Bessemer Group Inc. Raises Stock Holdings in Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL)

Posted by Defense World Staff on Aug 22nd, 2023

Bessemer Group Inc. lifted its holdings in shares of Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL – Free Report) by 32.4% during the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The fund owned 13,338 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 3,263 shares during the period. Bessemer Group Inc.’s holdings in Aflac were worth $861,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

A number of other institutional investors have also modified their holdings of AFL. Valmark Advisers Inc. increased its stake in Aflac by 0.7% in the first quarter. Valmark Advisers Inc. now owns 23,179 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,495,000 after purchasing an additional 153 shares during the period. Good Life Advisors LLC lifted its position in Aflac by 0.6% during the 1st quarter. Good Life Advisors LLC now owns 24,699 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $1,594,000 after acquiring an additional 159 shares during the period. Laidlaw Wealth Management LLC grew its stake in shares of Aflac by 1.8% in the 4th quarter. Laidlaw Wealth Management LLC now owns 9,385 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $675,000 after purchasing an additional 165 shares during the last quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC increased its holdings in shares of Aflac by 12.5% in the fourth quarter. Stonebridge Capital Advisors LLC now owns 1,491 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $107,000 after purchasing an additional 166 shares during the period. Finally, Kinneret Advisory LLC raised its stake in shares of Aflac by 2.3% during the first quarter. Kinneret Advisory LLC now owns 8,441 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $544,000 after purchasing an additional 190 shares during the last quarter. 66.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Aflac Stock Down 0.5 %

Shares of NYSE AFL opened at $74.45 on Tuesday. Aflac Incorporated has a 1 year low of $56.03 and a 1 year high of $78.43. The firm’s 50 day moving average price is $71.80 and its 200 day moving average price is $68.34. The firm has a market cap of $44.23 billion, a P/E ratio of 9.95, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.28 and a beta of 0.94. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.35, a quick ratio of 0.07 and a current ratio of 0.07.

Aflac Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, September 1st. Investors of record on Wednesday, August 23rd will be given a dividend of $0.42 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Tuesday, August 22nd. This represents a $1.68 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 2.26%. Aflac’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 22.46%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several equities analysts have issued reports on AFL shares. 58.com reissued a “reiterates” rating on shares of Aflac in a research note on Friday, June 9th. Citigroup raised their price target on Aflac from $69.00 to $76.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 9th. Truist Financial increased their target price on shares of Aflac from $70.00 to $80.00 and gave the company a “hold” rating in a report on Thursday, August 3rd. JPMorgan Chase & Co. increased their target price on shares of Aflac from $72.00 to $74.00 and gave the company a “neutral” rating in a report on Wednesday, August 2nd. Finally, StockNews.com started coverage on shares of Aflac in a report on Thursday, August 17th. They issued a “hold” rating for the company. Seven investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have assigned a buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $76.00.

Read Our Latest Stock Analysis on Aflac

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.60, for a total transaction of $34,800.00. Following the sale, the director now owns 27,085 shares in the company, valued at $1,885,116. The sale was disclosed in a document filed with the SEC, which can be accessed through this hyperlink. In related news, SVP Albert Riggieri sold 7,649 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of $76.09, for a total transaction of $582,012.41. Following the transaction, the senior vice president now owns 26,210 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,994,318.90. The transaction was disclosed in a document filed with the Securities & Exchange Commission, which is accessible through this hyperlink. Also, Director Joseph L. Moskowitz sold 500 shares of Aflac stock in a transaction on Monday, July 3rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $69.60, for a total transaction of $34,800.00. Following the transaction, the director now owns 27,085 shares in the company, valued at approximately $1,885,116. The disclosure for this sale can be found here. Over the last 90 days, insiders have sold 26,815 shares of company stock worth $2,036,019. 0.90% of the stock is owned by insiders.

Aflac Profile

(Free Report)

Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. 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.