Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) Shares Sold by Natixis Advisors LLC

Natixis Advisors LLC cut its holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL - Free Report) by 13.2% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 260,842 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 39,788 shares during the quarter. Natixis Advisors LLC's holdings in Aflac were worth $26,981,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

A number of other hedge funds have also modified their holdings of AFL. Whipplewood Advisors LLC purchased a new position in Aflac in the 4th quarter valued at about $26,000. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new position in shares of Aflac during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Raelipskie Partnership purchased a new position in shares of Aflac during the third quarter valued at approximately $38,000. Finally, OFI Invest Asset Management acquired a new stake in Aflac during the fourth quarter worth approximately $38,000. 67.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction on Friday, December 27th. The shares were sold at an average price of $103.40, for a total transaction of $2,558,529.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now directly owns 222,618 shares of the company's stock, valued at approximately $23,018,701.20. This trade represents a 10.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this link. Also, Director Charles D. Lake II sold 29,802 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, March 10th. The stock was sold at an average price of $107.29, for a total transaction of $3,197,456.58. Following the completion of the transaction, 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 disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last ninety days, insiders have sold 55,546 shares of company stock valued at $5,863,616. Corporate insiders own 0.80% of the company's stock.

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Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the company. Morgan Stanley increased their price target on Aflac from $98.00 to $105.00 and gave the stock an "equal weight" rating in a research note on Friday, February 28th. Wells Fargo & Company reduced their target price on Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an "equal weight" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 19th. BMO Capital Markets began coverage on Aflac in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $111.00 price target for the company. Evercore ISI dropped their price objective on shares of Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, Keefe, Bruyette & Woods decreased their target price on shares of Aflac from $107.00 to $104.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, February 12th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have issued a hold rating and two have given a buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Aflac has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $103.36.

Aflac Trading Down 0.6 %

Shares of AFL stock traded down $0.61 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $108.10. The company's stock had a trading volume of 5,333,576 shares, compared to its average volume of 1,996,965. The company has a quick ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 0.10 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.08 billion, a PE ratio of 11.26, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.93. The company's 50 day simple moving average is $105.81 and its 200-day simple moving average is $107.66. Aflac Incorporated has a 12-month low of $79.31 and a 12-month high of $115.50.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL - Get Free Report) last released its quarterly earnings data 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%. On average, research analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 EPS for the current fiscal year.

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.