Sabal Trust CO Trims Holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

Sabal Trust CO trimmed its holdings in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL - Free Report) by 5.9% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 356,809 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 22,285 shares during the period. Aflac comprises 2.1% of Sabal Trust CO's investment portfolio, making the stock its 9th biggest holding. Sabal Trust CO owned approximately 0.06% of Aflac worth $36,908,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors have also modified their holdings of the company. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in shares of Aflac in the third quarter worth $34,000. BankPlus Trust Department acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the fourth quarter worth $34,000. Raelipskie Partnership purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the third quarter valued at $38,000. Covestor Ltd increased its stake in Aflac by 41.8% in the third quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 363 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after purchasing an additional 107 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Kennebec Savings Bank purchased a new position in Aflac during the third quarter worth about $45,000. 67.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Aflac Stock Performance

NYSE:AFL traded up $1.64 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $107.45. 1,809,578 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 1,854,386. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $104.30 and a two-hundred day moving average of $107.46. The firm has a market capitalization of $59.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 11.19, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.24 and a beta of 0.99. The company has a current ratio of 0.10, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.29. Aflac Incorporated has a 12 month low of $78.62 and a 12 month high of $115.50.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL - Get Free Report) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 5th. The financial services provider reported $1.56 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, missing analysts' consensus estimates of $1.63 by ($0.07). Aflac had a net margin of 28.76% and a return on equity of 16.20%. On average, equities analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be issued a dividend of $0.58 per share. This is a boost from Aflac's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.16%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 19th. Aflac's payout ratio is currently 24.17%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

A number of research analysts recently weighed in on AFL shares. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reduced their target price on Aflac from $107.00 to $104.00 and set a "market perform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, February 12th. StockNews.com upgraded Aflac from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Friday, February 14th. Piper Sandler dropped their price objective on shares of Aflac from $122.00 to $118.00 and set an "overweight" rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, February 7th. Evercore ISI lowered their price target on shares of Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an "underperform" rating for the company in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets assumed coverage on shares of Aflac in a report on Thursday, January 23rd. They issued a "market perform" rating and a $111.00 price objective on the stock. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have issued a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Hold" and an average target price of $102.86.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of $103.40, for a total transaction of $2,558,529.60. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 222,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,018,701.20. The trade was a 10.00 % decrease in their position. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through this link. Company insiders own 0.80% of the company's stock.

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.