Thrivent Financial for Lutherans Acquires 7,711 Shares of Aflac Incorporated $AFL

Thrivent Financial for Lutherans increased its holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 28.7% in the 2nd quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 34,580 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 7,711 shares during the quarter. Thrivent Financial for Lutherans’ holdings in Aflac were worth $3,645,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also bought and sold shares of AFL. Norges Bank bought a new stake in shares of Aflac in the second quarter worth approximately $432,201,000. Invesco Ltd. grew its position in Aflac by 16.7% in the 2nd quarter. Invesco Ltd. now owns 4,167,886 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $439,545,000 after purchasing an additional 594,971 shares during the period. VIRGINIA RETIREMENT SYSTEMS ET Al purchased a new stake in Aflac during the 2nd quarter valued at $60,954,000. Marshall Wace LLP lifted its holdings in shares of Aflac by 459.0% during the 2nd quarter. Marshall Wace LLP now owns 701,390 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $73,969,000 after buying an additional 575,915 shares during the period. Finally, Sterling Capital Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Aflac by 146.3% in the 2nd quarter. Sterling Capital Management LLC now owns 772,061 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $81,422,000 after buying an additional 458,551 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 67.44% of the company’s stock.

Aflac Trading Down 0.2%

Aflac stock opened at $110.25 on Friday. Aflac Incorporated has a 12-month low of $96.95 and a 12-month high of $115.83. The firm has a market capitalization of $57.78 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.39, a P/E/G ratio of 3.25 and a beta of 0.66. The firm has a 50 day moving average of $109.87 and a 200 day moving average of $106.84. The company has a current ratio of 0.11, a quick ratio of 0.11 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last posted its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 earnings per share for the quarter. The business had revenue of $5.91 billion during the quarter. Aflac had a net margin of 23.55% and a return on equity of 14.97%. As a group, research analysts predict that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be paid a $0.61 dividend. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This is a boost from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.29%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 15,862 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The stock was sold at an average price of $112.00, for a total value of $1,776,544.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 230,688 shares in the company, valued at $25,837,056. The trade was a 6.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a legal filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this hyperlink. Also, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 786 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of $113.75, for a total value of $89,407.50. Following the sale, the director owned 24,829 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $2,824,298.75. This represents a 3.07% decrease in their position. The SEC filing for this sale provides additional information. Insiders sold 31,766 shares of company stock valued at $3,549,706 in the last ninety days. Insiders own 0.90% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of analysts recently commented on AFL shares. Morgan Stanley set a $120.00 price objective on Aflac in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods upped their price target on shares of Aflac from $108.00 to $110.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research report on Thursday, October 9th. Weiss Ratings reiterated a “buy (b)” rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Monday, December 8th. Evercore ISI boosted their target price on shares of Aflac from $110.00 to $111.00 and gave the company an “underperform” rating in a research report on Friday, November 7th. Finally, Piper Sandler set a $125.00 price target on shares of Aflac and gave the stock an “overweight” rating in a research report on Tuesday, October 7th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, six have issued a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, the company presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $110.55.

Aflac Profile

Aflac Incorporated (American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus) is a provider of supplemental insurance products designed to help policyholders manage out-of-pocket health care and living expenses. The company underwrites a range of individual and group policies that typically pay cash benefits directly to insureds when covered events occur, enabling greater financial flexibility for medical treatment, hospital stays, critical illness, and related costs. Aflac’s product mix includes supplemental health insurance, life insurance and other specialty coverages intended to complement primary medical plans.

Founded in the mid-20th century and headquartered in Columbus, Georgia, Aflac distributes its products through a combination of employer-sponsored programs, independent brokers and agents, and direct marketing.