Northcape Wealth Management LLC Lowers Holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

Northcape Wealth Management LLC reduced its stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 3.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 3,858 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 146 shares during the quarter. Northcape Wealth Management LLC’s holdings in Aflac were worth $399,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other large investors also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Atlas Legacy Advisors LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at $894,000. Mcdonald Partners LLC increased its position in shares of Aflac by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Mcdonald Partners LLC now owns 23,403 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,421,000 after buying an additional 162 shares in the last quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund increased its holdings in Aflac by 10.6% in the 4th quarter. Kentucky Retirement Systems Insurance Trust Fund now owns 16,506 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,707,000 after acquiring an additional 1,583 shares in the last quarter. BKM Wealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Aflac by 1.7% in the fourth quarter. BKM Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,887 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $2,471,000 after purchasing an additional 402 shares during the period. Finally, Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. boosted its holdings in Aflac by 42.6% in the 4th quarter. Atria Wealth Solutions Inc. now owns 21,738 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,249,000 after buying an additional 6,491 shares during the last quarter. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Aflac news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.40, for a total value of $2,558,529.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 222,618 shares in the company, valued at $23,018,701.20. This represents a 10.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

Aflac Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:AFL opened at $104.24 on Wednesday. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.91 billion, a PE ratio of 10.86, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.99. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $78.38 and a 1 year high of $115.50. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.10 and a quick ratio of 0.08. The firm’s 50-day moving average is $104.15 and its two-hundred day moving average is $107.30.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.56 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.63 by ($0.07). Aflac had a net margin of 28.76% and a return on equity of 16.20%. Analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.95 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be issued a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.23%. This is a positive change from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 19th. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 20.83%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on AFL shares. Evercore ISI dropped their price target on Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. StockNews.com raised shares of Aflac from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Aflac in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a “market perform” rating and a $111.00 target price on the stock. Barclays reduced their price objective on Aflac from $98.00 to $95.00 and set an “underweight” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their price target on Aflac from $107.00 to $104.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Aflac presently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $103.00.

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.