Aflac (NYSE:AFL) Stock: Insider Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan Sells 12,000 Shares

Key Points

• Japan Post Holdings sold 12,000 Aflac shares at an average price of $112.80, totaling $1.35 million. The transaction was made under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 plan and reduced its ownership by just 0.02%, leaving it with approximately 50.38 million shares.
• Aflac shares recently traded at $114.48, with a market capitalization of $57.39 billion and a 2.1% dividend yield. The company’s latest quarterly revenue exceeded estimates, but earnings per share narrowly missed consensus and revenue declined 1% year over year.
• Analysts have a consensus “Hold” rating and an average price target of $115.77. Institutional investors own 67.44% of the stock, while recent analyst actions have included both target-price reductions and upgrades.

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL - Get Free Report) major shareholder Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,000 shares of the stock in a transaction on Wednesday, October 7th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.80, for a total value of $1,353,600.00. Following the transaction, the insider directly owned 50,382,140 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $5,683,105,392. The trade was a 0.02% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. 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 Tuesday, October 6th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,050 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.49, for a total value of $1,481,044.50.
• On Monday, October 5th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 13,000 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.25, for a total value 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 value of $1,469,160.00.
• On Thursday, October 1st, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 11,900 shares of Aflac stock. The shares were 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 transaction of $1,371,656.00.
• On Monday, September 28th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,000 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.63, for a total transaction of $1,363,560.00.
• On Thursday, September 24th, Post Holdings Co. Ltd. Japan sold 12,100 shares of Aflac stock. The stock was sold at an average price of $114.64, for a total transaction 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 stock was 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 shares were sold at an average price of $116.22, for a total value of $1,487,616.00.

Aflac Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:AFL traded down $0.46 on Friday, reaching $114.48. 1,294,057 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,296,299. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $105.43 and a fifty-two week high of $130.22. The company's 50 day moving average is $117.43 and its 200-day moving average is $116.84. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.39 billion, a PE ratio of 12.27, a P/E/G ratio of 1.82 and a beta of 0.56. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29, a current ratio of 0.12 and a quick ratio of 0.12.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL - Get Free Report) last issued its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.75 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.76 by ($0.01). Aflac had a return on equity of 13.27% and a net margin of 26.91%.The company had revenue of $4.22 billion during the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $4.11 billion. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm earned $1.78 earnings per share. The business's revenue was down 1.0% compared to the same quarter last year. As a group, analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 7.04 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Dividend Announcement

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 1st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, August 19th were issued a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 19th. Aflac's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 26.15%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts recently commented on the stock. Barclays reaffirmed an "underweight" rating and issued a $101.00 price objective (up from $99.00) on shares of Aflac in a research note on Wednesday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. decreased their target price on Aflac from $117.00 to $116.00 and set a "neutral" rating for the company in a research report on Tuesday, August 11th. Weiss Ratings upgraded Aflac from a "buy (b)" rating to a "buy (a-)" rating in a report on Tuesday, September 22nd. Wells Fargo & Company set a $122.00 price target on Aflac and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a research report on Wednesday, August 19th. Finally, Jefferies Financial Group reissued a "hold" rating and issued a $108.00 price objective (up from $100.00) on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, July 10th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a Strong Buy rating, two have issued a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, Aflac presently has a consensus rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $115.77.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Aflac

Several institutional investors and hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of AFL. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in Aflac during the second quarter valued at $4,093,787,000. Legal & General Group Plc acquired a new position in Aflac in the 2nd quarter worth about $404,639,000. Bank of New York Mellon Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth about $298,418,000. Bank of America Corp DE purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac during the 2nd quarter worth about $244,516,000. Finally, First Trust Advisors LP lifted its holdings in shares of Aflac by 161.9% during the 1st quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 3,184,801 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $349,405,000 after buying an additional 1,968,738 shares during the last quarter. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Aflac News Summary

Here are the key news stories impacting Aflac this week:

• Positive Sentiment: bswift launched AI-powered carrier-configuration tools beginning with Aflac. The initiative is designed to simplify workplace-benefit plan setup and improve access to Aflac’s supplemental insurance products. While no immediate financial benefit was disclosed, the platform could support distribution efficiency and future growth. bswift launches AI-powered carrier configuration tools starting with Aflac
• Neutral Sentiment: Keefe, Bruyette & Woods lowered its price target for Aflac to $120 from $125 and maintained a “market perform” rating. The revised target still implies approximately 4.8% potential upside from the referenced price, but the cut signals limited near-term conviction rather than a bullish catalyst. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods adjusts Aflac price target
• Negative Sentiment: Mizuho issued a more pessimistic outlook for Aflac. Its previously reported target cut to $107 from $116 and “underperform” rating put additional pressure on the shares, particularly after Aflac’s latest quarterly EPS slightly missed consensus and revenue declined year over year. Mizuho issues pessimistic forecast for Aflac
• Negative Sentiment: Japan Post Holdings continued selling small portions of its large Aflac stake. It sold 13,050 shares for approximately $1.48 million under a pre-arranged Rule 10b5-1 trading plan. The sale reduced its ownership by only 0.03%, limiting the fundamental impact, but repeated disposals may create a modest supply overhang and weigh on sentiment. Japan Post Holdings Aflac share sale filing

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.

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