Allworth Financial LP Lowers Position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

Allworth Financial LP trimmed its stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 0.5% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 31,401 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 145 shares during the period. Allworth Financial LP’s holdings in Aflac were worth $3,275,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in AFL. AMF Tjanstepension AB raised its holdings in shares of Aflac by 13.3% during the 3rd quarter. AMF Tjanstepension AB now owns 252,137 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $28,206,000 after acquiring an additional 29,602 shares in the last quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC increased its position in Aflac by 1.3% in the third quarter. Commonwealth Equity Services LLC now owns 306,123 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $34,225,000 after purchasing an additional 3,845 shares during the last quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC raised its stake in Aflac by 2.5% during the third quarter. New Century Financial Group LLC now owns 4,198 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $469,000 after purchasing an additional 101 shares in the last quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC lifted its position in Aflac by 4.8% during the third quarter. Cyndeo Wealth Partners LLC now owns 4,132 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $462,000 after purchasing an additional 189 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Compass Ion Advisors LLC purchased a new position in shares of Aflac in the 3rd quarter worth $202,000. Institutional investors own 67.44% of the company’s stock.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts recently commented on the stock. Wells Fargo & Company increased their price target on shares of Aflac from $103.00 to $104.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 14th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lifted their target price on Aflac from $90.00 to $94.00 and gave the stock a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. BMO Capital Markets initiated coverage on Aflac in a research report on Thursday, January 23rd. They set a “market perform” rating and a $111.00 target price on the stock. Barclays lowered their price target on Aflac from $98.00 to $95.00 and set an “underweight” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, February 7th. Finally, Truist Financial boosted their price objective on shares of Aflac from $100.00 to $105.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday, November 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Aflac presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $103.00.

Aflac Stock Down 0.6 %

Shares of NYSE:AFL opened at $103.46 on Tuesday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $104.18 and its 200 day moving average is $107.25. The stock has a market cap of $57.48 billion, a P/E ratio of 10.78, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.10 and a beta of 0.99. Aflac Incorporated has a 52-week low of $78.38 and a 52-week high of $115.50. 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) last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.56 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $1.63 by ($0.07). Aflac had a net margin of 28.76% and a return on equity of 16.20%. Sell-side analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.95 EPS for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be given a $0.58 dividend. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 2.24%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 19th. This is a boost from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio is presently 20.83%.

Insider Activity at Aflac

In other Aflac news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction dated Friday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.40, for a total value of $2,558,529.60. Following the transaction, the executive vice president now owns 222,618 shares in the company, valued at $23,018,701.20. The trade was a 10.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.90% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Aflac Company 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.