Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC Increases Stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 1.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 6,960 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 107 shares during the quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Aflac were worth $720,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AFL. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 3rd quarter worth about $34,000. Raelipskie Partnership acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Covestor Ltd raised its position in shares of Aflac by 41.8% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 363 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 3rd quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 3rd quarter worth about $51,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 67.44% of the company’s stock.

Aflac Trading Up 0.5 %

Shares of AFL stock opened at $103.62 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $104.87 and its two-hundred day moving average is $106.72. Aflac Incorporated has a twelve month low of $77.01 and a twelve month high of $115.50. The company has a market capitalization of $57.56 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.61, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.08, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.56 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.63 by ($0.07). Aflac had a net margin of 22.02% and a return on equity of 16.34%. Equities analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 7.26 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be paid a $0.58 dividend. This is an increase from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 19th. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 30.12%.

Insider Activity at Aflac

In related news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.40, for a total value of $2,558,529.60. Following the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 222,618 shares in the company, valued at $23,018,701.20. The trade was a 10.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available through this link. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several equities research analysts have recently weighed in on AFL shares. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Aflac from $90.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 7th. Wells Fargo & Company raised their target price on Aflac from $103.00 to $104.00 and gave the stock an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, January 14th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Aflac in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a “market perform” rating and a $111.00 target price on the stock. Barclays cut their price target on Aflac from $98.00 to $95.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Finally, Evercore ISI cut their price target on Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “underperform” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Aflac currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $103.21.

Aflac Profile

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. The company operates through Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. segments. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, work leave, GIFT, and whole and term life insurance products, as well as WAYS and child endowment plans under saving type insurance products in Japan.