Insider Selling: Aflac (NYSE:AFL) Major Shareholder Sells 13,000 Shares of Stock

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) major shareholder Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,000 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction dated Monday, October 5th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.25, for a total value of $1,459,250.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the insider owned 50,407,190 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,658,207,077.50. This represents a 0.03% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through the SEC website. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Major shareholders that own at least 10% of a company’s shares are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan also recently made the following trade(s):

• On Friday, October 2nd, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,200 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.30, for a total transaction of $1,469,160.00.
• On Thursday, October 1st, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 11,900 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $111.18, for a total transaction of $1,323,042.00.
• On Tuesday, September 29th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,100 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.36, for a total value of $1,371,656.00.
• On Monday, September 28th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,000 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.63, for a total value of $1,363,560.00.
• On Thursday, September 24th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,100 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $114.64, for a total value of $1,387,144.00.
• On Wednesday, September 23rd, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,500 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.20, for a total transaction of $1,555,200.00.
• On Monday, September 21st, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,200 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $115.49, for a total transaction of $1,408,978.00.
• On Friday, September 18th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,800 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.22, for a total transaction of $1,487,616.00.
• On Thursday, September 17th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,900 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $116.58, for a total transaction of $1,503,882.00.
• On Wednesday, September 16th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,800 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $117.49, for a total value of $1,621,362.00.

Aflac Trading Down 0.6%

Shares of AFL traded down $0.72 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $112.91. 169,780 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,296,669. The business has a 50 day simple moving average of $118.00 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $116.75. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a current ratio of 0.12. The stock has a market capitalization of $56.60 billion, a PE ratio of 12.10, a PEG ratio of 1.81 and a beta of 0.56. Aflac Incorporated has a 52 week low of $105.43 and a 52 week high of $130.22.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.76 by ($0.01). Aflac had a return on equity of 13.27% and a net margin of 26.91%.The firm had revenue of $4.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $1.78 EPS. The firm’s revenue for the quarter was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. On average, analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 7.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were paid a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 19th. Aflac’s payout ratio is currently 26.15%.

Key Aflac News

Here are the key news stories impacting Aflac this week:

• Positive Sentiment: UBS raised its price target to $125 from $124 while keeping a Neutral rating. The higher target suggests slightly improved valuation expectations and supports the stock’s recent strength. UBS adjusts price target on Aflac
• Positive Sentiment: Aflac’s new study found that one in three U.S. workers lacks a legacy plan. The planning gap could support long-term demand for Aflac’s life-insurance and supplemental-protection products, although the announcement did not provide a financial forecast. Aflac legacy planning study
• Neutral Sentiment: Barclays increased its price target to $101 from $99 but maintained an Underweight rating. The target increase is mildly supportive, but the bearish rating highlights continued concerns about Aflac’s near-term upside. Barclays adjusts Aflac price target
• Negative Sentiment: Japan Post Holdings, a major Aflac shareholder, sold 13,200 shares for approximately $1.47 million on October 2, following a 11,900-share sale worth about $1.32 million on October 1. The trades occurred under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan and reduced its stake by only about 0.05% combined, limiting the fundamental impact but potentially creating a modest supply overhang. Japan Post Holdings sells Aflac shares

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aflac

A number of hedge funds have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Meiji Yasuda Asset Management Co Ltd. purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter worth about $6,630,000. Atlas Wealth LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aflac during the 1st quarter valued at $1,802,000. Callan Family Office LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aflac during the 2nd quarter valued at $2,546,000. Tidal Investments LLC increased its holdings in shares of Aflac by 137.4% in the second quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 40,904 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $4,796,000 after purchasing an additional 23,677 shares during the period. Finally, Fifth Third Bancorp increased its holdings in shares of Aflac by 135.5% in the first quarter. Fifth Third Bancorp now owns 142,180 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $15,599,000 after purchasing an additional 81,803 shares during the period. 67.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

AFL has been the topic of a number of research analyst reports. Weiss Ratings upgraded Aflac from a “buy (b)” rating to a “buy (a-)” rating in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Piper Sandler reaffirmed an “overweight” rating and set a $138.00 target price (up from $130.00) on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their target price on Aflac from $120.00 to $125.00 and gave the stock a “market perform” rating in a report on Tuesday, August 11th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced their price target on shares of Aflac from $117.00 to $116.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, UBS Group restated a “neutral” rating and set a $125.00 price target (up from $124.00) on shares of Aflac in a research note on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have given a Buy rating, seven have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $116.85.

About Aflac

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) is an insurance company that provides supplemental health and life insurance products to individuals, employers and groups. Its coverage is designed to help policyholders manage expenses that may not be fully covered by major medical insurance, including costs associated with illness, injury and other qualifying events.

The company’s products include accident, cancer, critical illness, hospital indemnity, disability, dental, vision and life insurance. Aflac distributes its policies through workplace benefits programs, independent agents, brokers and other distribution channels.

Founded in 1955 as American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, Aflac has its headquarters in Columbus, Georgia.