BIP Alliance LLC Makes New Investment in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

BIP Alliance LLC acquired a new position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL - Free Report) during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor acquired 9,104 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $942,000. Aflac comprises 0.4% of BIP Alliance LLC's portfolio, making the stock its 24th biggest holding.

Other large investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Whipplewood Advisors LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the fourth quarter worth about $26,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new stake in Aflac during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Curio Wealth LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac during the 4th quarter worth approximately $36,000. OFI Invest Asset Management purchased a new position in Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, Rialto Wealth Management LLC purchased a new position in Aflac in the fourth quarter valued at $41,000. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company lifted their price target on shares of Aflac from $102.00 to $103.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Tuesday, May 6th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lifted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $104.00 to $106.00 and gave the stock a "market perform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, May 7th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on Aflac from $94.00 to $96.00 and gave the company a "neutral" rating in a report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Morgan Stanley lifted their price target on Aflac from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a report on Monday, May 19th. Finally, Piper Sandler upped their price objective on Aflac from $118.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock an "overweight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, April 2nd. Three research 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's stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $104.57.

Insider Activity at Aflac

In related news, Director Charles D. Lake II sold 29,802 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.29, for a total value of $3,197,456.58. Following the sale, the director now owns 49,962 shares in the company, valued at $5,360,422.98. This represents a 37.36% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, March 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $107.63, for a total value of $107,630.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 25,393 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $2,733,048.59. This represents a 3.79% decrease in their position. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Insiders sold 71,552 shares of company stock worth $7,609,382 over the last 90 days. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company's stock.

Aflac Stock Performance

NYSE:AFL traded down $0.54 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $102.88. 501,026 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,109,666. The stock has a market capitalization of $55.62 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.71, a P/E/G ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.84. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $86.46 and a 1 year high of $115.50. The company has a 50 day simple moving average of $106.53 and a 200-day simple moving average of $106.34. The company has a quick ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 0.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL - Get Free Report) last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, April 30th. The financial services provider reported $1.66 EPS for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.67 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $3.40 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.53 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 28.76% and a return on equity of 16.20%. Aflac's quarterly revenue was down 37.5% on a year-over-year basis. During the same period in the previous year, the company posted $1.66 earnings per share. Analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Announces Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 21st will be issued a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 21st. Aflac's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 36.25%.

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.