AlphaQuest LLC Invests $2.90 Million in Aflac Incorporated $AFL

AlphaQuest LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) during the 3rd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 25,927 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $2,896,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in the company. True Wealth Design LLC boosted its position in shares of Aflac by 188.5% in the 3rd quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 225 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. Whipplewood Advisors LLC lifted its position in Aflac by 1,526.7% in the second quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $26,000 after purchasing an additional 229 shares during the period. Chilton Capital Management LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter valued at about $26,000. Finally, Hilltop National Bank purchased a new stake in Aflac during the second quarter worth $32,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 67.44% of the company’s stock.

Insider Activity

In other news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 786 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $113.75, for a total transaction of $89,407.50. Following the completion of the transaction, the director directly owned 24,829 shares in the company, valued at $2,824,298.75. This represents a 3.07% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a filing with the SEC, which is available at the SEC website. Also, EVP Frederic Jean Guy Simard sold 1,722 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $193,725.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president directly owned 1,364 shares in the company, valued at approximately $153,450. The trade was a 55.80% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 31,766 shares of company stock valued at $3,549,706. Insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

Aflac Stock Performance

NYSE:AFL opened at $110.94 on Friday. The firm’s fifty day simple moving average is $109.74 and its 200 day simple moving average is $108.20. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $96.95 and a 1 year high of $115.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $58.14 billion, a PE ratio of 14.48, a PEG ratio of 3.26 and a beta of 0.67. The company has a current ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The financial services provider reported $2.49 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $1.77 by $0.72. Aflac had a return on equity of 14.97% and a net margin of 23.55%.The company had revenue of $4.41 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $4.36 billion. During the same quarter last year, the company earned $2.16 EPS. The company’s quarterly revenue was up 59.4% on a year-over-year basis. On average, sell-side analysts anticipate that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be paid a $0.61 dividend. This is an increase from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 18th. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.2%. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.29%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of equities analysts have recently weighed in on AFL shares. Wells Fargo & Company boosted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $107.00 to $109.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods increased their price target on Aflac from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a report on Thursday, October 9th. Raymond James Financial restated an “outperform” rating and set a $119.00 price objective (up previously from $110.00) on shares of Aflac in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Mizuho assumed coverage on Aflac in a research report on Tuesday, December 16th. They set an “underperform” rating and a $104.00 price target on the stock. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $120.00 price target on Aflac in a report on Monday, December 15th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company has a consensus rating of “Hold” and a consensus target price of $110.64.

About Aflac

Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflac’s product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans.

Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing.