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

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) major shareholder Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,000 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, October 8th. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.45, for a total transaction of $1,487,850.00. Following the completion of the sale, the insider directly owned 50,369,140 shares in the company, valued at approximately $5,764,748,073. This trade represents a 0.03% decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. The transaction was executed under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. Major shareholders that own at least 10% of a company’s stock are required to disclose their sales and purchases with the SEC.

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

• On Wednesday, October 7th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,000 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.80, for a total transaction of $1,353,600.00.
• On Tuesday, October 6th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,050 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.49, for a total transaction of $1,481,044.50.
• On Monday, October 5th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,000 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.25, for a total transaction of $1,459,250.00.
• 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 value 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 value of $1,555,200.00.
• On Monday, September 21st, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,200 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $115.49, for a total value of $1,408,978.00.

Aflac Trading Up 0.3%

Shares of AFL stock traded up $0.32 during trading hours on Tuesday, reaching $116.21. The company’s stock had a trading volume of 160,878 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,282,205. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.26 billion, a P/E ratio of 12.45, a P/E/G ratio of 1.85 and a beta of 0.56. Aflac Incorporated has a one year low of $105.43 and a one year high of $130.22. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $116.95 and its 200 day simple moving average is $116.97. The company has a current ratio of 0.12, a quick ratio of 0.12 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.75 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.76 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $4.22 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.11 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 26.91% and a return on equity of 13.27%. Aflac’s revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company earned $1.78 EPS. Equities research analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 7.04 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were given a dividend of $0.61 per share. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, August 19th. Aflac’s payout ratio is presently 26.15%.

Institutional Trading of Aflac

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AFL. Compound Planning Inc. boosted its stake in Aflac by 0.7% during the first quarter. Compound Planning Inc. now owns 13,743 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,508,000 after acquiring an additional 91 shares in the last quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC grew its holdings in Aflac by 1.3% in the second quarter. Studio Investment Management LLC now owns 7,650 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $897,000 after purchasing an additional 96 shares during the period. Lewis Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Aflac by 2.8% during the first quarter. Lewis Asset Management LLC now owns 3,935 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $432,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Apella Capital LLC increased its stake in shares of Aflac by 2.7% during the second quarter. Apella Capital LLC now owns 4,154 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $505,000 after purchasing an additional 110 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Secure Asset Management LLC increased its stake in shares of Aflac by 1.7% during the second quarter. Secure Asset Management LLC now owns 6,697 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $785,000 after purchasing an additional 111 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors own 67.44% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several research analysts have commented on AFL shares. Barclays restated an “underweight” rating and issued a $101.00 price objective (up from $99.00) on shares of Aflac in a report on Wednesday, October 7th. Piper Sandler reiterated an “overweight” rating and set a $138.00 price target (up from $130.00) on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Wolfe Research started coverage on shares of Aflac in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $103.00 price target on the stock. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their price target on shares of Aflac from $117.00 to $116.00 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Tuesday, August 11th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Aflac from $125.00 to $120.00 and set a “market perform” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, three have assigned a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and four have issued a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $117.00.

Trending Headlines about Aflac

Here are the key news stories impacting Aflac this week:

• Positive Sentiment: Bank of America maintained a “Buy” rating on Aflac while lowering its price target from $137 to $133. The new target still implies approximately 14.8% upside from the reference price of $115.83, providing the clearest positive signal in the latest coverage.
• Neutral Sentiment: Sell-side analysts continue to show a cautious stance: Aflac was reported as having a consensus “Hold” rating, while KBW reaffirmed its “Hold” recommendation. Aflac Stock Rated Hold by Sell-Side Analysts KBW Reaffirms Hold Rating
• Negative Sentiment: Wells Fargo reduced its price target from $122 to $116 and assigned an “Equal Weight” rating. The revised target indicates virtually no upside from $115.83, suggesting limited near-term appreciation potential. Wells Fargo Adjusts Aflac Price Target
• Negative Sentiment: Several Aflac insiders or major shareholders reported selling shares in preplanned transactions, including sales valued at approximately $1.48 million, $1.35 million and an additional 12,000 shares. Planned sales do not necessarily signal deteriorating fundamentals, but they can weigh on sentiment. Major Shareholder Sells Stock Insider Selling at Aflac Owner Sells Shares in Preplanned Trade

Aflac Company Profile

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.