade securities (as determined by nationally recognized rating agencies) represented approximately 69% of the gross unrealized loss and 91% of the fair value.

To evaluate fixed maturities for expected credit losses (impairment), management considers whether the unrealized loss is credit-driven or a result of changes in market interest rates, the extent to which fair value is less than cost basis, historical operating, balance sheet and cash flow data from the issuer, third party research and communications with industry specialists and discussions with issuer management.

AFG analyzes its MBS securities for expected credit losses (impairment) each quarter based upon expected future cash flows. Management estimates expected future cash flows based upon its knowledge of the MBS market, cash flow projections (which reflect loan to collateral values, subordination, vintage and geographic concentration) received from independent sources, implied cash flows inherent in security ratings and analysis of historical payment data.

Management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at June 30, 2021.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Credit losses on available for sale fixed maturities are measured based on the present value of expected future cash flows compared to amortized cost. Beginning January 1, 2020, impairment losses are recognized through an allowance instead of directly writing down the amortized cost. Recoveries of previously impaired amounts are recorded as an immediate reversal of all or a portion of the allowance. In addition, the allowance on available for sale fixed maturities cannot cause the amortized cost net of the allowance to be below fair value. Accordingly, future changes in the fair value of an impaired security (when the allowance was limited by the fair value) due to reasons other than issuer credit (e.g. changes in market interest rates) result in increases or decreases in the allowance, which are recorded through realized gains (losses) on securities. A progression of the allowance for expected credit losses on fixed maturity securities held by AFG’s continuing operations is shown below (in millions):
Structured
Securities (*)
Corporate and OtherTotal
Balance at March 31, 2021$$$10 
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration— — — 
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance— — — 
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses(1)— 
Reductions due to sales or redemptions— (1)(1)
Balance at June 30, 2021$$$
Balance at March 31, 2020$11 $$14 
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration— — — 
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses(1)(1)(2)
Reductions due to sales or redemptions— — — 
Balance at June 30, 2020$11 $$14 
Balance at January 1, 2021$10 $$12 
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration— — — 
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance— — — 
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses(2)(1)
Reductions due to sales or redemptions— (2)(2)
Balance at June 30, 2021$$$
Balance at January 1, 2020$— $— $— 
Impact of adoption of new accounting policy— — — 
Initial allowance for purchased securities with credit deterioration— — — 
Provision for expected credit losses on securities with no previous allowance12 16 
Additions (reductions) to previously recognized expected credit losses(1)(1)(2)
Reductions due to sales or redemptions— — — 
Balance at June 30, 2020$11 $$14 
(*)Includes mortgage-backed securities, collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities.

In the second quarter and first six months of 2021 and 2020, AFG’s continuing operations did not purchase any securities with expected credit losses.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturities as of June 30, 2021 (dollars in millions). Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
AmortizedFair Value
Cost, net (*)Amount%
Maturity
One year or less$1,045 $1,059 11 %
After one year through five years2,553 2,656 27 %
After five years through ten years1,002 1,053 11 %
After ten years283 293 %
4,883 5,061 52 %
Collateralized loan obligations and other ABS (average life of approximately 3-1/2 years)3,715 3,743 38 %
MBS (average life of approximately 3 years)874 928 10 %
Total$9,472 $9,732 100 %
(*)Amortized cost, net of allowance for expected credit losses.

Certain risks are inherent in fixed maturity securities, including loss upon default, price volatility in reaction to changes in interest rates, and general market factors and risks associated with reinvestment of proceeds due to prepayments or redemptions in a period of declining interest rates.
There were no investments in individual issuers that exceeded 10% of shareholders’ equity at June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Net Unrealized Gain on Fixed Maturity Securities   The following table shows (in millions) the components of the net unrealized gain on securities that is included in AOCI in AFG’s Balance Sheet.
PretaxDeferred TaxNet
June 30, 2021
Net unrealized gain on fixed maturities$260 $(55)$205 
December 31, 2020
Net unrealized gain on fixed maturities held by continuing operations$284 $(60)$224 
Discontinued operations (*):
Net unrealized gain on fixed maturities$2,555 $(536)$2,019 
Deferred policy acquisition costs — annuity segment(934)196 (738)
Annuity benefits accumulated(324)68 (256)
Life, accident and health reserves(3)— (3)
Unearned revenue11 (2)
Total net unrealized gain from discontinued operations1,305 (274)1,031 
Total net unrealized gain on fixed maturity securities$1,589 $(334)$1,255 
(*)In addition to adjusting fixed maturity securities classified as “available for sale” to fair value, GAAP requires that deferred policy acquisition costs and certain other balance sheet amounts related to AFG’s discontinued annuity, long-term care and life businesses be adjusted to the extent that unrealized gains and losses from securities would result in adjustments to those balances had the unrealized gains or losses actually been realized.

Net Investment Income   The following table shows (in millions) investment income earned and investment expenses incurred in AFG’s continuing operations.
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Investment income:
Fixed maturities$72 $77 $144 $159 
Equity securities:
Dividends15 18 
Change in fair value (a) (b)34 (8)
Equity in earnings of partnerships and similar investments
71 (6)149 17 
Other14 
Gross investment income166 89 356 195 
Investment expenses(2)(1)(4)(3)
Net investment income (b)$164 $88 $352 $192 
(a)Although the change in the fair value of the majority of AFG’s equity securities is recorded in realized gains (losses) on securities, AFG records holding gains and losses in net investment income on equity securities classified as “trading” under previous guidance and on a small portfolio of limited partnership and similar investments that do not qualify for the equity method of accounting.
(b)Net investment income in the second quarter and first six months of 2020 includes income of less than $1 million and losses of $6 million on investments held by the companies that comprise the Neon exited lines due primarily to the $7 million loss recorded on equity securities that are carried at fair value through net investment income.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Realized gains (losses) and changes in unrealized appreciation (depreciation) from continuing operations included in AOCI related to fixed maturity securities are summarized as follows (in millions):
Three months ended June 30, 2021Three months ended June 30, 2020
Realized gains (losses)Realized gains (losses)
Before ImpairmentsImpairment AllowanceTotalChange in UnrealizedBefore ImpairmentsImpairment AllowanceTotalChange in Unrealized
Fixed maturities$$— $$20 $$— $$257 
Equity securities42 — 42 — 107 — 107 — 
Mortgage loans and other investments
— — — — — — — — 
Total pretax43 — 43 20 108 — 108 257 
Tax effects(9)— (9)(4)(23)— (23)(54)
Net of tax
$34 $— $34 $16 $85 $— $85 $203 
Six months ended June 30, 2021Six months ended June 30, 2020
Realized gains (losses)Realized gains (losses)
Before ImpairmentsImpairment AllowanceTotalChange in UnrealizedBefore ImpairmentsImpairment AllowanceTotalChange in Unrealized
Fixed maturities$— $$$(24)$$(14)$(10)$(20)
Equity securities119 — 119 — (211)— (211)— 
Mortgage loans and other investments
— — — — — — 
Total pretax119 120 (24)(206)(14)(220)(20)
Tax effects(25)— (25)43 46 
Net of tax
$94 $$95 $(19)$(163)$(11)$(174)$(16)

All equity securities other than those accounted for under the equity method are carried at fair value through net earnings. AFG recorded net holding gains (losses) on equity securities from continuing operations during the second quarter and first six months of 2021 and 2020 on securities that were still owned at June 30, 2021 and June 30, 2020 as follows (in millions):
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Included in realized gains (losses)$36 $86 $98 $(206)
Included in net investment income34 (1)
$44 $95 $132 $(207)

Gross realized gains and losses (excluding changes in impairment allowance and mark-to-market of derivatives) on available for sale fixed maturity investment transactions from continuing operations consisted of the following (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Gross gains$$
Gross losses(1)(3)

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
G.    Managed Investment Entities

AFG is the investment manager and its subsidiaries have investments ranging from 4.5% to 46.8% of the most subordinate debt tranche of twelve active collateralized loan obligation entities (“CLOs”), which are considered variable interest entities. AFG also owns portions of the senior debt tranches of certain of these CLOs. Upon formation between 2012 and 2020, these entities issued securities in various senior and subordinate classes and invested the proceeds primarily in secured bank loans, which serve as collateral for the debt securities issued by each CLO. None of the collateral was purchased from AFG. AFG’s investments in the subordinate debt tranches of these entities receive residual income from the CLOs only after the CLOs pay expenses (including management fees to AFG) and interest on and returns of capital to senior levels of debt securities. There are no contractual requirements for AFG to provide additional funding for these entities. AFG has not provided and does not intend to provide any financial support to these entities.

AFG’s maximum exposure to economic loss on the CLOs that it manages is limited to its investment in those CLOs, which had an aggregate fair value of $57 million (including $45 million invested in the most subordinate tranches) at June 30, 2021, and $200 million at December 31, 2020.

During the first six months of 2020, AFG subsidiaries purchased $57 million face amount of senior and subordinate tranches of existing CLOs for $39 million. During the first six months of 2021 and 2020, AFG subsidiaries received $38 million and less than $1 million, respectively, in sale and redemption proceeds from its CLO investments.

The revenues and expenses of the CLOs are separately identified in AFG’s Statement of Earnings, after the elimination of management fees and earnings attributable to shareholders of AFG as measured by the change in the fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs. Selected financial information related to the CLOs is shown below (in millions):
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Investment in CLO tranches at end of period:
Held by continuing operations$57 $39 $57 $39 
Held by discontinued annuity operations— 118 — 118 
Total$57 $157 $57 $157 
Gains (losses) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities (*):
Assets$21 $363 $67 $(316)
Liabilities(15)(366)(59)300 
Management fees paid to AFG
CLO earnings (losses) attributable to AFG shareholders:
From continuing operations$$— $12 $(11)
From discontinued annuity operations20 (23)
Total$14 $$32 $(34)
(*)Included in revenues in AFG’s Statement of Earnings.

The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ fixed maturity investments exceeded the fair value of the investments by $69 million and $150 million at June 30, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively. The aggregate unpaid principal balance of the CLOs’ debt exceeded its carrying value by $182 million and $141 million at those dates. The CLO assets include loans with an aggregate fair value of $5 million at June 30, 2021 and $11 million at December 31, 2020, for which the CLOs are not accruing interest because the loans are in default (aggregate unpaid principal balance of $15 million at June 30, 2021 and $28 million at December 31, 2020).

In addition to the CLOs that it manages, AFG’s continuing operations had investments in CLOs that are managed by third parties (therefore not consolidated), which are included in available for sale fixed maturity securities and had a fair value of $1.38 billion at June 30, 2021 and $1.06 billion at December 31, 2020.

H.    Goodwill and Other Intangibles

There were no changes in the goodwill balance from AFG’s continuing operations of $176 million during the first six months of 2021.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Included in other assets in AFG’s Balance Sheet is $30 million at June 30, 2021 and $34 million at December 31, 2020 in amortizable intangible assets related to property and casualty insurance acquisitions. These amounts are net of accumulated amortization of $65 million and $62 million, respectively. Amortization of intangibles was $1 million and $3 million in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively, and $4 million and $6 million in the first six months of 2021 and 2020, respectively.

I.    Long-Term Debt

Long-term debt consisted of the following (in millions):
June 30, 2021December 31, 2020
PrincipalDiscount and Issue CostsCarrying ValuePrincipalDiscount and Issue CostsCarrying Value
Direct Senior Obligations of AFG:
4.50% Senior Notes due June 2047
$590 $(2)$588 $590 $(2)$588 
3.50% Senior Notes due August 2026
425 (3)422 425 (3)422 
5.25% Senior Notes due April 2030
300 (6)294 300 (6)294 
Other— — 
1,318 (11)1,307 1,318 (11)1,307 
Direct Subordinated Obligations of AFG:
4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 2060
200 (5)195 200 (5)195 
5.125% Subordinate Debentures due December 2059
200 (6)194 200 (6)194 
5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 2060
150 (4)146 150 (4)146 
5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 2059
125 (4)121 125 (4)121 
675 (19)656 675 (19)656 
$1,993 $(30)$1,963 $1,993 $(30)$1,963 

Scheduled principal payments on debt for the balance of 2021, the subsequent five years and thereafter are as follows: 2021 — none; 2022 — none; 2023 — none; 2024 — none; 2025 — none; 2026 — $425 million and thereafter — $1.57 billion.

AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2025. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. No amounts were borrowed under this facility at June 30, 2021 or December 31, 2020.

J.    Shareholders’ Equity

AFG is authorized to issue 12.5 million shares of Voting Preferred Stock and 12.5 million shares of Nonvoting Preferred Stock, each without par value.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income, Net of Tax (“AOCI”)   Comprehensive income is defined as all changes in shareholders’ equity except those arising from transactions with shareholders. Comprehensive income includes net earnings and other comprehensive income, which consists primarily of changes in net unrealized gains or losses on available for sale securities.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
The progression of the components of accumulated other comprehensive income follows (in millions):
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI
Beginning
Balance
PretaxTaxNet
of
tax
Attributable to
noncontrolling
interests
Attributable to
shareholders
AOCI
Ending
Balance
Quarter ended June 30, 2021
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains (losses) on securities arising during the period$168 $(35)$133 $— $133 
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*)(9)(7)— (7)
Reclassification for unrealized gains on securities of subsidiaries sold
(1,119)235 (884)— (884)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
$963 (960)202 (758)— (758)$205 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedges arising during the period(1)— 
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings from discontinued operations(5)(4)— (4)
Reclassification for unrealized gains on cash flow hedges of subsidiaries sold
(37)(29)— (29)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges27 (35)(27)— (27)— 
Foreign currency translation adjustments(16)— — — — — (16)
Pension and other postretirement plans (“OPRP”) adjustments:
Unrealized holding losses on pension and OPRP arising during the period(1)— (1)— (1)
Reclassification adjustment for pension settlement loss included in other expense in net earnings11 (2)— 
Total Pension and OPRP adjustments(7)10 (2)— 
Total$967 $(985)$208 $(777)$— $(777)$190 
Quarter ended June 30, 2020
Net unrealized gains on securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period
$1,293 $(272)$1,021 $— $1,021 
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*)(9)(7)— (7)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
$16 1,284 (270)1,014 — 1,014 $1,030 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedges arising during the period16 (4)12 — 12 
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings from discontinued operations(12)(9)— (9)
Total net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges44 (1)— 47 
Foreign currency translation adjustments(21)— — (17)
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
(7)— — — — — (7)
Total
$32 $1,292 $(271)$1,021 $— $1,021 $1,053 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
AOCI
Beginning
Balance
PretaxTaxNet
of
tax
Attributable to
noncontrolling
interests
Attributable to
shareholders
AOCI
Ending
Balance
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period$(187)$39 $(148)$— $(148)
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*)(23)(18)— (18)
Reclassification for unrealized gains of subsidiaries sold
(1,119)235 (884)— (884)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
$1,255 (1,329)279 (1,050)— (1,050)$205 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding losses on cash flow hedges arising during the period(1)— (1)— (1)
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings from discontinued operations(14)(11)— (11)
Reclassification for unrealized gains on cash flow hedges of subsidiaries sold
(37)(29)— (29)
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges41 (52)11 (41)— (41)— 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(16)— — — — — (16)
Pension and OPRP adjustments:
Unrealized holding losses on pension and OPRP arising during the period(1)— (1)— (1)
Reclassification adjustment for pension settlement loss included in other expense in net earnings11 (2)— 
Total Pension and OPRP adjustments(7)10 (2)— 
Total$1,273 $(1,371)$288 $(1,083)$— $(1,083)$190 
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Net unrealized gains (losses) on securities:
Unrealized holding gains on securities arising during the period$198 $(42)$156 $— $156 
Reclassification adjustment for realized (gains) losses included in net earnings (*)15 (3)12 — 12 
Total net unrealized gains (losses) on securities
$862 213 (45)168 — 168 $1,030 
Net unrealized gains (losses) on cash flow hedges:
Unrealized holding gains on cash flow hedges arising during the period61 (13)48 — 48 
Reclassification adjustment for investment income included in net earnings from discontinued operations(23)(18)— (18)
Total net unrealized gains on cash flow hedges1738 (8)30 — 30 47 
Foreign currency translation adjustments
(9)(6)— (6)(2)(8)(17)
Pension and other postretirement plans adjustments
(7)— — — — — (7)
Total
$863 $245 $(53)$192 $(2)$190 $1,053 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
(*)The reclassification adjustment out of net unrealized gains (losses) on securities affected the following lines in AFG’s Statement of Earnings:
OCI componentAffected line in the statement of earnings
Pretax - continuing operationsRealized gains (losses) on securities
Pretax - discontinued operationsNet earnings (loss) from discontinued operations
Tax - continuing operationsProvision (credit) for income taxes
Tax - discontinued operationsNet earnings (loss) from discontinued operations

Stock Incentive Plans   Under AFG’s stock incentive plans, employees of AFG and its subsidiaries are eligible to receive equity awards in the form of stock options, stock appreciation rights, restricted stock awards, restricted stock units and stock awards. In the first six months of 2021, AFG issued 207,020 shares of restricted Common Stock (fair value of $111.13 per share) under the Stock Incentive Plan.

Total compensation expense related to stock incentive plans of AFG and its subsidiaries was $2 million and $4 million in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 and $7 million and $9 million in the first six months of 2021 and 2020.

K.    Income Taxes

The following is a reconciliation of income taxes on continuing operations at the statutory rate of 21% to the provision for income taxes as shown in AFG’s Statement of Earnings (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Amount% of EBTAmount% of EBTAmount% of EBTAmount% of EBT
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes (“EBT”)$288 $140 $623 $(45)
Income taxes at statutory rate$61 21 %$30 21 %$131 21 %$(9)21 %
Effect of:
Stock-based compensation(8)(3 %)— — %(10)(2 %)(3)%
Employee stock ownership plan dividend paid deduction(8)(3 %)— — %(8)(1 %)— — %
Tax exempt interest(2)(1 %)(3)(2 %)(4)(1 %)(5)11 %
Dividends received deduction(1)— %— — %(1)— %(1)%
Foreign operations(1)— %— — %(2)— %(2 %)
Nondeductible expenses
%%%(4 %)
Change in valuation allowance%%— %11 (25 %)
Other%— — %%— (1 %)
Provision (credit) for income taxes as shown in the statement of earnings$48 17 %$37 26 %$116 19 %$(4)%

Approximately $27 million of AFG’s net operating loss carryforwards (“NOL”) subject to separate return limitation year (“SRLY”) tax rules will expire unutilized at December 31, 2021. Since AFG maintains a full valuation allowance against its SRLY NOLs, the expiration of these loss carryforwards will be offset by a corresponding reduction in the valuation allowance and will have no overall impact on AFG’s income tax expense or results of operations.

L.    Contingencies

There have been no significant changes to the matters discussed and referred to in Note N — “Contingencies” of AFG’s 2020 Form 10-K, which covers property and casualty insurance reserves for claims related to environmental exposures, asbestos and other mass tort claims and environmental and occupational injury and disease claims of subsidiaries’ former railroad and manufacturing operations.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
M.    Insurance

Property and Casualty Insurance Reserves The following table provides an analysis of changes in the liability for losses and loss adjustment expenses during the first six months of 2021 and 2020 (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Balance at beginning of year$10,392 $10,232 
Less reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance3,117 3,024 
Net liability at beginning of year7,275 7,208 
Provision for losses and LAE occurring in the current period1,507 1,597 
Net decrease in the provision for claims of prior years(126)(119)
Total losses and LAE incurred1,381 1,478 
Payments for losses and LAE of:
Current year(258)(284)
Prior years(1,083)(1,068)
Total payments(1,341)(1,352)
Foreign currency translation and other(20)
Net liability at end of period7,316 7,314 
Add back reinsurance recoverables, net of allowance3,182 3,007 
Gross unpaid losses and LAE included in the balance sheet at end of period$10,498 $10,321 

The net decrease in the provision for claims of prior years during the first six months of 2021 reflects (i) lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business and lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business (within the Property and transportation sub-segment), (ii) lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and (iii) lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety business and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business (within the Specialty financial sub-segment). This favorable development was partially offset by (i) higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the equine business (within the Property and transportation sub-segment) and (ii) higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability, targeted markets and professional liability businesses (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment).

The net decrease in the provision for claims of prior years during the first six months of 2020 reflects (i) lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the agricultural and transportation businesses (within the Property and transportation sub-segment), (ii) lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the executive liability business (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and (iii) lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit and surety businesses (within the Specialty financial sub-segment). This favorable development was partially offset by higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess and surplus lines businesses (within the Specialty casualty sub-segment) and higher than expected losses at Neon.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
NOTES TO CONSOLIDATED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS — CONTINUED
Recoverables from Reinsurers and Premiums Receivable Progressions of the 2021 and 2020 allowance for expected credit losses on recoverables from reinsurers and premiums receivable related to continuing operations are shown below (in millions):
Recoverables from ReinsurersPremiums Receivable
2021202020212020
Balance at March 31$$$11 $
Provision (credit) for expected credit losses— (2)
Write-offs charged against the allowance— — — — 
Balance at June 30$$$$10 
Balance at January 1$$18 $10 $13 
Impact of adoption of new accounting policy— (11)— (3)
Provision (credit) for expected credit losses— (1)— 
Write-offs charged against the allowance— — — — 
Balance at June 30$$$$10 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 2. Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations
INDEX TO MD&A
PagePage

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a safe harbor for forward-looking statements. Some of the forward-looking statements can be identified by the use of words such as “anticipates”, “believes”, “expects”, “projects”, “estimates”, “intends”, “plans”, “seeks”, “could”, “may”, “should”, “will” or the negative version of those words or other comparable terminology. Such forward-looking statements include statements relating to: expectations concerning market and other conditions and their effect on future premiums, revenues, earnings, investment activities, and the amount and timing of share repurchases; 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:
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;
the effects of the COVID-19 outbreak, including the effects on the international and national economy and credit markets, legislative or regulatory developments affecting the insurance industry, quarantines or other travel or health-related restrictions;
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; and
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
the impact of the conditions in the international financial markets and the global economy relating to AFG’s international operations.

The forward-looking statements herein are made only as of the date of this report. The Company assumes no obligation to publicly update any forward-looking statements.
OVERVIEW

Financial Condition
AFG is organized as a holding company with almost all of its operations being conducted by subsidiaries. AFG, however, has continuing cash needs for administrative expenses, the payment of principal and interest on borrowings, shareholder dividends, and taxes. Therefore, certain analyses are most meaningfully presented on a parent only basis while others are best done on a total enterprise basis. In addition, because most of its businesses are financial in nature, AFG does not prepare its consolidated financial statements using a current-noncurrent format. Consequently, certain traditional ratios and financial analysis tests are not meaningful.

Sale of the Annuity Business
On May 28, 2021, AFG sold its annuity business consisting of Great American Life Insurance Company (“GALIC”) and its two insurance subsidiaries, Annuity Investors Life Insurance Company and Manhattan National Life Insurance Company, as well as a broker-dealer affiliate, Great American Advisors, Inc., and insurance distributor, AAG Insurance Agency, Inc. to Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company (“MassMutual”). Total proceeds from the sale were $3.57 billion. AFG realized an after-tax non-core gain on the sale of $697 million ($8.14 per share) in the second quarter of 2021. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021 the results of the annuity businesses sold are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles (“GAAP”), which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued.

Results of Operations
Through the operations of its subsidiaries, AFG is engaged primarily in property and casualty insurance, focusing on specialized commercial products for businesses. As discussed above, AFG’s former annuity operations are reported as discontinued operations.

AFG reported net earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of $240 million ($2.81 per share, diluted) for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $113 million ($1.26 per share, diluted) for the second quarter of 2020, reflecting higher underwriting profit and net investment income, partially offset by lower net realized gains on securities and higher holding company expenses.

AFG reported net earnings from continuing operations attributable to shareholders of $507 million ($5.90 per share, diluted) for the first six months of 2021 compared to a net loss of $28 million ($0.31 per share, diluted) for the first six months of 2020 reflecting net realized gains on securities compared to net realized losses in 2020 and higher underwriting profit and net investment income, partially offset by higher interest charges on borrowed money and holding company expenses.

Outlook
The COVID-19 pandemic began to have a significant impact on global, social and economic activity during the first quarter of 2020. AFG has taken actions under its business continuity plan to minimize risk to the Company’s employees and to prevent any significant disruption to AFG’s business, agents or policyholders.

Management believes that AFG’s strong financial position and current liquidity and capital at its subsidiaries will give AFG the flexibility to continue to effectively address and respond to the ongoing uncertainties presented by the pandemic. Even with management’s expectation that the impacts of the pandemic will continue throughout 2021, AFG’s insurance subsidiaries have capital at or in excess of the levels required by ratings agencies in order to maintain their current ratings, and the parent company does not have any near-term debt maturities.

As a result of the contracted economy, exposures in many of AFG’s property and casualty businesses changed due to workforce reduction, fewer miles driven and reduced revenue. This has and may continue to lead to lower frequency in certain lines while there has and may continue to be COVID-19 related increases in claim frequency in other lines of business.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

There is also uncertainty as to potential government decree or legislation that could alter the coverage landscape, such as the imposition of retroactive business interruption insurance. Like most of the insurance industry, AFG’s business interruption coverages require direct physical damage to covered property for business interruption coverage to apply and the vast majority of AFG’s property policies also contain virus exclusions.

CRITICAL ACCOUNTING POLICIES

Significant accounting policies are summarized in Note A — “Accounting Policies” to the financial statements. The preparation of financial statements in conformity with GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that can have a significant effect on amounts reported in the financial statements. As more information becomes known, these estimates and assumptions change and, thus, impact amounts reported in the future. The areas related to AFG’s continuing operations where management believes the degree of judgment required to determine amounts recorded in the financial statements is most significant are as follows:
the establishment of insurance reserves, especially asbestos and environmental-related reserves,
the recoverability of reinsurance,
the establishment of asbestos and environmental reserves of former railroad and manufacturing operations, and
the valuation of investments, including the determination of impairment allowances.

For a discussion of these policies, see Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Critical Accounting Policies” in AFG’s 2020 Form 10-K.

LIQUIDITY AND CAPITAL RESOURCES

Ratios
AFG’s debt to total capital ratio on a consolidated basis is shown below (dollars in millions):
June 30, 2021December 31,
20202019
Principal amount of long-term debt$1,993 $1,993 $1,493 
Total capital7,389 7,486 6,883 
Ratio of debt to total capital:
Including subordinated debt27.0 %26.6 %21.7 %
Excluding subordinated debt17.8 %17.6 %14.8 %

The ratio of debt to total capital is a non-GAAP measure that management believes is useful for investors, analysts and ratings agencies to evaluate AFG’s financial strength and liquidity and to provide insight into how AFG finances its operations. In addition, maintaining a ratio of debt, excluding subordinated debt and debt secured by real estate (if any), to total capital of 35% or lower is a financial covenant in AFG’s bank credit facility. The ratio is calculated by dividing the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt by its total capital, which includes long-term debt, noncontrolling interests and shareholders’ equity (excluding unrealized gains (losses) related to fixed maturity investments).

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Condensed Consolidated Cash Flows
AFG’s principal sources of cash include insurance premiums, income from its investment portfolio and proceeds from the maturities, redemptions and sales of investments. Insurance premiums in excess of acquisition expenses and operating costs are invested until they are needed to meet policyholder obligations or made available to the parent company through dividends to cover debt obligations and corporate expenses, and to provide returns to shareholders through share repurchases and dividends. Cash flows from operating, investing and financing activities as detailed in AFG’s Consolidated Statement of Cash Flows are shown below (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Net cash provided by operating activities$970 $1,087 
Net cash provided by (used in) investing activities661 (1,296)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities(1,076)593 
Net change in cash and cash equivalents$555 $384 

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities   AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as premiums collected and investment income exceed policy acquisition costs, claims payments and operating expenses. AFG’s net cash provided by operating activities is impacted by the level and timing of property and casualty premiums, claim and expense payments and recoveries from reinsurers. AFG’s discontinued annuity operations typically produce positive net operating cash flows as investment income exceeds acquisition costs and operating expenses. Interest credited on annuity policyholder funds is a non-cash increase in AFG’s annuity benefits accumulated liability and annuity premiums, benefits and withdrawals are considered financing activities due to the deposit-type nature of annuities. Cash flows provided by operating activities also include the activity of AFG’s managed investment entities (collateralized loan obligations (“CLO”)) other than those activities included in investing or financing activities. The changes in the assets and liabilities of the managed investment entities included in operating activities reduced cash flows from operating activities by $22 million during the first six months of 2021 and increased cash flows from operating activities by $116 million in the first six months of 2020, accounting for a $138 million decline in cash flows from operating activities in the 2021 period compared to the 2020 period. As discussed in Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements, AFG has no right to use the CLO assets and no obligation to pay the CLO liabilities and such assets and liabilities are shown separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Excluding the impact of the managed investment entities, net cash provided by operating activities was $992 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $971 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $21 million.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities   AFG’s investing activities consist primarily of the investment of funds provided by its property and casualty businesses and discontinued annuity operations. In May 2021, AFG sold its annuity business to MassMutual for initial cash proceeds of $3.54 billion. This increase in cash provided by investing activities was partially offset by a decrease in cash and cash equivalents of $2.06 billion representing balances held in the annuity subsidiaries that were sold. Excluding the impact of the May 2021 sale of the annuity business, net cash used in investing activities was $816 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $1.30 billion in the first six months of 2020, a decrease of $480 million. As discussed below (under net cash provided by (used in) financing activities), AFG’s discontinued annuity operations had net cash flows from annuity policyholders of $477 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $406 million in the first six months of 2020. In addition to the investment of funds provided by the insurance operations, investing activities also include the purchase and disposal of managed investment entity investments, which are presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Net investment activity in the managed investment entities was a $74 million source of cash in the first six months of 2021 compared to a $63 million use of cash in the 2020 period, accounting for a $137 million decrease in net cash used in investing activities in the first six months of 2021 compared to the same 2020 period. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.

Net Cash Provided by (Used in) Financing Activities   AFG’s financing activities consist primarily of transactions with annuity policyholders, issuances and retirements of long-term debt, issuances and repurchases of common stock, and dividend payments. Net cash used in financing activities was $1.08 billion for the first six months of 2021 compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $593 million in the first six months of 2020, a decrease in net cash provided by financing activities of $1.67 billion. Net annuity receipts exceeded annuity surrenders, benefits, withdrawals and transfers by $477 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $406 million in the first six months of 2020, accounting for a $71 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in the 2021 period compared to the 2020 period. In May 2020, AFG issued $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in 2060 and in April 2020,
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in 2030. The net proceeds of these offerings contributed $439 million to net cash provided by financing activities in the first six months of 2020. During the first six months of 2021, AFG repurchased $306 million of its Common Stock compared to $137 million in the 2020 period. In addition to its regular quarterly cash dividends, AFG paid a special cash dividend of $14.00 per share in June 2021 totaling $1.19 billion, which resulted in total cash dividends of $1.27 billion in the first six months of 2021 compared to $81 million in the first six months of 2020. Financing activities also include issuances and retirements of managed investment entity liabilities, which are nonrecourse to AFG and presented separately in AFG’s Balance Sheet. Retirements of managed investment entity liabilities exceeded issuances by $28 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $46 million in the first six months of 2020, accounting for a $18 million increase in net cash provided by financing activities in the 2021 period compared to the 2020 period. See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements.

Parent and Subsidiary Liquidity

Parent Holding Company Liquidity   Management believes AFG has sufficient resources to meet its liquidity requirements. If funds generated from operations, including dividends, tax payments and borrowings from subsidiaries, are insufficient to meet fixed charges in any period, AFG would be required to utilize parent company cash and investments or to generate cash through borrowings, sales of other assets, or similar transactions.

As discussed above, AFG sold its annuity business to MassMutual for proceeds of $3.57 billion (including $32 million in preliminary post-closing adjustments). AFG’s capital and liquidity was significantly enhanced as a result of the transaction. During the first six months of 2021, AFG repurchased 2,674,222 shares of its Common Stock for $306 million and paid a special cash dividend of $14.00 per share in June totaling approximately $1.19 billion. On August 2, 2021, AFG paid an additional special cash dividend of $2.00 per share of AFG Common Stock totaling approximately $170 million. Management will continue to evaluate opportunities for deploying AFG’s significant remaining excess capital, including returning capital to shareholders in the form of regular and special cash dividends and through opportunistic share repurchases. In addition, excess capital will be deployed into AFG’s core businesses as management identifies the potential for healthy, profitable organic growth, and opportunities to expand the Specialty property and casualty niche businesses through acquisitions and start-ups that meet target return thresholds.

In 2020, AFG repurchased 4,531,394 shares of its Common Stock for $313 million and paid a special cash dividend of $2.00 per share of AFG Common Stock in December totaling approximately $173 million.

In 2020, AFG issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes due in April 2030, $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures due in June 2060 and $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures due in September 2060 to increase liquidity and provide flexibility at the parent holding company in its response to the uncertainties of the economic environment. The net proceeds from the offerings were used for general corporate purposes, which included repurchases of outstanding common shares and the November 2020 redemption of AFG’s $150 million outstanding principal amount of 6% Subordinated Debentures due in November 2055 at par value.

AFG can borrow up to $500 million under its revolving credit facility, which expires in December 2025. Amounts borrowed under this agreement bear interest at rates ranging from 1.00% to 1.875% (currently 1.375%) over LIBOR based on AFG’s credit rating. The credit facility also includes provisions relating to the replacement of LIBOR with different floating rates in the event of the discontinuance of LIBOR. There were no borrowings under this agreement, or under any other parent company short-term borrowing arrangements, during 2020 or the first six months of 2021.

Under a tax allocation agreement with AFG, its 80%-owned U.S. subsidiaries generally pay taxes to (or recover taxes from) AFG based on each subsidiary’s contribution to amounts due under AFG’s consolidated tax return.

Subsidiary Liquidity   The liquidity requirements of AFG’s insurance subsidiaries relate primarily to the policyholder claims and underwriting expenses and payments of dividends and taxes to AFG. Historically, cash flows from premiums and investment income have generally provided more than sufficient funds to meet these requirements. Funds received in excess of cash requirements are generally invested in additional marketable securities. In addition, the insurance subsidiaries generally hold a significant amount of highly liquid, short duration investments.

The excess cash flow of AFG’s property and casualty group allows it to extend the duration of its investment portfolio somewhat beyond that of its claim reserves.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG believes its insurance subsidiaries maintain sufficient liquidity to pay claims and underwriting expenses. In addition, these subsidiaries have sufficient capital to meet commitments in the event of unforeseen events such as reserve deficiencies, inadequate premium rates or reinsurer insolvencies. Even in the current uncertain COVID-19 environment, management believes that the capital levels in AFG’s insurance subsidiaries are adequate to maintain its business and rating agency ratings. Nonetheless, changes in statutory accounting rules, significant declines in the fair value of the insurance subsidiaries’ investment portfolios or significant ratings downgrades on these investments, could create a need for additional capital.

Investments
AFG’s investment portfolio at June 30, 2021, contained $9.73 billion in fixed maturity securities classified as available for sale and carried at fair value with unrealized gains and losses included in accumulated other comprehensive income and $26 million in fixed maturities classified as trading with holding gains and losses included in net investment income. In addition, AFG’s investment portfolio includes $708 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in realized gains (losses) on securities and $257 million in equity securities carried at fair value with holding gains and losses included in net investment income.

Fair values for AFG’s portfolio are determined by AFG’s internal investment professionals using data from nationally recognized pricing services as well as non-binding broker quotes. Fair values of equity securities are generally based on published closing prices. For AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio, approximately 84% was priced using pricing services at June 30, 2021 and the balance was priced primarily by using non-binding broker quotes. When prices obtained for the same security vary, AFG’s internal investment professionals select the price they believe is most indicative of an exit price.

The pricing services use a variety of observable inputs to estimate fair value of fixed maturities that do not trade on a daily basis. Based upon information provided by the pricing services, these inputs include, but are not limited to, recent reported trades, benchmark yields, issuer spreads, bids or offers, reference data, and measures of volatility. Included in the pricing of mortgage-backed securities (“MBS”) are estimates of the rate of future prepayments and defaults of principal over the remaining life of the underlying collateral. Due to the lack of transparency in the process that brokers use to develop prices, valuations that are based on brokers’ prices are classified as Level 3 in the GAAP hierarchy unless the price can be corroborated, for example, by comparison to similar securities priced using observable inputs.

Valuation techniques utilized by pricing services and prices obtained from external sources are reviewed by AFG’s internal investment professionals who are familiar with the securities being priced and the markets in which they trade to ensure the fair value determination is representative of an exit price. To validate the appropriateness of the prices obtained, these investment managers consider widely published indices (as benchmarks), recent trades, changes in interest rates, general economic conditions and the credit quality of the specific issuers. In addition, AFG communicates directly with pricing services regarding the methods and assumptions used in pricing, including verifying, on a test basis, the inputs used by the services to value specific securities.

In general, the fair value of AFG’s fixed maturity investments is inversely correlated to changes in interest rates. The following table demonstrates the sensitivity of such fair values to reasonably likely changes in interest rates by illustrating the estimated effect on AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio that an immediate increase of 100 basis points in the interest rate yield curve would have at June 30, 2021 (dollars in millions). Effects of increases or decreases from the 100 basis points illustrated would be approximately proportional.

Fair value of fixed maturity portfolio$9,758 
Percentage impact on fair value of 100 bps increase in interest rates(2.5 %)
Pretax impact on fair value of fixed maturity portfolio$(244)
Approximately 88% of the fixed maturities at June 30, 2021, were rated “investment grade” (credit rating of AAA to BBB) by nationally recognized rating agencies, 4% were rated “non-investment grade” and 8% were not rated. Investment grade securities generally bear lower yields and lower degrees of risk than those that are unrated and non-investment grade. Management believes that the high-quality investment portfolio should generate a stable and predictable investment return.
Municipal bonds represented approximately 22% of AFG’s fixed maturity portfolio at June 30, 2021. AFG’s municipal bond portfolio is high quality, with 99% of the securities rated investment grade at that date. The portfolio is well diversified across the states of issuance and individual issuers. At June 30, 2021, approximately 90% of the municipal bond portfolio was held in revenue bonds, with the remaining 10% held in general obligation bonds.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

Summarized information for the unrealized gains and losses recorded in AFG’s Balance Sheet at June 30, 2021, is shown in the following table (dollars in millions). Approximately $902 million of available for sale fixed maturity securities had no unrealized gains or losses at June 30, 2021.
Securities
With
Unrealized
Gains
Securities
With
Unrealized
Losses
Available for Sale Fixed Maturities
Fair value of securities$7,485 $1,345 
Amortized cost of securities, net of allowance for expected credit losses$7,213 $1,357 
Gross unrealized gain (loss)$272 $(12)
Fair value as % of amortized cost104 %99 %
Number of security positions1,794 366 
Number individually exceeding $2 million gain or loss— 
Concentration of gains (losses) by type or industry (exceeding 5% of unrealized):
States and municipalities$93 $— 
Mortgage-backed securities56 (2)
Other asset-backed securities29 (4)
Collateralized loan obligations(2)
U.S. Government and government agencies(1)
Percentage rated investment grade93 %91 %

The table below sets forth the scheduled maturities of AFG’s available for sale fixed maturity securities at June 30, 2021, based on their fair values. Securities with sinking funds are reported at average maturity. Actual maturities may differ from contractual maturities because certain securities may be called or prepaid by the issuers.
Securities
With
Unrealized
Gains
Securities
With
Unrealized
Losses
Maturity
One year or less10 %— %
After one year through five years30 %19 %
After five years through ten years13 %%
After ten years%%
57 %25 %
Collateralized loan obligations and other asset-backed securities (average life of approximately 3-1/2 years)34 %68 %
Mortgage-backed securities (average life of approximately 3 years)%%
100 %100 %

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The table below (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized gains and losses on fixed maturity securities by dollar amount:
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Aggregate
Unrealized
Gain (Loss)
Fair
Value as
% of Cost
Fixed Maturities at June 30, 2021
Securities with unrealized gains:
Exceeding $500,000 (120 securities)
$1,409 $108 108 %
$500,000 or less (1,674 securities)
6,076 164 103 %
$7,485 $272 104 %
Securities with unrealized losses:
Exceeding $500,000 (3 securities)
$10 $(2)83 %
$500,000 or less (363 securities)
1,335 (10)99 %
$1,345 $(12)99 %

The following table (dollars in millions) summarizes the unrealized losses for all securities with unrealized losses by issuer quality and the length of time those securities have been in an unrealized loss position:
Aggregate
Fair
Value
Aggregate
Unrealized
Loss
Fair
Value as
% of Cost
Securities with Unrealized Losses at June 30, 2021
Investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (126 securities)
$868 $(5)99 %
One year or longer (96 securities)
354 (3)99 %
$1,222 $(8)99 %
Non-investment grade fixed maturities with losses for:
Less than one year (42 securities)
$68 $(1)99 %
One year or longer (102 securities)
55 (3)95 %
$123 $(4)97 %

When a decline in the value of a specific investment is considered to be other-than-temporary, an allowance for credit losses (impairment) is charged to earnings (accounted for as a realized loss). The determination of whether unrealized losses are other-than-temporary requires judgment based on subjective as well as objective factors as detailed in AFG’s 2020 Form 10-K under Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Investments.”

Based on its analysis, management believes AFG will recover its cost basis (net of any allowance) in the fixed maturity securities with unrealized losses and that AFG has the ability to hold the securities until they recover in value and had no intent to sell them at June 30, 2021. Although AFG has the ability to continue holding its fixed maturity investments with unrealized losses, its intent to hold them may change due to deterioration in the issuers’ creditworthiness, decisions to lessen exposure to a particular issuer or industry, asset/liability management decisions, market movements, changes in views about appropriate asset allocation or the desire to offset taxable realized gains. Should AFG’s ability or intent change regarding a particular security, a charge for impairment would likely be required. While it is not possible to accurately predict if or when a specific security will become impaired, increases in the allowance for credit losses could be material to results of operations in future periods. Significant declines in the fair value of AFG’s investment portfolio could have a significant adverse effect on AFG’s liquidity. For information on AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities, see “Results of Operations — Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities.”

Uncertainties
Management believes that the areas posing the greatest risk of material loss are the adequacy of its insurance reserves and contingencies arising out of its former railroad and manufacturing operations. See Management’s Discussion and Analysis — “Uncertainties — Asbestos and Environmental-related (“A&E”) Insurance Reserves” in AFG’s 2020 Form 10–K.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
MANAGED INVESTMENT ENTITIES

Accounting standards require AFG to consolidate its investments in collateralized loan obligation (“CLO”) entities that it manages and owns an interest in (in the form of debt). See Note A — “Accounting Policies — Managed Investment Entities” and Note G — “Managed Investment Entities” to the financial statements. The effect of consolidating these entities is shown in the tables below (in millions). The “Before CLO Consolidation” columns include AFG’s investment and earnings in the CLOs on an unconsolidated basis.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING BALANCE SHEET
Before CLO
Consolidation
Managed
Investment
Entities
Consol.
Entries
Consolidated
As Reported
June 30, 2021
Assets:
Cash and investments$16,182 $— $(57)(*)$16,125 
Assets of managed investment entities— 5,086 — 5,086 
Other assets7,569 — — (*)7,569 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations— — — — 
Total assets$23,751 $5,086 $(57)$28,780 
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums
$13,552 $— $— $13,552 
Liabilities of managed investment entities— 5,086 (57)(*)5,029 
Long-term debt and other liabilities4,598 — — 4,598 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations— — — — 
Total liabilities18,150 5,086 (57)23,179 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock and Capital surplus1,388 — — 1,388 
Retained earnings4,023 — — 4,023 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax190 — — 190 
Total shareholders’ equity5,601 — — 5,601 
Noncontrolling interests— — — — 
Total equity5,601 — — 5,601 
Total liabilities and equity$23,751 $5,086 $(57)$28,780 
December 31, 2020
Assets:
Cash and investments$13,550 $— $(56)(*)$13,494 
Assets of managed investment entities— 4,971 — 4,971 
Other assets7,361 — (1)(*)7,360 
Assets of discontinued annuity operations47,885 — — 47,885 
Total assets$68,796 $4,971 $(57)$73,710 
Liabilities:
Unpaid losses and loss adjustment expenses and unearned premiums
$13,195 $— $— $13,195 
Liabilities of managed investment entities
— 4,971 (57)(*)4,914 
Long-term debt and other liabilities
4,354 — — 4,354 
Liabilities of discontinued annuity operations44,458 — — 44,458 
Total liabilities62,007 4,971 (57)66,921 
Shareholders’ equity:
Common Stock and Capital surplus1,367 — — 1,367 
Retained earnings4,149 — — 4,149 
Accumulated other comprehensive income, net of tax1,273 — — 1,273 
Total shareholders’ equity6,789 — — 6,789 
Noncontrolling interests— — — — 
Total equity6,789 — — 6,789 
Total liabilities and equity$68,796 $4,971 $(57)$73,710 
(*)Elimination of the fair value of AFG’s investment in CLOs and related accrued interest.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Before CLO
Consolidation (a)
Managed
Investment
Entities
Consol.
Entries
Consolidated
As Reported
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums$1,250 $— $— $1,250 
Net investment income171 — (7)(b)164 
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities43 — — 43 
Subsidiary— — 
Income of managed investment entities:
Investment income— 44 — 44 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities— (b)
Other income24 — (4)(c)20 
Total revenues1,492 47 (8)1,531 
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses1,104 — — 1,104 
Expenses of managed investment entities— 47 (8)(b)(c)39 
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses100 — — 100 
Total costs and expenses1,204 47 (8)1,243 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes288 — — 288 
Provision (credit) for income taxes48 — — 48 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests240 — — 240 
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations762 — — 762 
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— — — — 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$1,002 $— $— $1,002 
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums$1,184 $— $— $1,184 
Net investment income88 — — (b)88 
Realized gains (losses) on securities108 — — 108 
Income of managed investment entities:
Investment income— 49 — 49 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities— (2)(1)(b)(3)
Other income23 — (4)(c)19 
Total revenues1,403 47 (5)1,445 
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses1,180 — — 1,180 
Expenses of managed investment entities— 47 (5)(b)(c)42 
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses83 — — 83 
Total costs and expenses1,263 47 (5)1,305 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes140 — — 140 
Provision (credit) for income taxes37 — — 37 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests103 — — 103 
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations64 — — 64 
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests(10)— — (10)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$177 $— $— $177 
(a)Includes income of $7 million in the second quarter of 2021 and less than $1 million in the second quarter of 2020, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $4 million in both the second quarter of 2021 and 2020, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $4 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $1 million in the second quarter of 2020, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
CONDENSED CONSOLIDATING STATEMENT OF EARNINGS
Before CLO
Consolidation (a)
Managed
Investment
Entities
Consol.
Entries
Consolidated
As Reported
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums$2,423 $— $— $2,423 
Net investment income364 — (12)(b)352 
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities120 — — 120 
Subsidiary— — 
Income of managed investment entities:
Investment income— 90 — 90 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities— (b)
Other income51 — (8)(c)43 
Total revenues2,962 92 (14)3,040 
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses2,151 — — 2,151 
Expenses of managed investment entities— 92 (14)(b)(c)78 
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses188 — — 188 
Total costs and expenses2,339 92 (14)2,417 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes623 — — 623 
Provision (credit) for income taxes116 — — 116 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests507 — — 507 
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations914 — — 914 
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— — — — 
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$1,421 $— $— $1,421 
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums$2,393 $— $— $2,393 
Net investment income181 — 11 (b)192 
Realized gains (losses) on securities(220)— — (220)
Income of managed investment entities:
Investment income— 108 — 108 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities— (2)(14)(b)(16)
Other income51 — (8)(c)43 
Total revenues2,405 106 (11)2,500 
Costs and Expenses:
Insurance benefits and expenses2,307 — — 2,307 
Expenses of managed investment entities— 106 (11)(b)(c)95 
Interest charges on borrowed money and other expenses143 — — 143 
Total costs and expenses2,450 106 (11)2,545 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes(45)— — (45)
Provision (credit) for income taxes(4)— — (4)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests(41)— — (41)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations(96)— — (96)
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests(13)— — (13)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$(124)$— $— $(124)
(a)Includes income of $12 million in the first six months of 2021 and losses of $11 million in the first six months of 2020, representing the change in fair value of AFG’s CLO investments plus $8 million in both the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2020, in CLO management fees earned.
(b)Elimination of the change in fair value of AFG’s investments in the CLOs, including $6 million in the first six months of 2021 and $3 million in the first six months of 2020, in distributions recorded as interest expense by the CLOs.
(c)Elimination of management fees earned by AFG.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS

General
AFG’s net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. In addition to discontinued operations, core net operating earnings excludes realized gains (losses) on securities because such gains and losses are influenced significantly by financial markets, interest rates and the timing of sales. In addition, special charges related to coverage that AFG no longer writes, such as for asbestos and environmental exposures, are excluded from core earnings.

In January 2021, AFG entered into a definitive agreement to sell its annuity business to MassMutual. Beginning with the first quarter of 2021 and through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale, the results of its annuity segment and the run-off life and long-term care operations are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with GAAP, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued.

AFG recorded $762 million in non-core net earnings from its discontinued annuity operations in the second quarter of 2021, which includes a $697 million after tax gain on the sale, compared to $64 million in the second quarter of 2020. The first six months of 2021 include $914 million in non-core net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations compared to non-core net losses of $96 million in the first six months of 2020. See “Discontinued Annuity Operations” below for details of the impact of the discontinued annuity operations on AFG’s net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders for the second quarter and first six months of 2021 and 2020.

In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd., into run-off. Neon and its predecessor, Marketform, failed to achieve AFG’s profitability objectives since AFG’s purchase of Marketform in 2008. Consistent with the treatment of other items that are not indicative of AFG’s ongoing operations (both favorable and unfavorable), beginning with the first quarter of 2020, AFG’s core net operating earnings for its property and casualty insurance segment excludes the run-off operations of Neon (“Neon exited lines”). In December 2020, AFG sold GAI Holding Bermuda and its subsidiaries, comprising the legal entities that own Neon, to RiverStone Holdings Limited.

AFG recorded non-core net losses of $32 million in the second quarter of 2020 and $39 million in the first six months of 2020 related to the run-off of the Neon business. In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon. The Neon exited lines impact is highlighted in the discussion following the reconciliation of net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table (in millions, except per share amounts) identifies non-core items and reconciles net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure. AFG believes core net operating earnings is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends and for management to evaluate financial performance against historical results because it believes this provides a more comparable measure of its continuing business.
Three months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
2021202020212020
Components of net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders:
Core operating earnings before income taxes$252 $74 $510 $227 
Pretax non-core items:
Realized gains (losses) on securities43 108 120 (220)
Neon exited lines (*)(42)(52)
Other(11)— (11)— 
Earnings (loss) before income taxes288 140 623 (45)
Provision (credit) for income taxes:
Core operating earnings47 14 99 42 
Non-core items:
Realized gains (losses) on securities23 25 (46)
Neon exited lines (*)— — 
Other(9)— (9)— 
Total provision (credit) for income taxes48 37 116 (4)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests240 103 507 (41)
Net earnings (loss) from discontinued operations762 64 914 (96)
Less net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests:
Neon exited lines (*)— (10)— (13)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$1,002 $177 $1,421 $(124)
Net earnings (loss):
Core net operating earnings$205 $60 $411 $185 
Realized gains (losses) on securities34 85 95 (174)
Neon exited lines (*)(32)(39)
Other(2)— (2)— 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations240 113 507 (28)
Discontinued annuity operations762 64 914 (96)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$1,002 $177 $1,421 $(124)
Diluted per share amounts:
Core net operating earnings$2.39 $0.67 $4.78 $2.04 
Realized gains (losses) on securities0.40 0.95 1.10 (1.92)
Neon exited lines (*)0.04 (0.36)0.04 (0.43)
Other(0.02)— (0.02)— 
Diluted per share amounts, continuing operations2.81 1.26 5.90 (0.31)
Discontinued annuity operations8.89 0.71 10.61 (1.07)
Net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders$11.70 $1.97 $16.51 $(1.38)
(*)As discussed above, the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses). In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a non-core after tax gain of $3 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon.

Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $1.00 billion in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $177 million in the second quarter of 2020. The improvement reflects higher core net operating earnings, higher net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations, non-core losses from the Neon exited lines in the second quarter of 2020 and lower net
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
realized gains on securities in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain from the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $697 million in the second quarter of 2021. Core net operating earnings for the second quarter of 2021 increased $145 million compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit and net investment income in the property and casualty insurance segment, partially offset by higher holding company expenses. Realized gains (losses) on securities in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.

Net earnings attributable to shareholders were $1.42 billion in the first six months of 2021 compared to a net loss of $124 million in the first six months of 2020. The improved results reflect higher core net operating earnings, net realized gains on securities in the first six months of 2021 compared to net realized losses in the first six months of 2020, non-core losses from the Neon exited lines in the 2020 period and net earnings from the discontinued annuity operations in the first six months of 2021 compared to a net loss in the first six months of 2020. The discontinued annuity operations includes an after-tax gain from the sale of the annuity subsidiaries of $656 million in the 2021 period (including $41 million in tax liabilities triggered by the pending sale in the first quarter of 2021). Core net operating earnings for the first six months of 2021 increased $226 million compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting higher underwriting profit and net investment income in the property and casualty insurance segment, partially offset by higher interest charges on borrowed money and higher holding company expenses. Realized gains (losses) on securities in the first six months of 2021 and 2020 resulted primarily from the change in fair value of equity securities that were still held at the balance sheet date.

RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — THREE MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020

Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the agreement to sell the Annuity subsidiaries, AFG reports its continuing operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

AFG’s net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
Other
P&CAnnuityConsol. MIEsHolding Co., other and unallocatedTotalNon-core reclassGAAP Total
Three months ended June 30, 2021
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$1,250 $— $— $— $1,250 $— $1,250 
Net investment income143 22 (7)164 — 164 
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities— — — — — 43 43 
Subsidiary— — — — — 
Income of MIEs:
Investment income— — 44 — 44 — 44 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
— — — — 
Other income— (4)23 20 — 20 
Total revenues1,394 22 39 29 1,484 47 1,531 
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses714 — — — 714 — 714 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
384 — — 390 — 390 
Interest charges on borrowed money— — — 23 23 — 23 
Expenses of MIEs— — 39 — 39 — 39 
Other expenses— — 58 66 11 77 
Total costs and expenses1,106 — 39 87 1,232 11 1,243 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes288 22 — (58)252 36 288 
Provision (credit) for income taxes57 — (15)47 48 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests231 17 — (43)205 35 240 
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — — 
Core Net Operating Earnings (Loss)
231 17 — (43)205 
Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a):
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax
— — — 34 34 (34)— 
Discontinued operations, net of tax— 762 — — 762 — 762 
Neon exited lines (b)— — — (3)— 
Other, net of tax— — — (2)(2)— 
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders
$234 $779 $— $(11)$1,002 $— $1,002 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other
P&CAnnuityConsol. MIEsHolding Co., other and unallocatedTotalNon-core reclassNeon exited lines (b)GAAP Total
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$1,123 $— $— $— $1,123 $— $61 $1,184 
Net investment income72 — 88 — — 88 
Realized gains (losses) on securities
— — — — — 108 — 108 
Income of MIEs:
Investment income— — 49 — 49 — — 49 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
— — (3)— (3)— — (3)
Other income(1)(4)21 19 — — 19 
Total revenues1,198 42 30 1,276 108 61 1,445 
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses705 — — — 705 — 66 771 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
366 — — 371 — 38 409 
Interest charges on borrowed money— — — 23 23 — — 23 
Expenses of MIEs— — 42 — 42 — — 42 
Other expenses11 — 45 61 — (1)60 
Total costs and expenses1,082 42 73 1,202 — 103 1,305 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes116 — (43)74 108 (42)140 
Provision (credit) for income taxes22 — — (8)14 23 — 37 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests94 — (35)60 85 (42)103 
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — (10)(10)
Core Net Operating Earnings (Loss)
94 — (35)60 
Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a):
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax
— — — 85 85 (85)— — 
Discontinued operations, net of tax— 64 — — 64 — — 64 
Neon exited lines (b)(32)— — — (32)— 32 — 
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders
$62 $65 $— $50 $177 $— $— $177 
(a)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
(b)As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses).

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
Performance measures such as underwriting profit or loss and related combined ratios are often used by property and casualty insurers to help users of their financial statements better understand the company’s performance. Underwriting profitability is measured by the combined ratio, which is a sum of the ratios of losses and loss adjustment expenses, and commissions and other underwriting expenses to premiums. A combined ratio under 100% indicates an underwriting profit. The combined ratio does not reflect net investment income, other income, other expenses or federal income taxes.

AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $292 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $74 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $218 million (295%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $288 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $116 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $172 million (148%). The increase in GAAP pretax earnings reflects higher core pretax earnings and the impact of losses in the Neon exited lines in the second quarter of 2020. The increase in core pretax earnings reflects higher core underwriting profit in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 and significantly higher net investment income. Improved results from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) were partially offset by lower other net investment income, due primarily to lower short-term interest rates.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020% Change
Gross written premiums$1,937 $1,539 26 %
Reinsurance premiums ceded(568)(416)37 %
Net written premiums1,369 1,123 22 %
Change in unearned premiums(119)— — %
Net earned premiums1,250 1,123 11 %
Loss and loss adjustment expenses714 705 %
Commissions and other underwriting expenses384 366 %
Core underwriting gain152 52 192 %
Net investment income143 72 99 %
Other income and expenses, net(7)(8)(13 %)
Core earnings before income taxes288 116 148 %
Pretax non-core Neon exited lines (*)(42)(110 %)
GAAP earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests$292 $74 295 %
(*)   In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd. (“Neon”), into run-off. As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” following the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, the results from the Neon exited lines are treated as non-core earnings (losses). Each line item in the table above has been adjusted to remove the impact from the Neon run-off operations in 2020. The following table details the impact of the Neon exited lines to each component of earnings (loss) before income taxes in the property and casualty insurance operations for the three months ended June 30, 2020 (in millions):
Three months ended June 30, 2020
Excluding Neon
exited lines
Neon
exited lines
Total
Gross written premiums
$1,539 $14 $1,553 
Reinsurance premiums ceded
(416)(6)(422)
Net written premiums
1,123 1,131 
Change in unearned premiums
— 53 53 
Net earned premiums
1,123 61 1,184 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
705 66 771 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
366 38 404 
Underwriting gain (loss)
52 (43)
Net investment income
72 — 72 
Other income and expenses, net
(8)(7)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests
$116 $(42)$74 
Three months ended June 30,
20212020Change
Combined Ratios:
Specialty lines
Loss and LAE ratio57.2 %62.6 %(5.4 %)
Underwriting expense ratio30.7 %32.6 %(1.9 %)
Combined ratio87.9 %95.2 %(7.3 %)
Aggregate — including exited lines
Loss and LAE ratio57.2 %65.1 %(7.9 %)
Underwriting expense ratio30.7 %34.1 %(3.4 %)
Combined ratio87.9 %99.2 %(11.3 %)

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.

To understand the overall profitability of particular lines, the timing of claims payments and the related impact of investment income must be considered. Certain “short-tail” lines of business (primarily property coverages) generally have quick loss payouts, which reduce the time funds are held, thereby limiting investment income earned thereon. In contrast, “long-tail” lines of business (primarily liability coverages and workers’ compensation) generally have payouts that are either structured over many years or take many years to settle, thereby significantly increasing investment income earned on related premiums received.

Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.94 billion for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $1.55 billion for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $384 million (25%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020
GWP%GWP%% Change
Property and transportation$851 44 %$611 39 %39 %
Specialty casualty897 46 %752 49 %19 %
Specialty financial189 10 %176 11 %%
Total specialty1,937 100 %1,539 99 %26 %
Neon exited lines— — %14 %(100 %)
Aggregate$1,937 100 %$1,553 100 %25 %

Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 29% of gross written premiums for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 27% of gross written premiums for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 2 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020Change in
Ceded% of GWPCeded% of GWP% of GWP
Property and transportation$(287)34 %$(185)30 %%
Specialty casualty(305)34 %(241)32 %%
Specialty financial(30)16 %(37)21 %(5 %)
Other specialty54 47 
Total specialty(568)29 %(416)27 %%
Neon exited lines— — %(6)43 %(43 %)
Aggregate$(568)29 %$(422)27 %%

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.37 billion for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $1.13 billion for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $238 million (21%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020
NWP%NWP%% Change
Property and transportation$564 41 %$426 38 %32 %
Specialty casualty592 43 %511 45 %16 %
Specialty financial159 12 %139 12 %14 %
Other specialty54 %47 %15 %
Total specialty1,369 100 %1,123 99 %22 %
Neon exited lines— — %%(100 %)
Aggregate$1,369 100 %$1,131 100 %21 %

Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $1.25 billion for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $1.18 billion for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $66 million (6%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020
NEP%NEP%% Change
Property and transportation$453 36 %$390 33 %16 %
Specialty casualty588 47 %547 46 %%
Specialty financial157 13 %144 12 %%
Other specialty52 %42 %24 %
Total specialty1,250 100 %1,123 95 %11 %
Neon exited lines— — %61 %(100 %)
Aggregate$1,250 100 %$1,184 100 %%

Gross written premiums for the second quarter of 2021 increased $384 million (25%) compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting an increase in each of the Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments due primarily to higher renewal rates and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 9% in the second quarter of 2021. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing increased approximately 12%.

Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $240 million (39%) in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to higher premiums in the transportation businesses, as a result of new accounts, combined with strong renewals and increased exposures in the alternative risk transfer business and higher premiums in the crop insurance business as a result of higher commodity futures pricing and timing differences in the writing of premiums. Average renewal rates increased approximately 7% for this group in the second quarter of 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 4 percentage points in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting growth in the crop insurance operations, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and the impact of $3 million in reinsurance reinstatement premiums in the second quarter of 2021 related to a large property loss.

Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $145 million (19%) in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020. Significant renewal rate increases and new business opportunities contributed to higher premiums in the excess liability businesses. Higher renewal rates and increased exposures contributed to premium growth in the excess and surplus lines business. The executive liability and mergers and acquisitions businesses also contributed meaningfully to the year-over-year growth. Average renewal rates increased approximately 11% for this group in the second quarter of 2021. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 17%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting growth in the excess
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
and surplus, mergers and acquisitions and environmental businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.

Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $13 million (7%) in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 due primarily to renewal rate increases and new business opportunities within the lender services, surety and fidelity businesses. Average renewal rates increased approximately 8% for this group in the second quarter of 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 5 percentage points in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting lower cessions in the financial institutions business due to reduced premiums from collateral protection insurance that is 100% reinsured.

Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $7 million (15%) in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020, reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.

Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio and underwriting profit for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
Three months ended June 30,Three months ended June 30,
20212020Change20212020
Property and transportation
Loss and LAE ratio58.2 %61.3 %(3.1 %)
Underwriting expense ratio28.4 %30.4 %(2.0 %)
Combined ratio86.6 %91.7 %(5.1 %)
Underwriting profit$62 $33 
Specialty casualty
Loss and LAE ratio61.9 %67.1 %(5.2 %)
Underwriting expense ratio26.0 %27.8 %(1.8 %)
Combined ratio87.9 %94.9 %(7.0 %)
Underwriting profit$71 $27 
Specialty financial
Loss and LAE ratio33.0 %44.9 %(11.9 %)
Underwriting expense ratio53.4 %55.5 %(2.1 %)
Combined ratio86.4 %100.4 %(14.0 %)
Underwriting profit (loss)$21 $— 
Total Specialty
Loss and LAE ratio57.2 %62.6 %(5.4 %)
Underwriting expense ratio30.7 %32.6 %(1.9 %)
Combined ratio87.9 %95.2 %(7.3 %)
Underwriting profit$153 $54 
Aggregate — including exited lines
Loss and LAE ratio57.2 %65.1 %(7.9 %)
Underwriting expense ratio30.7 %34.1 %(3.4 %)
Combined ratio87.9 %99.2 %(11.3 %)
Underwriting profit$152 $

The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $153 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $54 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $99 million (183%). The higher underwriting profit in the second quarter of 2021 reflects higher underwriting profits in each of the Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Overall catastrophe losses were $10 million (0.9 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $1 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
$26 million (2.3 points) in the second quarter of 2020. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations includes $2 million (0.2 points on the combined ratio) and $85 million (7.6 points) in COVID-19 related losses in the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2020, respectively.

Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $62 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $33 million for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $29 million (88%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profit in the crop, property and inland marine and transportation businesses. Catastrophe losses were $6 million (1.4 points on the combined ratio) compared to $15 million (3.8 points) in the second quarter of 2020. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $3 million (0.8 points on the combined ratio) in the second quarter of 2020.

Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $71 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $27 million for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $44 million (163%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the excess and surplus lines, excess liability, targeted markets and executive liability businesses in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020. Catastrophe losses were $2 million (0.3 points on the combined ratio) compared to $6 million (0.9 points) in the second quarter of 2020. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $52 million (9.5 points on the combined ratio) in the second quarter of 2020, primarily in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses.

Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $21 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to an underwriting loss of less than $1 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $21 million. This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profitability in the trade credit business. Catastrophe losses were $2 million (1.8 points on the combined ratio) compared to $5 million (3.6 points) in the second quarter of 2020. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $2 million (1.3 points on the combined ratio) in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $30 million (21.1 points) in the second quarter of 2020, primarily related to trade credit insurance.

Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $1 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $6 million in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of $5 million (83%). This decrease reflects lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes an underwriting loss of $43 million at Neon the second quarter of 2020, due primarily to losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. AFG also recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $1 million and $2 million in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 57.2% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 65.1% for the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of 7.9 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
AmountRatioChange in
2021202020212020Ratio
Property and transportation
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$297 $249 65.6 %63.9 %1.7 %
Prior accident years development(40)(28)(8.8 %)(7.2 %)(1.6 %)
Current year COVID-19 related losses— — %0.8 %(0.8 %)
Current year catastrophe losses15 1.4 %3.8 %(2.4 %)
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio$263 $239 58.2 %61.3 %(3.1 %)
Specialty casualty
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$381 $360 64.9 %66.0 %(1.1 %)
Prior accident years development(20)(51)(3.4 %)(9.3 %)5.9 %
Current year COVID-19 related losses— 52 0.1 %9.5 %(9.4 %)
Current year catastrophe losses0.3 %0.9 %(0.6 %)
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio$363 $367 61.9 %67.1 %(5.2 %)
Specialty financial
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$60 $41 37.2 %28.2 %9.0 %
Prior accident years development(12)(11)(7.3 %)(8.0 %)0.7 %
Current year COVID-19 related losses30 1.3 %21.1 %(19.8 %)
Current year catastrophe losses1.8 %3.6 %(1.8 %)
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio$52 $65 33.0 %44.9 %(11.9 %)
Total Specialty
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$769 $677 61.5 %60.3 %1.2 %
Prior accident years development(68)(85)(5.4 %)(7.6 %)2.2 %
Current year COVID-19 related losses85 0.2 %7.6 %(7.4 %)
Current year catastrophe losses10 26 0.9 %2.3 %(1.4 %)
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio$713 $703 57.2 %62.6 %(5.4 %)
Aggregate — including exited lines
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$769 $717 61.5 %60.7 %0.8 %
Prior accident years development(67)(77)(5.4 %)(6.5 %)1.1 %
Current year COVID-19 related losses105 0.2 %8.8 %(8.6 %)
Current year catastrophe losses10 26 0.9 %2.1 %(1.2 %)
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio$714 $771 57.2 %65.1 %(7.9 %)

Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 61.5% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 60.3% for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 1.2 percentage points.

Property and transportation   The 1.7 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects growth in the crop operations, which has a higher loss and LAE ratio than many of the businesses in the property and transportation segment, a higher loss and LAE ratio in the ocean marine business due to higher claim frequency and severity in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 and a higher loss and LAE ratio in the equine business due to higher claim severity in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty   The 1.1 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratios of the excess and surplus businesses due primarily to the earned impact of rate increases obtained in 2020 and the first six months of 2021, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the executive liability business.

Specialty financial The 9.0 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the financial institutions and trade credit businesses.

Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $68 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $85 million in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of $17 million (20%).

Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $40 million in the second quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation and agricultural businesses and lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business. Net favorable reserve development of $28 million in the second quarter of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation and agricultural businesses.

Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $20 million in the second quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess and surplus lines businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated severity in general liability claims. Net favorable reserve development of $51 million in the second quarter of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the workers’ compensation businesses.

Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $12 million in the second quarter of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety business and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business. Net favorable reserve development of $11 million in the second quarter of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit and surety businesses.

Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $4 million in the second quarter of 2021 and $5 million in the second quarter of 2020, reflecting net adverse reserve development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.

Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $6 million in the second quarter of 2020 from the Neon exited lines and net adverse reserve development of $1 million and $2 million in the second quarter of 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.

COVID-19 related losses
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded $2 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19 in the second quarter of 2021 primarily related to the economic slowdown impacting the trade credit business, and released approximately $4 million of accident year 2020 reserves based on loss experience. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 66% of the $96 million in COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at June 30, 2021. Underwriting results for the second quarter of 2020 include $85 million of reserve charges related to COVID-19. Approximately 70% of AFG’s 2020 COVID-19 related losses were reported in the worker’s compensation, executive liability and trade credit businesses, with the remainder spread across numerous other businesses.

Catastrophe losses
AFG generally seeks to reduce its exposure to catastrophes through individual risk selection, including minimizing coastal and known fault-line exposures, and the purchase of reinsurance. Based on data available at December 31, 2020, AFG’s
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
exposure to a catastrophic earthquake or windstorm that industry models indicate should statistically occur once in every 100, 250 or 500 years as a percentage of AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity is shown below:
Approximate impact of modeled loss
Industry Modelon AFG’s Shareholders’ Equity
100-year event1%
250-year event1%
500-year event2%

AFG maintains comprehensive property catastrophe reinsurance coverage for its property and casualty insurance operations, including a $15 million per occurrence net retention, for losses up to $125 million in the vast majority of circumstances. In certain unlikely events, AFG’s ultimate loss under this coverage could be as high as $24 million for a single occurrence. AFG further maintains supplemental fully collateralized reinsurance coverage up to 94% of $325 million for catastrophe losses in excess of $125 million of traditional catastrophe reinsurance through a catastrophe bond.

Catastrophe losses of $10 million in the second quarter of 2021 resulted primarily from storms in multiple regions of the United States. Catastrophe losses of $26 million in the second quarter of 2020 resulted primarily from storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States and included $4 million related to civil unrest.

Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $384 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $404 million for the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of $20 million (5%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio, calculated as commissions and other underwriting expenses divided by net premiums earned, was 30.7% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 34.1% for the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of 3.4 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020Change in
U/W Exp% of NEPU/W Exp% of NEP% of NEP
Property and transportation$128 28.4 %$118 30.4 %(2.0 %)
Specialty casualty154 26.0 %153 27.8 %(1.8 %)
Specialty financial84 53.4 %79 55.5 %(2.1 %)
Other specialty18 35.7 %16 37.3 %(1.6 %)
Total specialty384 30.7 %366 32.6 %(1.9 %)
Neon exited lines— 38 
Aggregate$384 30.7 %$404 34.1 %(3.4 %)

Property and transportation   Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 2.0 percentage points in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting higher profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the transportation businesses in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Specialty casualty   Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.8 percentage points in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting higher ceding commissions received from reinsurers as a result of growth in the excess liability and excess and surplus businesses and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Specialty financial   Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 2.1 percentage points in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflecting the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $143 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $72 million (excluding the Neon exited lines) in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $71 million (99%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020Change% Change
Net investment income:
Net investment income excluding alternative investments$80 $85 $(5)(6 %)
Alternative investments63 (13)76 (585 %)
Total net investment income$143 $72 $71 99 %
Average invested assets (at amortized cost)$12,630 $11,454 $1,176 10 %
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets)4.53 %2.51 %2.02 %
Tax equivalent yield (*)4.67 %2.64 %2.03 %
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.

The property and casualty insurance segment’s increase in net investment income for the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020 reflects significantly higher earnings from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by the effect of lower fixed maturity yields and lower short-term interest rates. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.53% for the second quarter of 2021 compared to 2.51% for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of 2.02 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 22.9% in the second quarter of 2021 compared to a negative return of 5.9% in the prior year period.

Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $7 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $8 million for the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of $1 million (13%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020
Other income$$
Other expenses
Amortization of intangibles
Other
Total other expenses11 
Other income and expenses, net$(7)$(8)

In addition to the property and casualty segment’s other income and expenses, net from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines incurred net income of $1 million in other income and expenses, net during the second quarter of 2020.

Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $69 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $43 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $26 million (60%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $58 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $43 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $15 million (35%).
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020% Change
Revenues:
Net investment income$$(33 %)
Other income — P&C fees
18 16 13 %
Other income
— %
Total revenues
29 30 (3 %)
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance — commissions and other underwriting expenses
20 %
Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees
12 11 %
Other expenses (*)46 34 35 %
Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money
64 50 28 %
Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money(35)(20)75 %
Interest charges on borrowed money
23 23 — %
Core loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses
(58)(43)35 %
Pretax non-core loss on pension settlement(11)— — %
GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses$(69)$(43)60 %
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core loss of $11 million related to the settlement of pension liabilities of a small former manufacturing operation in the second quarter of 2021.

Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $6 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $9 million in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of $3 million (33%). The parent company holds a small portfolio of securities that are carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities increased in value by $3 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $7 million in the second quarter of 2020.

Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the second quarter of 2021, AFG collected $18 million for these services compared to $16 million in the second quarter of 2020. Management views this fee income, net of the $12 million in the second quarter of 2021 and the $11 million in the second quarter of 2020, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.

Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $4 million in both the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2020, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $1 million in both the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $46 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $34 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $12 million (35%), reflecting higher holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance and higher expenses associated with certain incentive compensation plans.

Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $23 million in both the second quarter of 2021 and in the second quarter of 2020. The following table details the principal amount of AFG’s long-term debt balances as of June 30, 2021 compared to June 30, 2020 (dollars in millions):
June 30,
2021
June 30,
2020
Direct obligations of AFG:
4.50% Senior Notes due June 2047$590 $590 
3.50% Senior Notes due August 2026425 425 
5.25% Senior Notes due April 2030300 300 
5.125% Subordinated Debentures due December 2059200 200 
4.50% Subordinated Debentures due September 2060200 — 
6% Subordinated Debentures due November 2055— 150 
5.625% Subordinated Debentures due June 2060150 150 
5.875% Subordinated Debentures due March 2059125 125 
Other
Total principal amount of Holding Company Debt$1,993 $1,943 
Weighted Average Interest Rate4.6 %4.8 %

Interest expense was $23 million for both the second quarter of 2021 and the second quarter of 2020 and reflects the following financial transactions completed by AFG between March 31, 2020 and June 30, 2021:
Issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes in April 2020
Issued $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures in May 2020
Issued $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures in September 2020
Redeemed $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures in November 2020

Holding Company and Other — Loss on Pension Settlement
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG settled pension liabilities related to a small former manufacturing operation resulting in a pretax non-core loss of $11 million.

Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $43 million in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $108 million in the second quarter of 2020, a decrease of $65 million (60%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
Three months ended June 30,
20212020
Realized gains (losses) before impairments:
Disposals$$
Change in the fair value of equity securities42 107 
Change in the fair value of derivatives— — 
43 108 
Change in allowance for impairments on securities— — 
Realized gains (losses) on securities$43 $108 

The $42 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the second quarter of 2021 includes gains of $16 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $9 million on investments in banks and
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
financing companies, $7 million on investments in healthcare companies and $6 million on investments in media companies. The $107 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the second quarter of 2020 includes gains of $32 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $18 million on investments in media companies, $10 million on investments in natural gas, $8 million on investments in insurance companies, $5 million on real estate investment trusts and $4 million on investments in energy companies.

Realized Gain on Subsidiary
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon. See “Results of Operations — General” for the discussion of the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.

Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision for income taxes on continuing operations was $48 million for the second quarter of 2021 compared to $37 million for the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $11 million (30%). See Note K — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate on continuing operations.

Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests was a net loss of $10 million for the second quarter of 2020, reflecting losses at Neon, which was sold in December 2020.

Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, the results of the annuity businesses to be sold are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with GAAP, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued. Prior to the completion of the sale, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations acquired approximately $480 million in real-estate related partnerships and AFG parent acquired approximately $100 million of directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations includes the earnings from these entities and certain other expenses that will be retained from the annuity operations.

The retained real estate entities contributed $22 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $7 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $15 million (214%). This increase reflects higher earnings from the real-estate related partnerships in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations contributed $83 million in GAAP pretax earnings (excluding the gain on the sale of the annuity operations) in the second quarter of 2021 compared to $78 million in the second quarter of 2020, an increase of $5 million (6%) reflecting the following:
significantly higher earnings from partnerships and similar investments,
the negative impact from the run-off of higher yielding investments and lower short-term interest rates, and
lower net realized gains on securities in the second quarter of 2021 compared to the second quarter of 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table details AFG’s earnings before and after income taxes and the gain on the sale from its discontinued annuity operations for the three months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):

Three months ended June 30,
2021 (*)2020% Change
Pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings:
Pretax annuity earnings before items below$44 $87 (49 %)
Earnings (loss) on partnerships and similar investments63 (46)(237 %)
Total pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings107 41 161 %
Pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings:
Impact of reinsurance, derivatives related to fixed indexed annuities (“FIAs”) and other impacts of changes in the stock market and interest rates on FIAs over or under option costs(55)(59)(7 %)
Realized gains (losses) on securities31 96 (68 %)
Run-off life and long-term care— — — %
Total pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings(24)37 (165 %)
GAAP pretax earnings (loss) from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations83 78 %
Provision (credit) for income taxes18 14 29 %
GAAP net earnings (loss) from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations65 64 %
Gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations, net of tax697 — — %
GAAP net earnings (loss) from discontinued annuity operations$762 $64 1,091 %
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
RESULTS OF OPERATIONS — SIX MONTHS ENDED JUNE 30, 2021 AND 2020

Segmented Statement of Earnings
Subsequent to the agreement to sell the Annuity subsidiaries, AFG reports its continuing operations as two segments: (i) Property and casualty insurance (“P&C”) and (ii) Other, which includes holding company costs and income and expenses related to the managed investment entities (“MIEs”).

AFG’s net earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders, determined in accordance with GAAP, include certain items that may not be indicative of its ongoing core operations. The following tables for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 identify such items by segment and reconcile net earnings attributable to shareholders to core net operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial measure that AFG believes is a useful tool for investors and analysts in analyzing ongoing operating trends (in millions):
Other
P&CAnnuityConsol. MIEsHolding Co., other and unallocatedTotalNon-core reclassGAAP Total
Six months ended June 30, 2021
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$2,423 $— $— $— $2,423 $— $2,423 
Net investment income302 51 (12)11 352 — 352 
Realized gains (losses) on:
Securities— — — — — 120 120 
Subsidiary— — — — — 
Income of MIEs:
Investment income— — 90 — 90 — 90 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
— — — — 
Other income— (8)46 43 — 43 
Total revenues2,730 51 78 57 2,916 124 3,040 
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses1,381 — — — 1,381 — 1,381 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
756 — — 14 770 — 770 
Interest charges on borrowed money— — — 47 47 — 47 
Expenses of MIEs— — 78 — 78 — 78 
Other expenses17 — 112 130 11 141 
Total costs and expenses2,154 78 173 2,406 11 2,417 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes576 50 — (116)510 113 623 
Provision (credit) for income taxes113 11 — (25)99 17 116 
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests463 39 — (91)411 96 507 
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — — 
Core Net Operating Earnings (Loss)
463 39 — (91)411 
Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a):
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax
— — — 95 95 (95)— 
Discontinued operations, net of tax— 914 — — 914 — 914 
Neon exited lines (b)— — — (3)— 
Other, net of tax— — — (2)(2)— 
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders
$466 $953 $— $$1,421 $— $1,421 
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Other
P&CAnnuityConsol. MIEsHolding Co., other and unallocatedTotalNon-core reclassNeon exited lines (b)GAAP Total
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Revenues:
Property and casualty insurance net earned premiums
$2,261 $— $— $— $2,261 $— $132 $2,393 
Net investment income171 19 11 (3)198 — (6)192 
Realized gains (losses) on securities— — — — — (220)— (220)
Income of MIEs:
Investment income— — 108 — 108 — — 108 
Gain (loss) on change in fair value of assets/liabilities
— — (16)— (16)— — (16)
Other income— (8)43 43 — — 43 
Total revenues2,440 19 95 40 2,594 (220)126 2,500 
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance:
Losses and loss adjustment expenses1,372 — — — 1,372 — 106 1,478 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
749 — — 10 759 — 70 829 
Interest charges on borrowed money— — — 40 40 — — 40 
Expenses of MIEs— — 95 — 95 — — 95 
Other expenses22 12 — 67 101 — 103 
Total costs and expenses2,143 12 95 117 2,367 — 178 2,545 
Earnings (loss) from continuing operations before income taxes297 — (77)227 (220)(52)(45)
Provision (credit) for income taxes60 — (19)42 (46)— (4)
Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations, including noncontrolling interests237 — (58)185 (174)(52)(41)
Less: Net earnings (loss) from continuing operations attributable to noncontrolling interests— — — — — — (13)(13)
Core Net Operating Earnings (Loss)237 — (58)185 
Non-core earnings (loss) attributable to shareholders (a):
Realized gains (losses) on securities, net of tax
— — — (174)(174)174 — — 
Discontinued operations, net of tax— (94)— (2)(96)— — (96)
Neon exited lines (b)(39)— — — (39)— 39 — 
Net Earnings (Loss) Attributable to Shareholders
$198 $(88)$— $(234)$(124)$— $— $(124)
(a)See the reconciliation of core earnings to GAAP net earnings under “Results of Operations — General” for details on the tax and noncontrolling interest impacts of these reconciling items.
(b)As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” the Neon run-off operations are considered property and casualty insurance non-core earnings (losses).

Property and Casualty Insurance Segment — Results of Operations
AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations contributed $580 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the first six months of 2021 compared to $245 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $335 million (137%). Property and casualty core pretax earnings were $576 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $297 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $279 million (94%). The increase in GAAP pretax earnings reflects higher core pretax earnings and the impact of losses in the Neon exited lines in the first six months of 2020. The increase in core pretax earnings reflects higher core underwriting profit in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 and significantly higher net investment income. Improved results from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs) were partially offset by lower other net investment income, due primarily to lower short-term interest rates.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core earnings before income taxes from its property and casualty insurance operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020% Change
Gross written premiums$3,553 $3,065 16 %
Reinsurance premiums ceded(979)(777)26 %
Net written premiums2,574 2,288 13 %
Change in unearned premiums(151)(27)459 %
Net earned premiums2,423 2,261 %
Loss and loss adjustment expenses1,381 1,372 %
Commissions and other underwriting expenses756 749 %
Core underwriting gain286 140 104 %
Net investment income302 171 77 %
Other income and expenses, net(12)(14)(14 %)
Core earnings before income taxes576 297 94 %
Pretax non-core Neon exited lines (*)(52)(108 %)
GAAP earnings before income taxes and noncontrolling interests$580 $245 137 %
(*)   In December 2019, AFG initiated actions to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, which included placing its Lloyd’s subsidiaries including its Lloyd’s Managing Agency, Neon Underwriting Ltd. (“Neon”), into run-off. As discussed under “Results of Operations — General,” following the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market, the results from the Neon exited lines are treated as non-core earnings (losses). Each line item in the table above has been adjusted to remove the impact from the Neon run-off operations in 2020. The following table details the impact of the Neon exited lines to each component of earnings (loss) before income taxes in the property and casualty insurance operations for the six months ended June 30, 2020 (in millions):
Six months ended June 30, 2020
Excluding Neon
exited lines
Neon
exited lines
Total
Gross written premiums
$3,065 $70 $3,135 
Reinsurance premiums ceded
(777)(63)(840)
Net written premiums
2,288 2,295 
Change in unearned premiums
(27)125 98 
Net earned premiums
2,261 132 2,393 
Loss and loss adjustment expenses
1,372 106 1,478 
Commissions and other underwriting expenses
749 70 819 
Underwriting gain (loss)
140 (44)96 
Net investment income
171 (6)165 
Other income and expenses, net
(14)(2)(16)
Earnings (loss) before income taxes and noncontrolling interests
$297 $(52)$245 
Six months ended June 30,
20212020Change
Combined Ratios:
Specialty lines
Loss and LAE ratio57.0 %60.5 %(3.5 %)
Underwriting expense ratio31.2 %33.2 %(2.0 %)
Combined ratio88.2 %93.7 %(5.5 %)
Aggregate — including exited lines
Loss and LAE ratio57.0 %61.8 %(4.8 %)
Underwriting expense ratio31.2 %34.2 %(3.0 %)
Combined ratio88.2 %96.0 %(7.8 %)

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
AFG reports the underwriting performance of its Specialty property and casualty insurance business in the following sub-segments: (i) Property and transportation, (ii) Specialty casualty and (iii) Specialty financial.

Gross Written Premiums
Gross written premiums (“GWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $3.55 billion for the first six months of 2021 compared to $3.14 billion for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $418 million (13%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty gross written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
GWP%GWP%% Change
Property and transportation$1,371 38 %$1,105 35 %24 %
Specialty casualty1,801 51 %1,601 51 %12 %
Specialty financial381 11 %359 12 %%
Total specialty3,553 100 %3,065 98 %16 %
Neon exited lines— — %70 %(100 %)
Aggregate$3,553 100 %$3,135 100 %13 %

Reinsurance Premiums Ceded
Reinsurance premiums ceded (“Ceded”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were 28% of gross written premiums for the first six months of 2021 compared to 27% of gross written premiums for the first six months of 2020, an increase of 1 percentage point. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty reinsurance premiums ceded is shown below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020Change in
Ceded% of GWPCeded% of GWP% of GWP
Property and transportation$(404)29 %$(293)27 %%
Specialty casualty(621)34 %(504)31 %%
Specialty financial(61)16 %(71)20 %(4 %)
Other specialty107 91 
Total specialty(979)28 %(777)25 %%
Neon exited lines— — %(63)90 %(90 %)
Aggregate$(979)28 %$(840)27 %%

Net Written Premiums
Net written premiums (“NWP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $2.57 billion for the first six months of 2021 compared to $2.30 billion for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $279 million (12%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net written premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
NWP%NWP%% Change
Property and transportation$967 38 %$812 35 %19 %
Specialty casualty1,180 46 %1,097 48 %%
Specialty financial320 12 %288 13 %11 %
Other specialty107 %91 %18 %
Total specialty2,574 100 %2,288 100 %13 %
Neon exited lines— — %— %— %
Aggregate$2,574 100 %$2,295 100 %12 %

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Net Earned Premiums
Net earned premiums (“NEP”) for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment were $2.42 billion for the first six months of 2021 compared to $2.39 billion for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $30 million (1%). Detail of AFG’s property and casualty net earned premiums is shown below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
NEP%NEP%% Change
Property and transportation$847 35 %$776 32 %%
Specialty casualty1,159 48 %1,103 46 %%
Specialty financial314 13 %300 13 %%
Other specialty103 %82 %26 %
Total specialty2,423 100 %2,261 94 %%
Neon exited lines— — %132 %(100 %)
Aggregate$2,423 100 %$2,393 100 %%

The $418 million (13%) increase in gross written premiums for the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflects an increase in each of the Specialty property and casualty sub-segments due primarily to higher renewal rates and increased exposures. Overall average renewal rates increased approximately 10% in the first six months of 2021. Excluding the workers’ compensation business, renewal pricing increased approximately 13%.

Property and transportation Gross written premiums increased $266 million (24%) in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 due primarily to higher premiums in the transportation businesses, as a result of new accounts, combined with strong renewals and increased exposures in the alternative risk transfer business and higher premiums in the crop insurance business as a result of higher commodity futures pricing and timing differences in the writing of premiums. Average renewal rates increased approximately 7% for this group in the first six months of 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 2 percentage points in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting growth in the crop insurance operations, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Property and transportation sub-segment and the impact of reinstatement premiums in the first six months of 2021 related to winter storms in Texas and a large property loss.

Specialty casualty Gross written premiums increased $200 million (12%) in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020. Significant renewal rate increases and new business opportunities contributed to higher premiums in the excess liability businesses. Higher renewal rates and increased exposures contributed to premium growth in the excess and surplus lines business. The executive liability and mergers and acquisitions businesses also contributed meaningfully to the year-over-year growth. These increases were partially offset by lower year-over-year premiums in the workers’ compensation businesses, which were primarily the result of lower renewal rates and decreased exposure bases. Average renewal rates increased approximately 13% for this group in the first six months of 2021. Excluding rate decreases in the workers’ compensation business, renewal rates for this group increased approximately 21%. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums increased 3 percentage points in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting growth in the excess liability, mergers and acquisitions and environmental businesses, which cede a larger percentage of premiums than the other businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.

Specialty financial Gross written premiums increased $22 million (6%) in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 due primarily to renewal rate increases and new business opportunities within the lender services, surety and fidelity businesses. Average renewal rates increased approximately 7% for this group in the first six months of 2021. Reinsurance premiums ceded as a percentage of gross written premiums decreased 4 percentage points for the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting lower cessions in the financial institutions business due to reduced premiums from collateral protection insurance that is 100% reinsured and lower cessions in the innovative markets business.

Other specialty The amounts shown as reinsurance premiums ceded represent business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Reinsurance premiums assumed increased $16 million (18%) in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020, reflecting an increase in premiums retained, primarily from businesses in the Specialty casualty sub-segment.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Combined Ratio
The table below (dollars in millions) details the components of the combined ratio and underwriting profit for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment:
Six months ended June 30,Six months ended June 30,
20212020Change20212020
Property and transportation
Loss and LAE ratio57.1 %61.4 %(4.3 %)
Underwriting expense ratio29.0 %30.9 %(1.9 %)
Combined ratio86.1 %92.3 %(6.2 %)
Underwriting profit$118 $60 
Specialty casualty
Loss and LAE ratio62.5 %64.1 %(1.6 %)
Underwriting expense ratio26.5 %28.7 %(2.2 %)
Combined ratio89.0 %92.8 %(3.8 %)
Underwriting profit$127 $79 
Specialty financial
Loss and LAE ratio33.5 %41.2 %(7.7 %)
Underwriting expense ratio51.9 %53.2 %(1.3 %)
Combined ratio85.4 %94.4 %(9.0 %)
Underwriting profit$46 $17 
Total Specialty
Loss and LAE ratio57.0 %60.5 %(3.5 %)
Underwriting expense ratio31.2 %33.2 %(2.0 %)
Combined ratio88.2 %93.7 %(5.5 %)
Underwriting profit$287 $143 
Aggregate — including exited lines
Loss and LAE ratio57.0 %61.8 %(4.8 %)
Underwriting expense ratio31.2 %34.2 %(3.0 %)
Combined ratio88.2 %96.0 %(7.8 %)
Underwriting profit$286 $96 

The Specialty property and casualty insurance operations generated an underwriting profit of $287 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $143 million for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $144 million (101%). The higher underwriting profit in the first six months of 2021 reflects higher underwriting profits in each of the Specialty property and casualty insurance sub-segments. Underwriting results for the Specialty property and casualty insurance operations include $11 million in COVID-19 related losses (0.5 points on the combined ratio) in the first six months of 2021 and $95 million in COVID-19 related losses (4.2 points) in the first six months of 2020. Catastrophe losses were $30 million (1.3 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $12 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $35 million (1.5 points) in the first six months of 2020.

Property and transportation Underwriting profit for this group was $118 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $60 million for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $58 million (97%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profit in the transportation, property and inland marine and crop businesses. Catastrophe losses were $20 million (2.4 points on the combined ratio), primarily the result of winter storms in Texas, and related net reinstatement premiums were $9 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $23 million (3.0 points) in the first six months of 2020. COVID-19 related losses for this group were $6 million (0.7 points) in the first six months of 2020.

Specialty casualty Underwriting profit for this group was $127 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $79 million for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $48 million (61%). This increase reflects higher underwriting profitability in the excess and surplus lines and excess liability businesses, partially offset by lower favorable prior year reserve development in the workers’ compensation business in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020. COVID-19 related losses were $7 million (0.6 points on the combined ratio) in the first six months of 2021 compared to $59 million (5.3 points) in the first six months of 2020, primarily in the workers’ compensation and executive liability businesses. Catastrophe losses were $3 million (0.3 points on the combined ratio) and related reinstatement
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
premiums were $1 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $6 million (0.5 points) in the first six months of 2020.

Specialty financial Underwriting profit for this group was $46 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $17 million for the first six months of 2020, an increase of $29 million (171%). This increase reflects higher year-over-year underwriting profitability in the trade credit and financial institutions businesses. COVID-19 related losses were $4 million (1.4 points on the combined ratio) in the first six months of 2021 compared to $30 million (10.2 points), primarily related to trade credit insurance. Catastrophe losses were $6 million (2.0 points on the combined ratio) and related net reinstatement premiums were $2 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to catastrophe losses of $6 million (2.0 points) in the first six months of 2020.

Other specialty This group reported an underwriting loss of $4 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $13 million in the first six months of 2020, a decrease of $9 million (69%). This decrease reflects lower losses in the business assumed by AFG’s internal reinsurance program from the operations that make up AFG’s other Specialty sub-segments in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020.

Aggregate Aggregate underwriting results for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes an underwriting loss of $44 million at Neon in the first six months of 2020, due primarily to losses related to the COVID-19 pandemic. AFG also recorded adverse prior year reserve development of $1 million and $3 million in the first six months of 2021 and 2020, respectively, related to business outside of the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Losses and Loss Adjustment Expenses
AFG’s overall loss and LAE ratio was 57.0% for the first six months of 2021 compared to 61.8% for the first six months of 2020, a decrease of 4.8 percentage points. The components of AFG’s property and casualty losses and LAE amounts and ratio are detailed below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
AmountRatioChange in
2021202020212020Ratio
Property and transportation
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$547 $499 64.5 %64.4 %0.1 %
Prior accident years development(83)(52)(9.8 %)(6.7 %)(3.1 %)
Current year COVID-19 related losses— — %0.7 %(0.7 %)
Current year catastrophe losses20 23 2.4 %3.0 %(0.6 %)
Property and transportation losses and LAE and ratio$484 $476 57.1 %61.4 %(4.3 %)
Specialty casualty
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$743 $717 64.1 %65.0 %(0.9 %)
Prior accident years development(29)(75)(2.5 %)(6.7 %)4.2 %
Current year COVID-19 related losses59 0.6 %5.3 %(4.7 %)
Current year catastrophe losses0.3 %0.5 %(0.2 %)
Specialty casualty losses and LAE and ratio$724 $707 62.5 %64.1 %(1.6 %)
Specialty financial
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$115 $101 36.4 %33.5 %2.9 %
Prior accident years development(20)(13)(6.3 %)(4.5 %)(1.8 %)
Current year COVID-19 related losses30 1.4 %10.2 %(8.8 %)
Current year catastrophe losses2.0 %2.0 %— %
Specialty financial losses and LAE and ratio$105 $124 33.5 %41.2 %(7.7 %)
Total Specialty
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$1,466 $1,372 60.5 %60.6 %(0.1 %)
Prior accident years development(127)(133)(5.3 %)(5.8 %)0.5 %
Current year COVID-19 related losses11 95 0.5 %4.2 %(3.7 %)
Current year catastrophe losses30 35 1.3 %1.5 %(0.2 %)
Total Specialty losses and LAE and ratio$1,380 $1,369 57.0 %60.5 %(3.5 %)
Aggregate — including exited lines
Current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses$1,466 $1,447 60.5 %60.5 %— %
Prior accident years development(126)(119)(5.3 %)(5.0 %)(0.3 %)
Current year COVID-19 related losses11 115 0.5 %4.8 %(4.3 %)
Current year catastrophe losses30 35 1.3 %1.5 %(0.2 %)
Aggregate losses and LAE and ratio$1,381 $1,478 57.0 %61.8 %(4.8 %)

Current accident year losses and LAE, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses
The current accident year loss and LAE ratio, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses for AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations was 60.5% for the first six months of 2021 compared to 60.6% for the first six months of 2020, a decrease of 0.1 percentage points.

Property and transportation   The 0.1 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects growth in the crop operations, which has a higher loss and LAE ratio than many of the businesses in the property and transportation segment and a higher loss and LAE ratio in the equine business due to higher claim severity in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020, partially offset by a lower loss and LAE ratio of the aviation business.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Specialty casualty   The 0.9 percentage point decrease in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects a decrease in the loss and LAE ratios of the excess and surplus businesses, partially offset by an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the executive liability business.

Specialty financial   The 2.9 percentage point increase in the loss and LAE ratio for the current year, excluding COVID-19 related and catastrophe losses reflects an increase in the loss and LAE ratio of the financial institutions and trade credit businesses.

Net prior year reserve development
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded net favorable reserve development related to prior accident years of $127 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $133 million in the first six months of 2020, a decrease of $6 million (5%).

Property and transportation Net favorable reserve development of $83 million in the first six months of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses, lower than expected losses in the crop business and lower than expected claim severity in the property and inland marine business, partially offset by higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the equine business. Net favorable reserve development of $52 million in the first six months of 2020 reflects lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the agricultural businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the transportation businesses.

Specialty casualty Net favorable reserve development of $29 million in the first six months of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim severity in the workers’ compensation businesses, partially offset by higher than anticipated claim severity in the general liability, targeted markets and professional liability businesses. Net favorable reserve development of $75 million in the first six months of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency and severity in the workers’ compensation businesses and lower than anticipated claim frequency in the executive liability business, partially offset by higher than expected claim frequency and severity in the excess and surplus businesses.

Specialty financial Net favorable reserve development of $20 million in the first six months of 2021 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the surety business and lower than expected claim frequency and severity in the financial institutions business. Net favorable reserve development of $13 million in the first six months of 2020 reflects lower than anticipated claim frequency in the trade credit and surety businesses.

Other specialty In addition to the development discussed above, total Specialty prior year reserve development includes net adverse reserve development of $5 million in the first six months of 2021 and $7 million in the first six months of 2020, reflecting net adverse development associated with AFG’s internal reinsurance program, partially offset by the amortization of the deferred gains on the retroactive reinsurance transactions entered into in connection with the sale of businesses in 1998 and 2001.

Aggregate Aggregate net prior accident years reserve development for AFG’s property and casualty insurance segment includes net adverse reserve development of $11 million in the first six months of 2020 from the Neon exited lines and net adverse reserve development of $1 million in the first six months of 2021 and $3 million in the first six months of 2020 related to business outside the Specialty group that AFG no longer writes.

COVID-19 related losses
AFG’s Specialty property and casualty insurance operations recorded $11 million in reserve charges related to COVID-19 in the first six months of 2021 primarily related to the workers’ compensation and trade credit businesses, and released approximately $10 million of accident year 2020 reserves based on loss experience. Underwriting results for the first six months of 2020 include $95 million of reserve charges related to COVID-19. Given the uncertainties surrounding the ultimate number and scope of claims relating to the pandemic, approximately 66% of the $96 million in COVID-19 related losses are held as incurred but not reported reserves at June 30, 2021.

In addition, COVID-19 related losses were the primary driver of the underwriting loss recorded in the Neon exited lines for the first six months of 2020.

Catastrophe losses
Catastrophe losses of $30 million in the first six months of 2021 resulted primarily from storms in in multiple regions of the United States, including the winter storms in Texas. Catastrophe losses of $35 million in the first six months of 2020
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
resulted primarily from storms and tornadoes in multiple regions of the United States and included $4 million related to civil unrest.

Commissions and Other Underwriting Expenses
AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses (“U/W Exp”) were $756 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $819 million for the first six months of 2020, a decrease of $63 million (8%). AFG’s underwriting expense ratio was 31.2% for the first six months of 2021 compared to 34.2% for the first six months of 2020, a decrease of 3.0 percentage points. Detail of AFG’s property and casualty commissions and other underwriting expenses and underwriting expense ratios is shown below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020Change in
U/W Exp% of NEPU/W Exp% of NEP% of NEP
Property and transportation$245 29.0 %$240 30.9 %(1.9 %)
Specialty casualty308 26.5 %317 28.7 %(2.2 %)
Specialty financial163 51.9 %159 53.2 %(1.3 %)
Other specialty40 39.0 %33 40.4 %(1.4 %)
Total Specialty756 31.2 %749 33.2 %(2.0 %)
Neon exited lines— 70 
Aggregate$756 31.2 %$819 34.2 %(3.0 %)

Property and transportation   Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.9 percentage points in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting higher profitability-based ceding commissions received from reinsurers in the crop business and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the transportation businesses in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020.

Specialty casualty   Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 2.2 percentage points in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting higher ceding commissions received from reinsurers as a result of growth in the excess liability and excess and surplus businesses and the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020.

Specialty financial   Commissions and other underwriting expenses as a percentage of net earned premiums decreased 1.3 percentage points in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflecting the impact of higher premiums on the ratio in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020.

Property and Casualty Net Investment Income
Net investment income in AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was $302 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $171 million (excluding the Neon exited lines) in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $131 million (77%). The average invested assets and overall yield earned on investments held by AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations are provided below (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020Change% Change
Net investment income:
Net investment income excluding alternative investments$162 $181 $(19)(10 %)
Alternative investments140 (10)150 (1,500 %)
Total net investment income$302 $171 $131 77 %
Average invested assets (at amortized cost)$12,539 $11,509 $1,030 %
Yield (net investment income as a % of average invested assets)4.82 %2.97 %1.85 %
Tax equivalent yield (*)4.96 %3.10 %1.86 %
(*)Adjusts the yield on equity securities and tax-exempt bonds to the fully taxable equivalent yield.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The property and casualty insurance segment’s increase in net investment income for the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020 reflects significantly higher earnings from alternative investments (partnerships and similar investments and AFG-managed CLOs), partially offset by the effect of lower fixed maturity yields, lower short-term interest rates and lower dividend income. The property and casualty insurance segment’s overall yield on investments (net investment income as a percentage of average invested assets) was 4.82% for the first six months of 2021 compared to 2.97% for the first six months of 2020, an increase of 1.85 percentage points. The annualized return earned on alternative investments was 26.3% in the first six months of 2021 compared to a negative return of 2.3% in the prior year period.

In addition to the property and casualty segment’s net investment income from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines reported a $6 million loss in the first six months of 2020 in net investment income, primarily from changes in the fair value of equity securities.

Property and Casualty Other Income and Expenses, Net
Other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations was a net expense of $12 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to $14 million for the first six months of 2020, a decrease of $2 million (14%). The table below details the items included in other income and expenses, net for AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Other income$$
Other expenses
Amortization of intangibles
Other13 16 
Total other expense17 22 
Other income and expenses, net$(12)$(14)

In addition to the property and casualty segment’s other income and expenses, net from ongoing operations discussed above, the Neon exited lines incurred a net expense of $2 million in other income and expenses, net during the first six months of 2020.

Holding Company, Other and Unallocated — Results of Operations
AFG’s net GAAP pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $127 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $77 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $50 million (65%). AFG’s net core pretax loss outside of its property and casualty insurance segment (excluding realized gains and losses) totaled $116 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $77 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $39 million (51%).

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
The following table details AFG’s GAAP and core loss before income taxes from operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020% Change
Revenues:
Net investment income
$11 $(3)(467 %)
Other income — P&C fees
37 33 12 %
Other income
10 (10 %)
Total revenues
57 40 43 %
Costs and Expenses:
Property and casualty insurance — commissions and other underwriting expenses
14 10 40 %
Other expense — expenses associated with P&C fees
23 23 — %
Other expenses (*)89 44 102 %
Costs and expenses, excluding interest charges on borrowed money
126 77 64 %
Loss before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses and interest charges on borrowed money(69)(37)86 %
Interest charges on borrowed money
47 40 18 %
Core loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses(116)(77)51 %
Pretax non-core loss on pension settlement(11)— — %
GAAP loss from continuing operations before income taxes, excluding realized gains and losses$(127)$(77)65 %
(*)Excludes a pretax non-core loss of $11 million related to the settlement of pension liabilities of a small former manufacturing operation in the second quarter of 2021.

Holding Company and Other — Net Investment Income
AFG recorded net investment income on investments held outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $11 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to a net investment loss of $3 million in the first six months of 2020, a change of $14 million (467%). The parent company holds a small portfolio of securities that are carried at fair value through net investment income. These securities increased in value by $6 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to a decrease in value of $6 million in the first six months of 2020.

Holding Company and Other — P&C Fees and Related Expenses
Summit, a workers’ compensation insurance subsidiary, collects fees from a small group of unaffiliated insurers for providing underwriting, policy administration and claims services. In addition, certain of AFG’s property and casualty insurance businesses collect fees from customers for ancillary services such as workplace safety programs and premium financing. In the first six months of 2021, AFG collected $37 million in fees for these services compared to $33 million in the first six months of 2020. Management views this fee income, net of the $23 million in both the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2020, in expenses incurred to generate such fees, as a reduction in the cost of underwriting its property and casualty insurance policies. Consistent with internal management reporting, these fees and the related expenses are netted and recorded as a reduction of commissions and other underwriting expenses in AFG’s segmented results.

Holding Company and Other — Other Income
Other income in the table above includes $8 million in both the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2020, in management fees paid to AFG by the AFG-managed CLOs (AFG’s consolidated managed investment entities). The management fees are eliminated in consolidation — see the other income line in the Consolidate MIEs column under “Results of Operations — Segmented Statement of Earnings.” Excluding amounts eliminated in consolidation, AFG recorded other income outside of its property and casualty insurance segment of $1 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $2 million the first six months of 2020.

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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued
Holding Company and Other — Other Expenses
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded other expenses of $89 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $44 million the first six months of 2020, an increase of $45 million (102%) reflecting higher holding company expenses related to employee benefit plans that are tied to stock market performance and higher expenses associated with certain incentive compensation plans.

Holding Company and Other — Interest Charges on Borrowed Money
AFG’s holding companies and other operations outside of its property and casualty insurance segment recorded interest expense of $47 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to $40 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $7 million (18%), reflecting higher average indebtedness.

The increase in interest expense for the first six months of 2021 as compared to the first six months of 2020 reflects the following financial transactions completed by AFG between January 1, 2020 and June 30, 2021:
Issued $300 million of 5.25% Senior Notes in April 2020
Issued $150 million of 5.625% Subordinated Debentures in May 2020
Issued $200 million of 4.50% Subordinated Debentures in September 2020
Redeemed $150 million of 6% Subordinated Debentures in November 2020

Holding Company and Other — Loss on Pension Settlement
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG settled pension liabilities related to a small former manufacturing operation resulting in a pretax non-core loss of $11 million.

Realized Gains (Losses) on Securities
AFG’s realized gains (losses) on securities were net gains of $120 million in the first six months of 2021 compared to net losses of $220 million in the first six months of 2020, a change of $340 million (155%). Realized gains (losses) on securities consisted of the following (in millions):
Six months ended June 30,
20212020
Realized gains (losses) before impairments:
Disposals$$
Change in the fair value of equity securities119 (211)
Change in the fair value of derivatives(2)
119 (206)
Change in allowance for impairments on securities(14)
Realized gains (losses) on securities$120 $(220)

The $119 million net realized gain from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the first six months of 2021 includes gains of $31 million on investments in energy and natural gas companies, $24 million on investments in healthcare companies, $19 million on investments in banks and financing companies and $19 million on investments in media companies. The $211 million net realized loss from the change in the fair value of equity securities in the first six months of 2020 includes losses of $58 million on investments in banks and financing companies, $44 million from investments in media companies, $26 million on investments in natural gas companies, $21 million on real estate investment trusts, $14 million on investments in energy companies and $10 million on insurance companies.

Realized Gain on Subsidiary
In the second quarter of 2021, AFG recognized a pretax gain on sale of subsidiary of $4 million related to contingent consideration received on the sale of Neon. See “Results of Operations — General” for the discussion of the December 2019 decision to exit the Lloyd’s of London insurance market.

Consolidated Income Taxes on Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated provision (credit) for income taxes on continuing operations was a provision of $116 million for the first six months of 2021 compared to a credit of $4 million for the first six months of 2020, a change of $120 million (3,000%). See Note K — “Income Taxes” to the financial statements for an analysis of items affecting AFG’s effective tax rate on continuing operations.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations — Continued

Consolidated Noncontrolling Interests in Continuing Operations
AFG’s consolidated net earnings (loss) attributable to noncontrolling interests was a net loss $13 million for the first six months of 2020 reflecting losses at Neon, which was sold in December 2020.

Real Estate Entities Acquired from the Annuity Operations
Beginning with the first quarter of 2021, the results of the annuity businesses to be sold are reported as discontinued operations, in accordance with GAAP, which included adjusting prior period results to reflect these operations as discontinued. Prior to the completion of the sale, AFG’s property and casualty insurance operations acquired approximately $480 million in real-estate related partnerships and AFG parent acquired approximately $100 million of directly owned real estate from those operations. GAAP pretax earnings from continuing operations includes the earnings from these entities and certain other expenses that will be retained from the annuity operations.

The retained real estate entities contributed $51 million in GAAP pretax earnings in the first six months of 2021 compared to $19 million in the first six months of 2020, an increase of $32 million (168%). This increase reflects higher earnings from the real-estate related partnerships in the first six months of 2021 compared to the first six months of 2020.

Discontinued Annuity Operations
AFG’s discontinued annuity operations contributed $324 million in GAAP pretax earnings (excluding the gain on the sale of the annuity operations) in the first six months of 2021 compared to a pretax net loss of $125 million in the first six months of 2020, a change of $449 million (359%) reflecting the following:
net realized gains on securities in the first six months of 2021 compared to net realized losses in the first six months of 2020,
significantly higher earnings from partnerships and similar investments,
the negative impact from the run-off of higher yielding investments and lower short-term interest rates,
the positive impact of strong stock market performance in the first six months of 2021 compared to the unfavorable impact of the decline in stock market performance in the first six months of 2020,
the negative impact of lower than expected interest rates in both the first six months of 2021 and the first six months of 2020 on the accounting for fixed indexed annuities (“FIAs”), and
the negative impact of the amortization of the deferred loss related to the annuity block reinsurance transaction entered into in the fourth quarter of 2020 and other reinsurance impacts in the first six months of 2021.

The following table details AFG’s earnings (loss) before and after income taxes and the gain on the sale from its discontinued annuity operations for the six months ended June 30, 2021 and 2020 (dollars in millions):

Six months ended June 30,
2021 (*)2020% Change
Pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings:
Pretax annuity earnings before items below$106 $166 (36 %)
Earnings on partnerships and similar investments139 (64)(317 %)
Total pretax annuity earnings historically reported as core operating earnings245 102 140 %
Pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings:
Impact of reinsurance, derivatives related to FIAs and other impacts of changes in the stock market and interest rates on FIAs over or under option costs(33)(97)(66 %)
Realized gains (losses) on securities112 (127)(188 %)
Run-off life and long-term care— (3)(100 %)
Total pretax amounts previously reported outside of annuity core earnings79 (227)(135 %)
GAAP pretax earnings (loss) from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the gain on the sale of the discontinued annuity operations324 (125)(359 %)
Provision (credit) for income taxes66 (29)(328 %)
GAAP net earnings (loss) from discontinued annuity operations, excluding the sale of the discontinued annuity operations258 (96)(369 %)
Gain on sale of discontinued annuity operations, net of tax656 — — %
GAAP net earnings (loss) from discontinued annuity operations$914 $(96)(1,052 %)
(*)Results through the May 31, 2021 effective date of the sale.
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AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 3. Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosure about Market Risk

As of June 30, 2021, there were no material changes to the information provided in Item 7A — Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk of AFG’s 2020 Form 10-K.

ITEM 4. Controls and Procedures

AFG’s management, with participation of its Co-Chief Executive Officers and its Chief Financial Officer, has evaluated AFG’s disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rule 13a-15) as of the end of the period covered by this report. Based on that evaluation, AFG’s Co-CEOs and CFO concluded that the controls and procedures are effective. There have been no changes in AFG’s internal control over financial reporting during the second fiscal quarter of 2021 that materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting.

In the ordinary course of business, AFG and its subsidiaries routinely enhance their information systems by either upgrading current systems or implementing new systems. There has been no change in AFG’s business processes and procedures during the second fiscal quarter of 2021 that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, AFG’s internal control over financial reporting.

PART II
OTHER INFORMATION
ITEM 2. Unregistered Sales of Equity Securities and Use of Proceeds

Issuer Purchases of Equity Securities   AFG repurchased shares of its Common Stock during 2021 as follows:
Total
Number
of Shares
Purchased
Average
Price Paid
Per Share
Total Number
of Shares
Purchased as
Part of Publicly
Announced Plans
or Programs
Maximum Number
of Shares
that May
Yet be Purchased
Under the Plans
or Programs (b)
First quarter1,757,702 $108.98 1,757,702 3,710,904 
Second quarter:
April94,273 $115.07 94,273 3,616,631 
May447,048 128.39 447,048 8,169,583 
June375,199 121.99 375,199 7,794,384 
Total2,674,222 $114.26 (a)2,674,222  
(a)In June 2021, AFG paid a special dividend of $14.00 per share of its Common Stock. The average price paid per share adjusted for the special dividend was $102.23 for the six months ended June 2021.
(b)Represents the remaining shares that may be repurchased until December 31, 2025 under the Plans authorized by AFG’s Board of Directors in October 2020 and May 2021. In May 2021, AFG’s Board of Directors authorized the repurchase of five million additional shares.

In addition, AFG acquired 76,984 shares of its Common Stock (at an average of $106.58 per share) in the first quarter of 2021, 274 shares of its Common Stock (at $114.09 per share) in April 2021, 13,418 shares (at an average of $132.45 per share) in May 2021 and 688 shares (at $123.18 per share) in June 2021 in connection with its stock incentive plans.

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Table of Contents
AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP, INC. 10-Q
ITEM 6. Exhibits
 
NumberExhibit Description
101.INSXBRL Instance Document - the instance document does not appear in the Interactive Data File because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.
101.SCHInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
101.CALInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
101.DEFInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.
101.LABInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Label Linkbase Document.
101.PREInline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).


Signature
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.
August 6, 2021By: /s/ Brian S. Hertzman
 Brian S. Hertzman
 Senior Vice President and Chief Financial Officer
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