Korea Investment CORP bought a new stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL – Free Report) in the 2nd quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor bought 238,478 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $27,962,000.
A number of other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in the company. BlackRock Inc. purchased a new position in Aflac during the second quarter worth about $4,093,787,000. Vanguard Group Inc. lifted its position in shares of Aflac by 13.4% during the 4th quarter. Vanguard Group Inc. now owns 57,142,072 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $6,301,056,000 after buying an additional 6,759,169 shares in the last quarter. Norges Bank purchased a new position in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter worth approximately $420,078,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp bought a new position in shares of Aflac in the second quarter valued at approximately $298,418,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP grew its holdings in shares of Aflac by 161.9% in the first quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,184,801 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $349,405,000 after acquiring an additional 1,968,738 shares in the last quarter. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors.
Aflac Stock Down 0.0%
Shares of NYSE AFL opened at $116.12 on Friday. Aflac Incorporated has a one year low of $104.66 and a one year high of $130.22. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.12 and a quick ratio of 0.12. The business’s fifty day moving average price is $121.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $116.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.22 billion, a PE ratio of 12.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.87 and a beta of 0.60.
Aflac Dividend Announcement
The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th will be given a $0.61 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, August 19th. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. Aflac’s payout ratio is 26.15%.
Insider Buying and Selling
In related news, major shareholder Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,700 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, August 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of $117.05, for a total value of $1,486,535.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider directly owned 50,817,790 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,948,222,319.50. The trade was a 0.02% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Also, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 600 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, August 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of $124.10, for a total transaction of $74,460.00. Following the sale, the director directly owned 32,710 shares in the company, valued at $4,059,311. The trade was a 1.80% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Insiders have sold a total of 497,625 shares of company stock worth $58,356,483 over the last 90 days. 0.80% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.
Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth
AFL has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Wall Street Zen lowered Aflac from a “hold” rating to a “sell” rating in a report on Saturday, August 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods boosted their price target on shares of Aflac from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. Mizuho set a $116.00 price target on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, August 10th. TD Cowen restated a “hold” rating and set a $110.00 price objective (up from $101.00) on shares of Aflac in a report on Wednesday, July 22nd. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $108.00 price objective (up from $100.00) on shares of Aflac in a research report on Friday, July 10th. One analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have issued a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $116.62.
Get Our Latest Stock Report on AFL
Key Stories Impacting Aflac
Here are the key news stories impacting Aflac this week:
- Positive Sentiment: Aflac’s quarterly dividend is $0.61 per share, or $2.44 annualized, providing a yield of roughly 2.1%. The company has a long record of dividend growth and a relatively low payout ratio of about 26%, supporting its appeal as a defensive income stock.
- Neutral Sentiment: Recent earnings were mixed: quarterly revenue of $4.22 billion exceeded analyst expectations of $4.11 billion, but earnings per share of $1.75 narrowly missed the $1.76 consensus. Revenue declined 1% year over year and EPS fell from $1.78 in the prior-year quarter, limiting fundamental momentum.
- Neutral Sentiment: Wall Street’s overall view remains cautious, with a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average price target near $116.62. Some analysts remain constructive, including Piper Sandler with a $138 target, while others maintain neutral or underweight ratings.
- Negative Sentiment: Wolfe Research initiated coverage with an “underperform” rating and a $103 price target, implying meaningful downside from recent trading levels. The call adds to existing concerns from Barclays and JPMorgan, which also have cautious ratings or targets. Wolfe Research Starts Aflac at Underperform
- Negative Sentiment: Japan Post Holdings, Aflac’s major shareholder, sold another 12,700 shares on August 19 for approximately $1.49 million, following sales of 14,200 shares on August 18 and 13,900 shares on August 17. The transactions were conducted under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan and represent only a small reduction in its stake, but the repeated selling may weigh on investor sentiment. Aflac SEC Insider Filing
About Aflac
Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflac’s product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans.
Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing.
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