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Joseph L. Moskowitz, a director at Aflac Inc . (NYSE:AFL), recently sold 1,000 shares of the company’s common stock. The transaction, which took place on March 7, was conducted at a price of $107.63 per share, amounting to a total sale value of $107,630. Following this sale, Moskowitz holds 25,393 shares in the insurance company, which currently has a market capitalization of $58.35 billion and trades at an attractive P/E ratio of 11. According to InvestingPro analysis, Aflac’s stock is currently trading near its Fair Value, with the company maintaining a "GREAT" financial health score.
The sale was executed under a pre-established Rule 10b5-1 trading plan, which Moskowitz adopted on December 4, 2024. These plans allow company insiders to set up a predetermined schedule for buying or selling stock, helping to avoid any potential accusations of insider trading. InvestingPro data reveals that Aflac has maintained dividend payments for 53 consecutive years, with a current yield of 2.17%. Subscribers can access 8 additional ProTips and comprehensive financial metrics in the Pro Research Report, offering deeper insights into Aflac’s financial strength and market position.
In other recent news, AFLAC Incorporated reported its fourth-quarter earnings for 2024, which revealed an earnings per share (EPS) of $1.56, falling short of the forecasted $1.62. Despite this miss, the company reported strong revenue figures, totaling $5.4 billion, which exceeded the anticipated $4.23 billion. Barclays (LON:BARC) responded to the earnings report by lowering its price target for AFLAC from $98.00 to $95.00, maintaining an Underweight rating due to concerns over the company’s new guidance and potential margin pressures in Japan.
On a more positive note, CFRA increased its price target for AFLAC to $112, maintaining a Buy rating, reflecting confidence in the company’s valuation and financial performance. Piper Sandler also maintained an Overweight rating on AFLAC, highlighting the company’s strategy to launch a new cancer insurance product in April and its lower exposure to variable interest entities as positive factors. Additionally, Piper Sandler mentioned potential internal reinsurance transactions in Bermuda as a strategic move to watch.
AFLAC’s U.S. segment saw growth in net earned premiums and an increase in persistency, although sales in the U.S. experienced a decline. Meanwhile, in Japan, the company faced a decrease in net earned premiums due to reinsurance transactions and policies reaching paid-up status, though adjusted net investment income in Japan increased. The company’s board declared a first-quarter dividend of $0.58 per share, continuing its commitment to shareholder returns through dividends and share repurchases.
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