La vendita allo scoperto per Aflac dà agli investitori un'idea del grado in cui gli investitori stanno scommettendo sul declino delle azioni di Aflac. I dati relativi alle vendite allo scoperto vengono aggiornati ogni due settimane.

Aflac (NYSE:AFL) Azioni, Report sulle vendite allo scoperto

Aflac

Aflac Inc offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in United States and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accident, dental and vision, disability, and long-term-care insurance. It markets its products through independent distributors, selling majority of its policies directly to consumers at their places of work and also reaches out to its customers out of their worksite through digital mediums. The company has two reportable business segments; Aflac Japan which generates the majority of the revenue, and Aflac U.S.

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Aflac Inc

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Aflac shares are trading higher. Wells Fargo raised its price target on the stock from $106 to $107.

<p>Wells Fargo  analyst Elyse Greenspan   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $106 to $107.</p>


Price Target

Analyst Ratings

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $107

<p>12 analysts have expressed a variety of opinions on Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) over the past quarter, offering a diverse set of opinions from bullish to bearish.</p>
<p>The following table encapsulates their recent ratings, offering a glimpse into the evolving sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>Analysts have set 12-month price targets for Aflac, revealing an average target of $103.92, a high estimate of $124.00, and a low estimate of $90.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 9.16% increase from the previous average price target of $95.20.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730494849_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
<p>A clear picture of Aflac's perception among financial experts is painted with a thorough analysis of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Mark Hughes</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Shanker</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$124.00</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elyse Greenspan</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$106.00</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Andrew Kligerman</td>
<td>TD Cowen</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$102.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jimmy Bhullar</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$85.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$122.00</td>
<td>$114.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Gallagher</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underperform</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alex Scott</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Shanker</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nigel Dally</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
<td>$91.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Meredith</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$109.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elyse Greenspan</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$81.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Aflac. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Delving into assessments, analysts assign qualitative values, from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings communicate expectations for the relative performance of Aflac compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Analysts provide insights into price targets, offering estimates for the future value of Aflac's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
<p>Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Aflac's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Aflac analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>Delving into Aflac's Background</h2>
<p>Aflac Inc offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in United States and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accident, dental and vision, disability, and long-term-care insurance. It markets its products through independent distributors, selling majority of its policies directly to consumers at their places of work and also reaches out to its customers out of their worksite through digital mediums. The company has two reportable business segments; Aflac Japan which generates the majority of the revenue, and Aflac U.S.</p>
<h3>Key Indicators: Aflac's Financial Health</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization:</strong> Boasting an elevated market capitalization, the company surpasses industry averages. This signals substantial size and strong market recognition.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Challenges:</strong> Aflac's revenue growth over 3 months faced difficulties. As of 30 September, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately <strong>-42.82%</strong>. This indicates a decrease in top-line earnings. As compared to its peers, the revenue growth lags behind its industry peers. The company achieved a growth rate lower than the average among peers in Financials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> The company's net margin is below industry benchmarks, signaling potential difficulties in achieving strong profitability. With a net margin of <strong>-3.15%,</strong> the company may need to address challenges in effective cost control.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Aflac's ROE is below industry standards, pointing towards difficulties in efficiently utilizing equity capital. With an ROE of <strong>-0.37%,</strong> the company may encounter challenges in delivering satisfactory returns for shareholders.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Aflac's ROA lags behind industry averages, suggesting challenges in maximizing returns from its assets. With an ROA of <strong>-0.07%,</strong> the company may face hurdles in achieving optimal financial performance.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> Aflac's debt-to-equity ratio is below industry norms, indicating a sound financial structure with a ratio of <strong>0.32</strong>.</p>
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
<p>Ratings come from analysts, or specialists within banking and financial systems that report for specific stocks or defined sectors (typically once per quarter for each stock). Analysts usually derive their information from company conference calls and meetings, financial statements, and conversations with important insiders to reach their decisions.</p>
<p>Some analysts also offer predictions for helpful metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates to provide further guidance as to what to do with certain tickers. It is important to keep in mind that while stock and sector analysts are specialists, they are also human and can only forecast their beliefs to traders.</p>
<p><strong>Which Stocks Are Analysts Recommending Now?</strong></p>
<p>Benzinga Edge gives you instant access to all major analyst upgrades, downgrades, and price targets. Sort by accuracy, upside potential, and more. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/premium/ideas/benzinga-edge-checkout/?t=be8be9arja3be22bz21&amp;utm_source=benzinga-insights"><strong>Click here to stay ahead of the market</strong></a>.</p>
<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


Expert Ratings For Aflac

<p>Truist Securities  analyst Mark Hughes   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Hold and raises the price target from $100 to $105.</p>


Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $105

Aflac shares are trading lower after the company reported worse-than-expected Q3 revenue results. The company also announced a new President.

Management

Aflac Names Virgil Miller As President

<p>Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) reported quarterly earnings of $2.19 per share which beat the analyst consensus estimate of $1.68 by 30.36 percent. This is a 19.02 percent increase over earnings of $1.84 per share from the same period last year.  The company reported quarterly sales of $2.95 billion which missed the analyst consensus estimate of $4.42 billion by 33.28 percent.  This is a 40.42 percent decrease over sales of $4.95 billion the same period last year.</p>


Earnings

Earnings Beats

Earnings Misses

Aflac Q3 Adj $2.19 Beats $1.68 Estimate, Sales $2.95B Miss $4.42B Estimate

<p>Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 5 years by 1.71% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 15.41%. Currently, Aflac has a market capitalization of $61.49 billion. </p>
<p><strong>Buying $100 In AFL:</strong> If an investor had bought $100 of AFL stock 5 years ago, it would be worth <strong>$206.47</strong> today based on a price of $109.79 for AFL at the time of writing.</p>
<h3>Aflac's Performance Over Last 5 Years</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1730134817_0_0.png" alt="comp_fig" /></p>
<p>Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.</p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


$100 Invested In This Stock 5 Years Ago Would Be Worth $200 Today

<p>B of A Securities  analyst Joshua Shanker   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Buy and raises the price target from $115 to $124.</p>


B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $124

<p>Wells Fargo  analyst Elyse Greenspan   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Equal-Weight and raises the price target from $90 to $106.</p>


Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $106

<p>TD Cowen  analyst Andrew Kligerman   initiates coverage on Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Hold rating and announces Price Target of $102.</p>


Initiation

TD Cowen Initiates Coverage On Aflac with Hold Rating, Announces Price Target of $102

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PLMR

SPNT

Shares of insurance companies are trading lower while Floridians experience evacuation orders as Category 5 Hurricane Milton approaches the state. The region is still recovering from damage due to Hurricane Helene.

<p>JP Morgan  analyst Jimmy Bhullar   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Neutral and raises the price target from $85 to $90.</p>


JP Morgan Maintains Neutral on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $90

<p>Piper Sandler  analyst John Barnidge   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Overweight and raises the price target from $114 to $122.</p>


Piper Sandler Maintains Overweight on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $122

<p>Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 3.28% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 14.63%. Currently, Aflac has a market capitalization of $62.61 billion. </p>
<p><strong>Buying $100 In AFL:</strong> If an investor had bought $100 of AFL stock 10 years ago, it would be worth <strong>$386.96</strong> today based on a price of $111.80 for AFL at the time of writing.</p>
<h3>Aflac's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727796667_0.png" alt="comp_fig" /></p>
<p>Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.</p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


Here's How Much $100 Invested In Aflac 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

<p>Across the recent three months, 12 analysts have shared their insights on Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>), expressing a variety of opinions spanning from bullish to bearish.</p>
<p>The table below offers a condensed view of their recent ratings, showcasing the changing sentiments over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bullish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Indifferent</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Somewhat Bearish</strong></th>
<th style="text-align: right;"><strong>Bearish</strong></th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td><strong>Total Ratings</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">7</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>Last 30D</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>1M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>2M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">4</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td><strong>3M Ago</strong></td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<p>In the assessment of 12-month price targets, analysts unveil insights for Aflac, presenting an average target of $97.58, a high estimate of $115.00, and a low estimate of $83.00. Surpassing the previous average price target of $88.82, the current average has increased by 9.86%.</p>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1727355643_0.png" alt="price target chart" /></p>
<h2>Interpreting Analyst Ratings: A Closer Look</h2>
<p>The standing of Aflac among financial experts is revealed through an in-depth exploration of recent analyst actions. The summary below outlines key analysts, their recent evaluations, and adjustments to ratings and price targets.</p>
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th>Analyst</th>
<th>Analyst Firm</th>
<th>Action Taken</th>
<th>Rating</th>
<th>Current Price Target</th>
<th>Prior Price Target</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Thomas Gallagher</td>
<td>Evercore ISI Group</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Underperform</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Alex Scott</td>
<td>Barclays</td>
<td>Announces</td>
<td>Underweight</td>
<td>$96.00</td>
<td>-</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Shanker</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$115.00</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Nigel Dally</td>
<td>Morgan Stanley</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$98.00</td>
<td>$91.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Brian Meredith</td>
<td>UBS</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$109.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Elyse Greenspan</td>
<td>Wells Fargo</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Equal-Weight</td>
<td>$90.00</td>
<td>$81.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Mark Hughes</td>
<td>Truist Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$82.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Shanker</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$108.00</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Michael Ward</td>
<td>Citigroup</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$93.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Joshua Shanker</td>
<td>B of A Securities</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Buy</td>
<td>$105.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Jimmy Bhullar</td>
<td>JP Morgan</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Neutral</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
<td>$80.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li><strong>Action Taken:</strong> Responding to changing market dynamics and company performance, analysts update their recommendations. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise', or 'Lower' their stance, it signifies their response to recent developments related to Aflac. This offers insight into analysts' perspectives on the current state of the company.</li>
<li><strong>Rating:</strong> Providing a comprehensive analysis, analysts offer qualitative assessments, ranging from 'Outperform' to 'Underperform'. These ratings reflect expectations for the relative performance of Aflac compared to the broader market.</li>
<li><strong>Price Targets:</strong> Analysts set price targets as an estimate of a stock's future value. Comparing the current and prior price targets provides insight into how analysts' expectations have changed over time. This information can be valuable for investors seeking to understand consensus views on the stock's potential future performance.</li>
</ul>
<p>Navigating through these analyst evaluations alongside other financial indicators can contribute to a holistic understanding of Aflac's market standing. Stay informed and make data-driven decisions with our Ratings Table.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights"><strong>Stay up to date on Aflac analyst ratings.</strong></a></p>
<h2>Discovering Aflac: A Closer Look</h2>
<p>Aflac Inc offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in United States and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accident, dental and vision, disability, and long-term-care insurance. It markets its products through independent distributors, selling majority of its policies directly to consumers at their places of work and also reaches out to its customers out of their worksite through digital mediums. The company has two reportable business segments; Aflac Japan which generates the majority of the revenue, and Aflac U.S.</p>
<h3>Unraveling the Financial Story of Aflac</h3>
<p><strong>Market Capitalization:</strong> Surpassing industry standards, the company's market capitalization asserts its dominance in terms of size, suggesting a robust market position.</p>
<p><strong>Revenue Growth:</strong> Aflac's revenue growth over a period of 3 months has faced challenges. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a revenue decline of approximately <strong>-0.31%</strong>. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. In comparison to its industry peers, the company trails behind with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.</p>
<p><strong>Net Margin:</strong> Aflac's net margin surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive <strong>34.03%</strong> net margin, the company effectively manages costs and achieves strong profitability.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Equity (ROE):</strong> Aflac's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of <strong>7.08%,</strong> the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.</p>
<p><strong>Return on Assets (ROA):</strong> Aflac's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive <strong>1.43%</strong> ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.</p>
<p><strong>Debt Management:</strong> The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at <strong>0.29</strong>.</p>
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
<p>Experts in banking and financial systems, analysts specialize in reporting for specific stocks or defined sectors. Their comprehensive research involves attending company conference calls and meetings, analyzing financial statements, and engaging with insiders to generate what are known as analyst ratings for stocks. Typically, analysts assess and rate each stock once per quarter.</p>
<p>Analysts may supplement their ratings with predictions for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, offering investors a more comprehensive outlook. However, investors should be mindful that analysts, like any human, can have subjective perspectives influencing their forecasts.</p>
<p><strong>Breaking: Wall Street's Next Big Mover</strong></p>
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<p>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</p>


<p>Evercore ISI Group  analyst Thomas Gallagher   maintains Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Underperform and raises the price target from $84 to $90.</p>


Evercore ISI Group Maintains Underperform on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $90

<p>Shares of <strong>Manulife Financial Corporation </strong>(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mfc#NYSE">MFC</a>) closed at $28.87 on Thursday, near its 52-week high of $28.89. A strong-performing Asia business, expanding Wealth and Asset Management business and a solid capital position are driving the stock price higher.</p>
<p>The company is one of the three dominant life insurers within its domestic Canadian market and possesses rapidly growing operations in the United States and several Asian countries. Earnings grew 4.9% in the last five years, better than the industry average of 4.6%.</p>
<p>Shares have rallied 30.6% year to date, outperforming the industry&#39;s increase of 19%, the Finance sector&#39;s increase of 13.7% and the S&amp;P 500 composite&#39;s rise of 17.7%.</p>
<h2>MFC Outperforms Industry, Sector, S&amp;P 500 YTD</h2>
<p><img alt="Zacks Investment Research" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/articles/charts/d1/78668.jpg?v=2085214265" /></p>
<p>Image Source: Zacks Investment Research</p>
<p>MFC shares are trading well above the 50-day moving average, indicating a bullish trend.</p>
<h2>MFC&#39;s Return on Equity</h2>
<p>Manulife&#39;s return on equity (ROE) for the trailing 12 months is 16.2%, better than the industry average of 15.5%. This reflects Manulife&#39;s efficiency in utilizing shareholders&#39; funds. It expects to generate a ROE of more than 18% by 2027.</p>
<h2>Optimistic Growth Outlook</h2>
<p>The Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2024 and 2025 earnings per share is pegged at $2.72 and $2.86, respectively, suggesting an increase of 5.8% and 5.2% year over year. The long-term earnings growth rate is currently pegged at 10%. Manulife expects core EPS growth of 10-12% over the medium term.&nbsp;</p>
<h2>Factors Favoring MFC</h2>
<p>Manulife&#39;s Asia business continues to be a major contributor to earnings. Asia has been the fastest-growing insurance segment, supported by strong volume growth and attractive margins. This market appears attractive, given its changing demographics. MFC now expects core earnings from Asia to contribute 50% to overall earnings by 2027.</p>
<p>As part of its strategic priorities, Manulife is also investing in high ROE and growth segments in North America.&nbsp; The company&#39;s highest potential businesses, including operations in Asia, Global WAM, Canada group benefits and behavioral insurance products, currently contribute two-thirds to core earnings. The insurer now looks to increase it to 75% and thus is expediting growth in these highest potential businesses.</p>
<p>In tandem with the wave of digitalization going on, MFC is digitalizing and automating workflows through GenAI and advanced analytics.&nbsp; Accelerated digitalization should help it achieve an expense efficiency ratio of less than 45% in the medium term.</p>
<p>Manulife has been strengthening its balance sheet by improving liquidity and leverage. It targets a leverage ratio of 25%. Notably, its free cash flow conversion has remained more than 100% over the last many quarters, reflecting its solid earnings.</p>
<p>The life insurer, banking on consistent cash flow, hiked dividends at a six-year CAGR of 10% and targets a 35-45% dividend payout over the medium term.</p>
<h2>Concerns Regarding MFC</h2>
<p>Despite the upside potential, there are a few factors that investors should keep an eye on.</p>
<p>Manulife targeted an expense efficiency ratio of less than 50% or $1 billion in cost savings and avoidance.&nbsp; It is on track to deliver an efficiency ratio of less than 45% in the future. However, its net margin has been contracting over the last six quarters.</p>
<p>Manulife draws a substantial portion of its earnings from the international market, which makes its profitability vulnerable to foreign exchange losses. In an attempt to lower its forex exposure, the company has started incurring hedging costs.</p>
<p>Though the leverage has been gradually improving, times interest earned has been declining.</p>
<p>The return on invested capital in the trailing 12 months was 0.66%, comparing unfavorably with the industry average of 0.68%, reflecting the insurer&#39;s inefficiency in utilizing funds to generate income.</p>
<h2>MFC Shares Expensive&nbsp;</h2>
<p>MFC shares are trading at a price-to-earnings multiple of 10.23, higher than the industry average of 8.40.</p>
<p>Shares of other insurers like <strong>Sun Life Financial</strong>&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/slf#NYSE">SLF</a>) and <strong>Aflac Incorporated</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/afl#NYSE">AFL</a>) are trading at a multiple higher than the industry average.</p>
<h2>Parting Thoughts</h2>
<p>MFC&#39;s focus on building a high-growth, high-return and high cash generation company, wealth distribution to shareholders and ROE expansion instills confidence in this Zacks Rank #3 (Hold) insurer.</p>
<p>However, given the stock&#39;s premium valuation, it will be wise for new investors to wait for a better entry point.</p>
<p>Investors who already hold MFC stock should retain it, given its growth prospects.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2339314/mfc-stock-near-52-week-high-should-you-buy-or-wait-for-a-pullback?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|rank_focused-2339314">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a></p>


Asia

Large Cap

Dividends

MFC Stock Near 52-Week High: Should You Buy or Wait for a Pullback?

<p>Launched on 01/07/2014, the <strong>First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF</strong> (NASDAQ: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/rdvy#NASDAQ">RDVY</a>) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market.</p>
<p>The fund is sponsored by First Trust Advisors. It has amassed assets over $11.71 billion, making it one of the larger ETFs attempting to match the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market.</p>
<h2>Why Large Cap Value</h2>
<p>Companies that fall in the large cap category tend to have a market capitalization above $10 billion. They tend to be stable companies with predictable cash flows and are usually less volatile than mid and small cap companies.</p>
<p>Carrying lower than average price-to-earnings and price-to-book ratios, value stocks also have lower than average sales and earnings growth rates. Looking at their long-term performance, value stocks have outperformed growth stocks in almost all markets. They are however likely to underperform growth stocks in strong bull markets.</p>
<h2>Costs</h2>
<p>Expense ratios are an important factor in the return of an ETF and in the long term, cheaper funds can significantly outperform their more expensive counterparts, other things remaining the same.</p>
<p>Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.49%, putting it on par with most peer products in the space.</p>
<p>It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.83%.</p>
<h2>Sector Exposure and Top Holdings</h2>
<p>Even though ETFs offer diversified exposure which minimizes single stock risk, it is still important to look into a fund&#39;s holdings before investing. Luckily, most ETFs are very transparent products that disclose their holdings on a daily basis.</p>
<p>This ETF has heaviest allocation to the Financials sector--about 42% of the portfolio. Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary round out the top three.</p>
<p>Looking at individual holdings, <strong>D.r. Horton, Inc.</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dhi#NYSE">DHI</a>) accounts for about 2.41% of total assets, followed by <strong>Mueller Industries, Inc.</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mli#NYSE">MLI</a>) and <strong>Aflac Incorporated</strong> (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/afl#NYSE">AFL</a>).</p>
<p>The top 10 holdings account for about 22.38% of total assets under management.</p>
<h2>Performance and Risk</h2>
<p>RDVY seeks to match the performance of the NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers Index before fees and expenses. The NASDAQ US Rising Dividend Achievers Index is designed to provide access to a diversified portfolio of companies with a history of paying dividends.</p>
<p>The ETF has added roughly 12.45% so far this year and was up about 23.75% in the last one year (as of 09/17/2024). In the past 52-week period, it has traded between $43.44 and $58.75.</p>
<p>The ETF has a beta of 1.11 and standard deviation of 19.70% for the trailing three-year period, making it a medium risk choice in the space. With about 51 holdings, it effectively diversifies company-specific risk.</p>
<h2>Alternatives</h2>
<p>First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF holds a Zacks ETF Rank of 2 (Buy), which is based on expected asset class return, expense ratio, and momentum, among other factors. Because of this, RDVY is a great option for investors seeking exposure to the Style Box - Large Cap Value segment of the market. There are other additional ETFs in the space that investors could consider as well.</p>
<p>The <strong>Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF</strong> (ARCA:SCHD) and the <strong>Vanguard Value ETF</strong> (ARCA:VTV) track a similar index. While Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF has $60.60 billion in assets, Vanguard Value ETF has $126.51 billion. SCHD has an expense ratio of 0.06% and VTV charges 0.04%.</p>
<h2>Bottom-Line</h2>
<p>Passively managed ETFs are becoming increasingly popular with institutional as well as retail investors due to their low cost, transparency, flexibility and tax efficiency. They are excellent vehicles for long term investors.</p>
<p><a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2336911/should-first-trust-rising-dividend-achievers-etf-rdvy-be-on-your-investing-radar?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-style_box_etf-2336911">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a></p>


Equities

Mid Cap

Sector ETFs

ETFs

RDVY

SCHD

Should First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF Be on Your Investing Radar?

<p>Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) has outperformed the market over the past 10 years by 3.17% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 13.95%. Currently, Aflac has a market capitalization of $60.23 billion. </p>
<p><strong>Buying $1000 In AFL:</strong> If an investor had bought $1000 of AFL stock 10 years ago, it would be worth <strong>$3,653.38</strong> today based on a price of $107.54 for AFL at the time of writing.</p>
<h3>Aflac's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<p><img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1726167759_0.png" alt="comp_fig" /></p>
<p>Finally -- what's the point of all this? The key insight to take from this article is to note how much of a difference compounded returns can make in your cash growth over a period of time.</p>
<p><em>This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.</em></p>


$1000 Invested In Aflac 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth This Much Today

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Press Releases

Aflac Makes New Resources Available to Support Children with Cancer and Blood Disorders

Studies by Aflac and Prudential Financial address the impact of paid leave in the workplace

Aflac Incorporated to Release Third Quarter Results and CFO Video Update on October 30, 2024 and Host Webcast on October 31, 2024

Transmit Security Powers Aflac's 2024 CSO Award Win for "Quackcess Granted" Passkey Authentication Initiative

Aflac Incorporated Promotes Virgil R. Miller to President of Aflac Incorporated, Audrey Boone Tillman and Max K. Brodén Elevated to Senior Executive Vice President

Aflac Incorporated Announces Third Quarter Results, Reports Third Quarter Net Losses of $93 Million, Declares Fourth Quarter Cash Dividend

Aflac hires JR Shamley as senior vice president, National Account Business Development and Growth Solutions

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