Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is one of the most profitable value stocks to invest in right now. On December 16, Mizuho initiated coverage of Aflac with an Underperform rating and $104 price target. Mizuho maintains a cautious outlook on Aflac’s sales performance in its key Japanese and US markets. The firm believes that stagnant sales growth will effectively cap long-term earnings potential. Earlier on December 3, Ameriflex and Aflac announced a partnership to enhance the delivery of consumer-directed h ...

Key Takeaways AFL rolls out cancer insurance on Ethos' digital platform, expanding access to supplemental health products.Aflac policies pay cash benefits for medical and non-medical costs and include preventive screening benefits.Aflac gains a new digital channel to reach customers seeking fast, low-friction insurance purchases.Aflac Incorporated (AFL) recently took a strategic step toward modernizing insurance distribution by partnering with Ethos to provide its supplemental health products through a full ...

AUSTIN, Texas, Dec. 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Ethos, a leading life insurance technology company democratizing access to life insurance, today announced a partnership with Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL), a leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S., to expand access to Aflac’s supplemental insurance policies through Ethos’s digital distribution platform. The collaboration launches with Aflac’s cancer insurance, now available alongside Ethos’s life insurance offerings, expanding the ran ...

Industry Overview - The Zacks Accident and Health Insurance industry is projected to benefit from increased underwriting exposure, driven by prudent underwriting standards among key players like Aflac, Unum Group, Globe Life, and Trupanion [1] - The industry is expected to grow from approximately $300 billion in 2024 to about $420 billion by 2033, reflecting a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 3.8% [3] Current Trends - Pricing pressure is anticipated to continue due to inflation, rising medical costs, and demographic changes, with healthcare spending expected to increase by 5.4% annually through 2028 [4] - Claims frequency is improving due to better safety measures and working conditions, which is expected to enhance the industry's performance [5] - The adoption of technology, including AI and data analytics, is accelerating, potentially reducing workers' compensation claim expenses by about 45% [6] Financial Performance - The Accident and Health Insurance industry has underperformed compared to the Finance sector and the S&P 500, with a year-to-date gain of 5.1% versus 14.2% and 18.2% respectively [9] - The industry is currently trading at a trailing 12-month price-to-book (P/B) ratio of 1.72X, significantly lower than the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 8.47X and the sector's 4.18X [11] Company Highlights - **Aflac**: Focuses on voluntary supplemental health and life insurance, with a projected long-term earnings growth rate of 4.6% and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 9.38% [15][16] - **Unum Group**: Expected premium growth of 3-6% for 2025, with a long-term earnings growth rate of 6%, outperforming the industry average [19][21] - **Globe Life**: Positive revenue trends driven by premium growth in life and health insurance segments, with a projected 3.1% year-over-year increase in earnings for 2026 [23][25] - **Trupanion**: Positioned for growth in the pet insurance market, with a consensus estimate suggesting a 9.4% increase in earnings for 2026 and a trailing four-quarter earnings surprise of 235.42% [27][28]

Core Insights - Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is recognized as one of the 15 Best Boring Dividend Stocks to Buy, highlighting its stable investment appeal [1] - Morgan Stanley has raised its price target for Aflac from $113 to $118 while maintaining an Equal Weight rating, indicating a cautious but positive outlook on the stock [2] - Aflac announced a 5% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.61 per share, marking the 43rd consecutive year of dividend increases, showcasing its strong underwriting discipline and financial health [3][4] Financial Performance - The company has reduced its share count by approximately 38% over the past decade through substantial capital allocation to buybacks [3] - Aflac's dividend payout ratio is under 33% of projected 2025 earnings, suggesting room for continued dividend growth [4] - Analysts project Aflac's earnings to grow at about 5% annually in the coming years, supporting its dividend strategy [4] Management Commentary - Aflac's CEO, Daniel P. Amos, emphasized the importance of maintaining strong capital ratios while balancing financial strength with tactical capital deployment [4]

Core Points - Aflac has launched a children's book titled "Beyond Words," which aims to support children battling cancer and blood disorders by donating 100% of net proceeds to the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation [1][3][4] - The book, written by bestselling author Sheri Fink and featuring a foreword by astronaut Kellie Gerardi, tells the story of Buddy the bear cub who learns the importance of actions over words in comforting a friend [2][4] - Aflac has a long-standing commitment to supporting families affected by childhood cancer, having contributed nearly $200 million to research and care over the past 30 years [4] Product Details - "Beyond Words" is available in hardcover for $21.99 and softcover for $12.99, making it an affordable gift option [5] - Each book includes a QR code for free downloadable coloring sheets and an audiobook narrated by Gerardi, enhancing the reading experience [5][6] Social Impact - The initiative is part of Aflac's broader efforts to provide comfort and support to children with serious health conditions, including the distribution of the My Special Aflac Duck® to over 41,000 children since 2018 [4]

Group 1 - Aflac Inc reported a strong performance with a 10% increase in net premiums written, reaching $5.5 billion [1] - Principal Financial Group Inc experienced a 15% growth in assets under management, totaling $1.8 trillion [1] - The Hanover Insurance Group Inc showed a 12% rise in net income, amounting to $300 million [1] Group 2 - The insurance sector is witnessing increased demand for innovative products and services, driven by changing consumer preferences [1] - Regulatory changes are impacting the operational landscape for these companies, necessitating strategic adjustments [1] - Market competition is intensifying, with companies focusing on digital transformation to enhance customer engagement [1]

Core Insights - Aflac has launched a new children's book titled "Beyond Words," aimed at helping children express empathy for those facing health challenges, with all net proceeds benefiting the Aflac Childhood Cancer Foundation [1][5] Company Initiatives - The book features a character named Buddy, a bear cub who learns the importance of actions over words while comforting a friend in the hospital [2] - "Beyond Words" builds on Aflac's existing initiatives, such as the My Special Aflac Duck program, which has provided comfort to over 40,000 children with cancer and sickle cell disease since 2018 [3] - Aflac has committed nearly $200 million to support the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta over the past 30 years [3][6] Author and Collaboration - The book is authored by Sheri Fink, a bestselling children's author, who aims to inspire kindness and compassion through her storytelling [4] - Research astronaut Kellie Gerardi contributed to the project by writing the foreword and voicing the audio version of the book [4] Community Involvement - The story was influenced by children from Mathews Elementary School and patients at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center, who participated in focus groups to shape the narrative [4] Sales and Impact - The hardcover version of "Beyond Words" is priced at $21.99, and the softcover at $12.99, with 100% of net proceeds directed towards childhood cancer and blood disorders research and treatment [5]

Core Insights - Aflac Incorporated (AFL) raised its quarterly dividend to 61 cents per share, marking a 5.2% increase from 58 cents, and achieving an annualized dividend growth rate of 14.8% over the past five years [1][9] - The company has now achieved 43 consecutive years of dividend increases, demonstrating its commitment to shareholder value [2][9] - Aflac expanded its share repurchase program by 100 million shares and repurchased 9.3 million shares worth $1 billion in Q3 2025 [2][9] Financial Performance - The Zacks Consensus Estimate projects a slight decline in 2025 earnings to $7.18 per share, but earnings for 2026 are expected to rebound by 2.5% to $7.36 per share [3] - Aflac ended Q3 2025 with $6.8 billion in cash and equivalents, and a long-term debt-to-capital ratio of 23.24%, which is slightly better than the industry average [5] - Free cash flow decreased by 5% over the trailing 12-month period, but U.S. segment sales rose by 3% to $1 billion [5] Market Position - Aflac's stock has gained 10% year-to-date, outperforming the industry growth of 8.4% [8] - The company trades at a forward price-to-earnings ratio of 15.57, above the industry average of 12.66 [10] - Aflac's current dividend yield stands at 2.14%, higher than the industry average of 1.93% [1]

Core Points - Aflac Incorporated has declared a first quarter dividend of $0.61 per share, marking a 5.2% increase from the previous quarter's dividend [1][2] - The company has a strong track record of 43 consecutive years of dividend increases, supported by robust capital and cash flows [2][3] - Aflac is recognized as the leading provider of supplemental health insurance in the U.S. and cancer and medical insurance in Japan [3] Company Overview - Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company that has provided financial protection for over seven decades [3] - The company has been included in the World's Most Ethical Companies list for 19 consecutive years and Fortune's World's Most Admired Companies for 24 years [3] - Aflac became a signatory of the Principles for Responsible Investment in 2021 and has been part of the Dow Jones Sustainability North America Index for 11 years [3]