AFLAC (NYSE:AFL) was upgraded by Raymond James Financial from an “outperform” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a research report issued on Monday. The firm currently has a $100.00 price objective on the financial services provider’s stock, up from their prior price objective of $88.00. Raymond James Financial’s price target indicates a potential upside of 15.18% from the stock’s previous close.
Several other brokerages have also recently issued reports on AFL. Zacks Investment Research raised AFLAC from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, January 11th. Wells Fargo & Co reaffirmed a “market perform” rating and issued a $90.00 target price (up from $84.00) on shares of AFLAC in a report on Tuesday, January 9th. ValuEngine raised AFLAC from a “buy” rating to a “strong-buy” rating in a report on Sunday, December 31st. Janney Montgomery Scott reaffirmed a “buy” rating on shares of AFLAC in a report on Tuesday, January 16th. Finally, Citigroup raised AFLAC to a “strong-buy” rating and lifted their target price for the stock from $88.00 to $100.00 in a report on Monday. Three analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, seven have given a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and three have issued a strong buy rating to the company’s stock. The stock presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $83.88.
Shares of AFLAC (NYSE:AFL) opened at $86.82 on Monday. The company has a current ratio of 0.07, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.24. The company has a market capitalization of $34,130.00, a PE ratio of 12.60, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.34 and a beta of 1.02. AFLAC has a twelve month low of $66.50 and a twelve month high of $91.73.
In other AFLAC news, COO Masatoshi Koide sold 6,250 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, December 28th. The stock was sold at an average price of $88.00, for a total transaction of $550,000.00. Following the completion of the transaction, the chief operating officer now owns 25,037 shares in the company, valued at $2,203,256. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which can be accessed through this link. Also, insider Audrey B. Tillman sold 310 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, October 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of $83.57, for a total value of $25,906.70. Following the transaction, the insider now owns 41,937 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $3,504,675.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. In the last quarter, insiders sold 22,657 shares of company stock valued at $1,988,685. 3.00% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.
Large investors have recently made changes to their positions in the business. Baker Avenue Asset Management raised its stake in shares of AFLAC by 4.1% during the third quarter. Baker Avenue Asset Management now owns 9,790 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $569,000 after acquiring an additional 390 shares in the last quarter. Toth Financial raised its stake in shares of AFLAC by 3.2% during the fourth quarter. Toth Financial now owns 18,335 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,098,000 after acquiring an additional 565 shares in the last quarter. Park National raised its stake in shares of AFLAC by 11.1% during the fourth quarter. Park National now owns 4,056 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $242,000 after acquiring an additional 405 shares in the last quarter. Janus Capital Management raised its stake in shares of AFLAC by 399.4% during the third quarter. Janus Capital Management now owns 233,096 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $13,550,000 after acquiring an additional 186,421 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Denali Advisors raised its stake in shares of AFLAC by 7.1% during the fourth quarter. Denali Advisors now owns 130,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $7,787,000 after acquiring an additional 8,600 shares in the last quarter. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 65.70% of the company’s stock.
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AFLAC Company Profile
Aflac Incorporated is a business holding company. The Company is involved in supplemental health and life insurance, which is marketed and administered through its subsidiary, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac). The Company’s insurance business consists of two segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S.
