Kesler Norman & Wride LLC Has $2.48 Million Stake in Aflac Incorporated $AFL

Kesler Norman & Wride LLC grew its stake in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 35.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The fund owned 24,003 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 6,242 shares during the period. Kesler Norman & Wride LLC’s holdings in Aflac were worth $2,483,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in AFL. True Wealth Design LLC increased its position in shares of Aflac by 188.5% during the third quarter. True Wealth Design LLC now owns 225 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $25,000 after purchasing an additional 147 shares during the period. Mid American Wealth Advisory Group Inc. bought a new position in Aflac during the second quarter worth about $26,000. Chilton Capital Management LLC acquired a new stake in Aflac during the second quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Whipplewood Advisors LLC raised its holdings in shares of Aflac by 1,526.7% in the 2nd quarter. Whipplewood Advisors LLC now owns 244 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 229 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Hilltop National Bank acquired a new stake in Aflac in the 2nd quarter valued at $32,000. 67.44% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Aflac Trading Down 0.9%

NYSE:AFL opened at $109.27 on Friday. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $110.63 and its 200-day simple moving average is $107.63. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $96.95 and a fifty-two week high of $115.83. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.30, a current ratio of 0.11 and a quick ratio of 0.11. The stock has a market capitalization of $57.27 billion, a PE ratio of 14.27, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 3.23 and a beta of 0.67.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Monday, February 27th. The financial services provider reported $1.07 EPS for the quarter. Aflac had a return on equity of 14.97% and a net margin of 23.55%.The company had revenue of $5.91 billion for the quarter. Sell-side analysts expect that Aflac Incorporated will post 6.88 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 2nd. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 18th will be issued a dividend of $0.61 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 18th. This is a positive change from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.58. This represents a $2.44 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.2%. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio is presently 30.29%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

Several brokerages have recently commented on AFL. Mizuho initiated coverage on shares of Aflac in a research note on Tuesday, December 16th. They issued an “underperform” rating and a $104.00 target price on the stock. Weiss Ratings restated a “buy (b+)” rating on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, December 22nd. Cowen reaffirmed a “hold” rating on shares of Aflac in a report on Monday, December 22nd. Raymond James Financial reiterated an “outperform” rating and issued a $119.00 target price (up previously from $110.00) on shares of Aflac in a research note on Tuesday, December 30th. Finally, Morgan Stanley set a $120.00 price target on shares of Aflac in a research report on Monday, December 15th. Three research analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, eight have assigned a Hold rating and three have given a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Aflac presently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $110.67.

Insider Activity

In other news, EVP Frederic Jean Guy Simard sold 1,722 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 6th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.50, for a total transaction of $193,725.00. Following the transaction, the executive vice president directly owned 1,364 shares in the company, valued at $153,450. The trade was a 55.80% decrease in their position. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at this link. Also, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 15,862 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 18th. The shares were sold at an average price of $112.00, for a total transaction of $1,776,544.00. Following the completion of the sale, the executive vice president owned 230,688 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $25,837,056. This trade represents a 6.43% decrease in their ownership of the stock. Additional details regarding this sale are available in the official SEC disclosure. Over the last three months, insiders sold 31,766 shares of company stock valued at $3,549,706. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Aflac Company 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.