Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) Shares Purchased by Princeton Global Asset Management LLC

Princeton Global Asset Management LLC raised its holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) by 10.7% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The firm owned 1,140 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 110 shares during the quarter. Princeton Global Asset Management LLC’s holdings in Aflac were worth $118,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in AFL. Darwin Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac during the third quarter worth $34,000. Raelipskie Partnership purchased a new position in Aflac during the 3rd quarter worth $38,000. Covestor Ltd lifted its stake in shares of Aflac by 41.8% in the 3rd quarter. Covestor Ltd now owns 363 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $41,000 after acquiring an additional 107 shares during the period. Kennebec Savings Bank acquired a new stake in shares of Aflac in the 3rd quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Catalyst Capital Advisors LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Aflac in the third quarter valued at about $51,000. 67.44% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Aflac Stock Performance

Aflac stock opened at $106.65 on Tuesday. Aflac Incorporated has a fifty-two week low of $75.44 and a fifty-two week high of $115.50. The company has a market capitalization of $59.25 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.06, a PEG ratio of 2.16 and a beta of 0.99. The stock has a fifty day moving average of $105.50 and a two-hundred day moving average of $106.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.32, a quick ratio of 0.08 and a current ratio of 0.08.

Aflac Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced 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. This is an increase from Aflac’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.50. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 19th. This represents a $2.32 annualized dividend and a yield of 2.18%. Aflac’s payout ratio is presently 30.12%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of brokerages recently commented on AFL. Evercore ISI reduced their price objective on shares of Aflac from $104.00 to $102.00 and set an “underperform” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, December 4th. TD Cowen initiated coverage on Aflac in a research note on Wednesday, October 9th. They issued a “hold” rating and a $102.00 price target on the stock. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods cut their price objective on Aflac from $108.00 to $107.00 and set a “market perform” rating for the company in a research report on Friday, January 10th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. raised their target price on Aflac from $90.00 to $94.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Tuesday, January 7th. Finally, Barclays increased their price target on shares of Aflac from $96.00 to $98.00 and gave the company an “underweight” rating in a report on Monday, January 6th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a sell rating, eleven have given a hold rating and two have assigned a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Hold” and an average price target of $103.71.

Insider Buying and Selling at Aflac

In other news, EVP Audrey B. Tillman sold 24,744 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Friday, December 27th. The stock was 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 of the company’s stock, valued at $23,018,701.20. The trade was a 10.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is available at the SEC website. 0.80% of the stock is owned by insiders.

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.