Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) Shares Purchased by Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC

Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL - Free Report) by 21.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,925 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 2,486 shares during the quarter. Fifth Third Wealth Advisors LLC's holdings in Aflac were worth $1,440,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds also recently added to or reduced their stakes in AFL. Darwin Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Aflac during the third quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Raelipskie Partnership purchased a new position in Aflac in the 3rd quarter worth about $38,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its holdings in Aflac by 41.8% during the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 363 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $41,000 after buying an additional 107 shares in the last quarter. Kennebec Savings Bank bought a new stake in shares of Aflac during the third quarter valued at approximately $45,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 3rd quarter worth $51,000. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Aflac Price Performance

Shares of Aflac stock traded up $1.11 on Thursday, hitting $105.90. 1,442,270 shares of the company were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 1,661,267. Aflac Incorporated has a 1-year low of $75.07 and a 1-year high of $115.50. The company has a quick ratio of 0.08, a current ratio of 0.08 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32. The stock has a market capitalization of $58.83 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.09 and a beta of 1.00. The company has a 50-day moving average price of $106.48 and a 200 day moving average price of $105.12.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL - Get Free Report) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, October 30th. The financial services provider reported $2.16 earnings per share for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.69 by $0.47. The business had revenue of $2.95 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $4.30 billion. Aflac had a net margin of 22.02% and a return on equity of 16.34%. The business's revenue for the quarter was down 40.4% on a year-over-year basis. During the same quarter in the prior year, the company posted $1.84 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 7.26 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 3rd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 19th will be paid a $0.58 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 19th. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.19%. This is an increase from Aflac's previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. Aflac's payout ratio is currently 30.12%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research analysts have commented on AFL shares. TD Cowen initiated coverage on shares of Aflac in a research report on Wednesday, October 9th. They set a "hold" rating and a $102.00 target price on the stock. Barclays upped their target price on Aflac from $96.00 to $98.00 and gave the stock an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Evercore ISI cut their price target on Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an "underperform" rating on the stock in a report on Wednesday, December 4th. Bank of America upped their price objective on Aflac from $115.00 to $124.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, October 10th. Finally, StockNews.com raised Aflac from a "sell" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 8th. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, ten have issued a hold rating and three have given a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $102.07.

Insider Buying and Selling

In other 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 value of $2,558,529.60. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president now owns 222,618 shares in the company, valued at approximately $23,018,701.20. This trade represents a 10.00 % decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. 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.