Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI Has $1.50 Million Position in Aflac Incorporated $AFL

Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI grew its stake in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 7.9% during the second quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The firm owned 14,229 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,044 shares during the quarter. Commerzbank Aktiengesellschaft FI’s holdings in Aflac were worth $1,501,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in the company. AG2R LA Mondiale Gestion D Actifs acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,070,000. Belpointe Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $551,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aflac by 121.9% in the 1st quarter. Golden State Wealth Management LLC now owns 304 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $34,000 after purchasing an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Strs Ohio acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 1st quarter valued at approximately $2,626,000. Finally, Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Aflac by 11.8% in the 2nd quarter. Thurston Springer Miller Herd & Titak Inc. now owns 32,982 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $3,478,000 after purchasing an additional 3,484 shares in the last quarter. 67.44% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Aflac Stock Down 0.4%

Shares of NYSE AFL opened at $110.78 on Friday. The company has a market capitalization of $59.25 billion, a P/E ratio of 25.12, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.08 and a beta of 0.86. Aflac Incorporated has a 52-week low of $96.95 and a 52-week high of $115.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.33, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a current ratio of 0.11. The company’s 50 day moving average price is $107.55 and its 200-day moving average price is $105.52.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter. The firm had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Aflac had a net margin of 15.32% and a return on equity of 15.08%. Equities analysts forecast that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Aflac declared that its board has initiated a share buyback plan on Tuesday, August 12th that authorizes the company to buyback 100,000,000 outstanding shares. This buyback authorization authorizes the financial services provider to buy shares of its stock through open market purchases. Stock buyback plans are often a sign that the company’s leadership believes its shares are undervalued.

Aflac Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, September 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 20th were given a dividend of $0.58 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 2.1%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, August 20th. Aflac’s payout ratio is presently 52.61%.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Friday, August 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $102.57, for a total transaction of $102,570.00. Following the transaction, the director owned 25,105 shares in the company, valued at $2,575,019.85. The trade was a 3.83% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research analysts recently issued reports on the stock. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b-)” rating on shares of Aflac in a report on Wednesday. Morgan Stanley raised their price objective on shares of Aflac from $108.00 to $113.00 and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a report on Monday, August 18th. Piper Sandler set a $125.00 price objective on shares of Aflac and gave the company an “overweight” rating in a report on Tuesday. Wall Street Zen upgraded shares of Aflac from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Saturday, August 9th. Finally, Evercore ISI set a $110.00 price objective on shares of Aflac and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a report on Thursday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, seven have given a Hold rating and two have issued a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Hold” and an average target price of $109.45.

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.