SEC FORM 13F-HR

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not necessarily reviewed the information in this filing and has not determined if it is accurate and complete.
The reader should not assume that the information is accurate and complete.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 13F

FORM 13F COVER PAGE

OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0006
Expires:Oct 31, 2018
Estimated average burden
hours per response:23.8

Report for the Calendar Year or Quarter Ended:09-30-2018
Check here if Amendment  Amendment Number:
This Amendment (Check only one.):  is a restatement.
  adds new holdings entries.
Institutional Investment Manager Filing this Report:
Name:AMERICAN FINANCIAL GROUP INC
Address:GREAT AMERICAN INSURANCE GROUP TOWER
301 E. 4TH STREET
CINCINNATI, OH  45202
Form 13F File Number:028-04389

The institutional investment manager filing this report and the person by whom it is signed hereby represent that the person signing the report is authorized to submit it, that all information contained herein is true, correct and complete, and that it is understood that all required items, statements, schedules, lists, and tables, are considered integral parts of this form.

Person Signing this Report on Behalf of Reporting Manager:
Name:Brian S. Hertzman
Title:Vice President and Controller
Phone:513-579-2153
Signature, Place, and Date of Signing:
/s/ Brian S. HertzmanCincinnatiOH11-09-2018
[Signature][City, State][Date]
Report Type (Check only one.):
X13F HOLDINGS REPORT. (Check here if all holdings of this reporting manager are reported in this report.)
  13F NOTICE. (Check here if no holdings reported are in this report, and all holdings are reported by other reporting manager(s).)
  13F COMBINATION REPORT. (Check here if a portion of the holdings for this reporting manager are reported in this report and a portion are reported by other reporting manager(s).)
Form 13F Summary Page
Report Summary:
Number of Other Included Managers:3
Form 13F Information Table Entry Total:217
Form 13F Information Table Value Total:1,014,038
(thousands)
List of Other Included Managers:
Provide a numbered list of the name(s) and Form 13F file number(s) of all institutional investment managers with respect to which this report is filed, other than the manager filing this report.
[If there are no entries in this list, state “NONE” and omit the column headings and list entries.]
No.Form 13F File NumberName
128-498Great American Insurance Company
228-1258Great American Life Insurance Company
328-17123Great American Holding, Inc

SEC FORM 13-F Information Table

The Securities and Exchange Commission has not necessarily reviewed the information in this filing and has not determined if it is accurate and complete.
The reader should not assume that the information is accurate and complete.

UNITED STATES SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
FORM 13F

FORM 13F INFORMATION TABLE

OMB APPROVAL
OMB Number:3235-0006
Expires:Oct 31, 2018
Estimated average burden
hours per response:23.8

COLUMN 1COLUMN 2COLUMN 3COLUMN 4COLUMN 5COLUMN 6COLUMN 7COLUMN 8
VALUESHRS ORSH/PUT/INVESTMENTOTHERVOTING AUTHORITY
NAME OF ISSUERTITLE OF CLASSCUSIP(x$1000)PRN AMTPRNCALLDISCRETIONMANAGERSOLESHAREDNONE
DEUTSCHE BANK AGNAMEN AKTD1819089875266,168SH DFND166,16800
DEUTSCHE BANK AGNAMEN AKTD1819089842337,200SH DFND237,20000
DEUTSCHE BANK AGNAMEN AKTD1819089870061,631SH DFND361,63100
ALLERGAN PLCSHSG0177J1089525,000SH DFND25,00000
ALLERGAN PLCSHSG0177J1089525,000SH DFND35,00000
AXOVANT SCIENCES LTDCOMG0750W10420986,197SH DFND186,19700
ENDO INTL PLCSHSG304011063,293195,690SH DFND1195,69000
ENDO INTL PLCSHSG3040110653031,500SH DFND331,50000
MALLINCKRODT PUB LTD COSHSG5785G1071,90264,900SH DFND164,90000
MALLINCKRODT PUB LTD COSHSG5785G10769023,550SH DFND323,55000
SIGNET JEWELERS LIMITEDSHSG812761003305,000SH DFND15,00000
SIGNET JEWELERS LIMITEDSHSG812761003305,000SH DFND25,00000
LIBERTY LATIN AMERICA LTDCOM CL CG9001E1282,579125,000SH DFND1125,00000
LIBERTY LATIN AMERICA LTDCOM CL CG9001E1282,579125,000SH DFND2125,00000
CHUBB LIMITEDCOMH1467J10414,130105,734SH SOLE 105,73400
MYLAN N VSHS EURON594651091,83050,000SH DFND150,00000
MYLAN N VSHS EURON594651093,660100,000SH DFND2100,00000
MYLAN N VSHS EURON594651091,83050,000SH DFND350,00000
AGNC INVT CORPCOM00123Q1042,949158,300SH DFND1158,30000
AGNC INVT CORPCOM00123Q1046,421344,666SH DFND2344,66600
AGNC INVT CORPCOM00123Q1043,760201,834SH DFND3201,83400
ALLY FINL INCCOM02005N10046317,500SH DFND117,50000
ALLY FINL INCCOM02005N10010,448395,000SH DFND2395,00000
AMERICAN WOODMARK CORPORATIOCOM0305061093,13039,903SH DFND139,90300
ANNALY CAP MGMT INCCOM03571040969868,260SH DFND268,26000
ANWORTH MORTGAGE ASSET CPCOM0373471013,089667,250SH DFND1667,25000
ANWORTH MORTGAGE ASSET CPCOM0373471011,720371,450SH DFND2371,45000
ANWORTH MORTGAGE ASSET CPCOM0373471011,756379,250SH DFND3379,25000
APOLLO COML REAL EST FIN INCCOM03762U1052,734144,912SH DFND1144,91200
APOLLO COML REAL EST FIN INCCOM03762U1053,681195,071SH DFND2195,07100
APOLLO COML REAL EST FIN INCCOM03762U10566535,243SH DFND335,24300
APPLE INCCOM03783310024,583108,900SH DFND1108,90000
APPLE INCCOM03783310027,314121,000SH DFND2121,00000
APPLE INCCOM0378331002,73112,100SH DFND312,10000
ARCELORMITTAL SA LUXEMBOURGNY REGISTRY SH03938L2034,115133,333SH DFND1133,33300
ARCELORMITTAL SA LUXEMBOURGNY REGISTRY SH03938L2034,115133,333SH DFND2133,33300
ARLINGTON ASSET INVT CORPCL A NEW0413562057,480800,842SH DFND1800,84200
ARLINGTON ASSET INVT CORPCL A NEW0413562055,632603,006SH DFND3603,00600
BP PLCSPONSORED ADR0556221043,80382,500SH DFND282,50000
BARCLAYS PLCADR06738E2041,799201,000SH DFND1201,00000
BARCLAYS PLCADR06738E2041,548173,000SH DFND3173,00000
W R BERKLEY CORPORATIONCOM0844231029,352117,000SH SOLE 117,00000
BIOGEN INCCOM09062X1031,2363,500SH DFND13,50000
BIOGEN INCCOM09062X1031,2363,500SH DFND23,50000
BLACKSTONE GROUP L PCOM UNIT LTD09253U10813,237347,600SH DFND2347,60000
BLACKSTONE GROUP L PCOM UNIT LTD09253U1081,69144,400SH DFND344,40000
BLACKSTONE MTG TR INCNOTE 4.750% 3/109257WAC41,4931,500,000PRN DFND11,500,00000
BLACKSTONE MTG TR INCNOTE 4.750% 3/109257WAC47,9628,000,000PRN DFND28,000,00000
BLACKSTONE MTG TR INCNOTE 4.750% 3/109257WAC4498500,000PRN DFND3500,00000
BRIGHTHOUSE FINL INCCOM10922N10345810,363SH DFND110,36300
BRIGHTHOUSE FINL INCCOM10922N10344999SH DFND399900
CAPITOL FED FINL INCCOM14057J10145936,000SH DFND136,00000
CARLYLE GROUP L PCOM UTS LTD PTN14309L10218,283810,777SH DFND2810,77700
CARLYLE GROUP L PCOM UTS LTD PTN14309L1021,31658,373SH DFND358,37300
CELGENE CORPCOM1510201041,34215,000SH DFND115,00000
CELGENE CORPCOM1510201041,79020,000SH DFND220,00000
CELGENE CORPCOM1510201041,34215,000SH DFND315,00000
CENTURY CMNTYS INCCOM15650430010,513400,500SH DFND1400,50000
CENTURY CMNTYS INCCOM15650430010,513400,500SH DFND2400,50000
CITIGROUP INCCOM NEW17296742431,512439,260SH DFND1439,26000
CITIGROUP INCCOM NEW17296742418,163253,180SH DFND2253,18000
CITIGROUP INCCOM NEW17296742490112,560SH DFND312,56000
CLIPPER RLTY INCCOM18885T3066,013444,444SH DFND1444,44400
CLIPPER RLTY INCCOM18885T3069,020666,667SH DFND2666,66700
COLONY CAP INC NEWCL A COM19626G10817,1762,820,430SH DFND12,820,43000
COLONY CAP INC NEWCL A COM19626G1084,549746,906SH DFND2746,90600
COLONY CAP INC NEWCL A COM19626G108999164,039SH DFND3164,03900
COMCAST CORP NEWCL A20030N1017,330207,000SH DFND1207,00000
CONOCOPHILLIPSCOM20825C1045427,000SH DFND37,00000
DELTA AIR LINES INC DELCOM NEW2473617022,36040,804SH DFND140,80400
DELTA AIR LINES INC DELCOM NEW2473617022,03835,244SH DFND235,24400
DISH NETWORK CORPCL A25470M1091,07330,000SH DFND130,00000
DISH NETWORK CORPCL A25470M1091,07330,000SH DFND230,00000
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL LLCCOM2885223038,969560,238SH DFND1560,23800
ELLINGTON FINANCIAL LLCCOM28852230321,0901,317,309SH DFND21,317,30900
ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS L PCOM29250R10649545,000SH DFND245,00000
ENBRIDGE ENERGY PARTNERS L PCOM29250R106555,000SH DFND35,00000
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS LPUNIT LTD PRT INT29278N10375734,000SH DFND134,00000
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS LPUNIT LTD PRT INT29278N10324,7211,110,550SH DFND21,110,55000
ENERGY TRANSFER PARTNERS LPUNIT LTD PRT INT29278N1031,34660,450SH DFND360,45000
ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORPCL A2936391005,023635,834SH DFND1635,83400
ENTERCOM COMMUNICATIONS CORPCL A2936391005,023635,835SH DFND2635,83500
FLEXION THERAPEUTICS INCCOM33938J1062,972158,850SH DFND1158,85000
FLEXION THERAPEUTICS INCCOM33938J1062,972158,850SH DFND2158,85000
FRANKLIN RES INCCOM3546131011,93363,550SH DFND163,55000
FRANKLIN RES INCCOM3546131013,371110,850SH DFND2110,85000
FRANKLIN RES INCCOM3546131011,69155,600SH DFND355,60000
FULL HOUSE RESORTS INCCOM35967810910235,331SH DFND135,33100
FULL HOUSE RESORTS INCCOM3596781099131,617SH DFND231,61700
GENERAL MTRS COCOM37045V10026,182777,600SH DFND1777,60000
GENERAL MTRS COCOM37045V10010,518312,400SH DFND3312,40000
GILEAD SCIENCES INCCOM3755581035,95677,143SH DFND177,14300
GILEAD SCIENCES INCCOM3755581032,42731,428SH DFND231,42800
GILEAD SCIENCES INCCOM37555810388211,429SH DFND311,42900
GRANITE PT MTG TR INCCOM38741L10775639,231SH DFND139,23100
GRANITE PT MTG TR INCCOM38741L1072,384123,667SH DFND2123,66700
GRANITE PT MTG TR INCCOM38741L10780641,790SH DFND341,79000
GREAT AJAX CORPCOM38983D30010,692785,571SH DFND2785,57100
GREAT AJAX CORPCOM38983D30010,692785,619SH DFND3785,61900
HC2 HLDGS INCCOM4041391076,1651,007,421SH DFND21,007,42100
HOWARD BANCORP INCCOM4424961051,839103,900SH DFND1103,90000
HOWARD BANCORP INCCOM4424961051,839103,900SH DFND2103,90000
INFINITY PHARMACEUTICALS INCCOM45665G3035420,000SH DFND120,00000
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES INCCOM45774W10888324,609SH DFND124,60900
INSTEEL INDUSTRIES INCCOM45774W10879722,216SH DFND222,21600
INVESCO MORTGAGE CAPITAL INCCOM46131B10096561,000SH DFND161,00000
INVESCO MORTGAGE CAPITAL INCCOM46131B1001,944122,900SH DFND2122,90000
INVESCO MORTGAGE CAPITAL INCCOM46131B10031319,800SH DFND319,80000
INVITATION HOMES INCCOM46187W1071114,842SH DFND24,84200
INVITATION HOMES INCCOM46187W1071114,842SH DFND34,84200
IOVANCE BIOTHERAPEUTICS INCCOM46226010011210,000SH DFND110,00000
IOVANCE BIOTHERAPEUTICS INCCOM46226010011210,000SH DFND210,00000
JEFFERIES FINL GROUP INCCOM47233W1091798,159SH DFND18,15900
JEFFERIES FINL GROUP INCCOM47233W1091838,315SH DFND28,31500
KKR & CO INCCL A48251W1042,37186,953SH DFND186,95300
KKR & CO INCCL A48251W1047,409271,685SH DFND2271,68500
KKR & CO INCCL A48251W1044,689171,962SH DFND3171,96200
KAYNE ANDERSN MLP MIDS INVTCOM4866061068,338467,098SH DFND1467,09800
KAYNE ANDERSN MLP MIDS INVTCOM4866061068,338467,096SH DFND2467,09600
KELLOGG COCOM4878361082,72038,850SH DFND138,85000
LCNB CORPCOM50181P1002,003107,385SH DFND1107,38500
LCNB CORPCOM50181P100351,900SH DFND31,90000
LEGG MASON INCCOM5249011053,479111,400SH DFND1111,40000
LEGG MASON INCCOM5249011053,479111,400SH DFND2111,40000
LEGG MASON INCCOM524901105692,200SH DFND32,20000
MFA FINL INCCOM55272X10218425,000SH DFND225,00000
MFA FINL INCCOM55272X10218425,000SH DFND325,00000
MACYS INCCOM55616P1044,689135,000SH DFND1135,00000
MEDLEY CAP CORPCOM58503F1064,1261,080,073SH DFND11,080,07300
MEDLEY CAP CORPCOM58503F1063,772987,442SH DFND2987,44200
MEDLEY CAP CORPCOM58503F106789206,498SH DFND3206,49800
MEDLEY MGMT INCCL A COM58503T1061,451276,350SH DFND1276,35000
MEDLEY MGMT INCCL A COM58503T1061,589302,750SH DFND3302,75000
METLIFE INCCOM59156R1085,326114,000SH DFND1114,00000
METLIFE INCCOM59156R10851411,010SH DFND311,01000
MOLSON COORS BREWING COCL B60871R2091,53825,000SH DFND125,00000
MOLSON COORS BREWING COCL B60871R2091,53825,000SH DFND225,00000
NII HLDGS INCCOM PAR62913F50814524,793SH DFND124,79300
NII HLDGS INCCOM PAR62913F508172,849SH DFND32,84900
NRG ENERGY INCCOM NEW6293775081283,424SH DFND13,42400
NRG ENERGY INCCOM NEW6293775081413,769SH DFND23,76900
NEW YORK CMNTY BANCORP INCCOM6494451033,629350,000SH DFND1350,00000
NEW YORK MTG TR INCNOTE 6.250% 1/1649604AD73,7213,750,000PRN DFND13,750,00000
NEW YORK MTG TR INCNOTE 6.250% 1/1649604AD710,48210,563,000PRN DFND210,563,00000
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP INCCL A65336K10310,692131,350SH DFND1131,35000
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP INCCL A65336K10311,595142,450SH DFND2142,45000
NEXSTAR MEDIA GROUP INCCL A65336K10390411,100SH DFND311,10000
NORTHSTAR REALTY EUROPE CORPCOM66706L1012,007141,708SH DFND1141,70800
NORTHSTAR REALTY EUROPE CORPCOM66706L1011067,458SH DFND37,45800
OAKTREE CAP GROUP LLCUNIT CL A67400120182820,000SH DFND120,00000
OAKTREE CAP GROUP LLCUNIT CL A6740012011,03525,000SH DFND225,00000
OAKTREE CAP GROUP LLCUNIT CL A6740012012075,000SH DFND35,00000
OMEROS CORPCOM6821431023,323136,113SH DFND1136,11300
OMEROS CORPCOM6821431024,984204,171SH DFND2204,17100
ORGANOVO HLDGS INCCOM68620A10410591,500SH DFND191,50000
ORGANOVO HLDGS INCCOM68620A104184160,000SH DFND2160,00000
PDVWIRELESS INCCOM69290R10414,124416,640SH DFND1416,64000
PDVWIRELESS INCCOM69290R10422,860674,329SH DFND2674,32900
PJT PARTNERS INCCOM CL A69343T1074558,690SH DFND28,69000
PJT PARTNERS INCCOM CL A69343T107581,110SH DFND31,11000
PEAK RESORTS INCCOM70469L1005,4911,120,625SH DFND11,120,62500
PEAK RESORTS INCCOM70469L100614125,361SH DFND3125,36100
PENNYMAC CORPNOTE 5.375% 5/070932AAB91,9912,000,000PRN DFND22,000,00000
POTBELLY CORPCOM73754Y10036930,000SH DFND130,00000
POTBELLY CORPCOM73754Y1001,230100,000SH DFND2100,00000
POTBELLY CORPCOM73754Y10086170,000SH DFND370,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 5.875% 1/174348TAM4854850,000PRN DFND2850,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 5.875% 1/174348TAM4151150,000PRN DFND3150,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 4.750% 4/174348TAQ511,86911,760,000PRN DFND211,760,00000
PROSPECT CAPITAL CORPORATIONNOTE 4.750% 4/174348TAQ5444440,000PRN DFND3440,00000
PRUDENTIAL FINL INCCOM74432010211,399112,500SH DFND1112,50000
PRUDENTIAL FINL INCCOM7443201027,73376,323SH DFND376,32300
REVOLUTION LIGHTING TECHNOLOCOM NEW76155G2062,563902,535SH DFND1902,53500
REVOLUTION LIGHTING TECHNOLOCOM NEW76155G2062,076730,815SH DFND2730,81500
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCSPON ADR B7802591077,235102,000SH DFND2102,00000
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCSPON ADR B7802591075678,000SH DFND38,00000
ROYAL DUTCH SHELL PLCSPONS ADR A7802592064436,500SH DFND36,50000
SELECT INTERIOR CONCEPTS INCCL A8161203075,549521,004SH DFND1521,00400
SELECT INTERIOR CONCEPTS INCCL A81612030711,0971,042,008SH DFND21,042,00800
SELECT ENERGY SVCS INCCL A COM81617J3015,022424,184SH DFND1424,18400
SELECT ENERGY SVCS INCCL A COM81617J30111,719989,764SH DFND2989,76400
SHIRE PLCSPONSORED ADR82481R1064,53225,000SH DFND125,00000
SHIRE PLCSPONSORED ADR82481R1064,53225,000SH DFND225,00000
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INCCL A82922610912,236431,599SH DFND1431,59900
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INCCL A82922610912,940456,450SH DFND2456,45000
SINCLAIR BROADCAST GROUP INCCL A82922610970925,000SH DFND325,00000
SPECTRUM BRANDS HLDGS INC NECOM84790A10578510,500SH DFND110,50000
SPECTRUM BRANDS HLDGS INC NECOM84790A10578510,500SH DFND210,50000
STARWOOD PPTY TR INCCOM85571B10532315,000SH DFND215,00000
STARWOOD PPTY TR INCCOM85571B10532315,000SH DFND315,00000
SUTHERLAND ASSET MGMT CORP MCOM86933G1056,113367,152SH DFND1367,15200
SUTHERLAND ASSET MGMT CORP MCOM86933G10515,090906,290SH DFND2906,29000
SUTHERLAND ASSET MGMT CORP MCOM86933G1053,443206,770SH DFND3206,77000
TPG SPECIALTY LENDING INCNOTE 4.500% 8/087265KAD45,0295,000,000PRN DFND15,000,00000
TPG SPECIALTY LENDING INCNOTE 4.500% 8/087265KAD415,08615,000,000PRN DFND215,000,00000
TAPESTRY INCCOM87603010712,130241,300SH DFND1241,30000
TAPESTRY INCCOM8760301077,224143,700SH DFND3143,70000
TEVA PHARMACEUTICAL INDS LTDSPONSORED ADR8816242091,93990,000SH DFND190,00000
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRA CORPCOM89147L1007,317271,719SH DFND1271,71900
TORTOISE ENERGY INFRA CORPCOM89147L1005,385199,964SH DFND2199,96400
TORTOISE MLP FD INCCOM89148B1011,46891,280SH DFND191,28000
TORTOISE MLP FD INCCOM89148B1011,46891,281SH DFND291,28100
TRIBUNE MEDIA COCL A89604750313,667355,627SH DFND1355,62700
TRIBUNE MEDIA COCL A89604750313,667355,626SH DFND2355,62600
TWENTY FIRST CENTY FOX INCCL A90130A1012,31750,000SH DFND150,00000
TWENTY FIRST CENTY FOX INCCL A90130A1012,31750,000SH DFND250,00000
TWO HBRS INVT CORPCOM NEW90187B4087,466500,042SH DFND1500,04200
TWO HBRS INVT CORPCOM NEW90187B40812,910864,735SH DFND2864,73500
TWO HBRS INVT CORPCOM NEW90187B4083,357224,823SH DFND3224,82300
TWO HBRS INVT CORPNOTE 6.250% 1/190187BAA917,21716,722,000PRN DFND216,722,00000
USA COMPRESSION PARTNERS LPCOMUNIT LTDPAR90290N1091,960118,721SH DFND2118,72100
USA COMPRESSION PARTNERS LPCOMUNIT LTDPAR90290N10918411,150SH DFND311,15000
VERIZON COMMUNICATIONS INCCOM92343V1042,82952,994SH DFND252,99400
VERISK ANALYTICS INCCOM92345Y10622,445186,191SH DFND1186,19100
VIACOM INC NEWCL B92553P20114,799438,350SH DFND1438,35000
VIACOM INC NEWCL B92553P2018,665256,650SH DFND3256,65000
WELLS FARGO CO NEWCOM9497461016,412122,000SH DFND1122,00000