Core Viewpoint - Investing in Dividend Aristocrats provides solid dividend growth from established businesses that have successfully navigated multiple business cycles [1] Group 1 - Dividend Aristocrats are companies known for their consistent and reliable dividend payments [1] - These companies have a proven track record of enduring various economic conditions, making them a stable investment choice [1] - The strategy of investing in Dividend Aristocrats can help anchor an investment portfolio [1]

Core Viewpoint - Aflac Incorporated (AFL) is positioned for growth due to strong U.S. business performance, product launches, acquisitions, partnerships, improved underwriting discipline, and effective cost management [2] Financial Performance - Aflac's shares have increased by 4.7% over the past six months, outperforming the industry's 2.8% rise [2] - The market capitalization of Aflac is $58.1 billion [2] - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for AFL's 2025 earnings is $7.53 per share, reflecting a 4.4% year-over-year increase [4] - Revenue estimates for 2025 are projected at $17.8 billion [4] - Aflac has beaten earnings estimates in two of the last four quarters, with an average surprise of 9.4% [4] Growth Drivers - Aflac's revenue growth is supported by strong sales in both U.S. and Japan segments, driven by strategic investments and high persistency rates [5] - New annualized premium sales in Aflac Japan grew by 16.1% year-over-year in the first nine months of 2025, primarily due to sales of the Miraito cancer insurance product and Tsumitasu [5] - Aflac U.S. saw a 3% year-over-year increase in new annualized premium sales in the first nine months of 2025, with group products contributing significantly [6] - The company is enhancing its core insurance growth through strategic acquisitions and partnerships, expanding its capabilities and reach [7] Financial Position - Aflac concluded the third quarter of 2025 with $6.8 billion in cash and cash equivalents, an increase from $6.2 billion at the end of 2024 [8] - The company maintains a strong times-interest-earned ratio of 25.39X, compared to the industry average of 20.02X [8] - Aflac has prioritized shareholder rewards, repurchasing 25.7 million shares worth $2.7 billion in the first nine months of 2025 [8]

Core Insights - Aflac reported a data breach affecting the personal data of 22.65 million individuals, including customers, beneficiaries, and employees [1] - The compromised data may include contact information, claims, health information, and Social Security numbers [1] Response to Breach - Aflac addressed the breach within hours and began notifying affected customers promptly [2] - The company is offering 24 months of free CyEx cybersecurity services, which include credit monitoring, medical information protection, and identity theft monitoring [2] Company Position - Aflac downplayed the impact of the breach, stating that it is not aware of any fraudulent use of personal information to date [3] - The company, along with third-party partners, will continue to monitor for any fraudulent activity [3]

Core Insights - Aflac reported that a cybersecurity incident impacted personal information associated with 22.65 million individuals within its U.S. business [1][6] Group 1: Incident Details - The company identified suspicious activity on its U.S. network in June, initiated cyber incident response protocols, and stopped the intrusion within hours [4] - Aflac's systems were not affected by ransomware, and its business operations remained intact during the incident [4] - The review of potentially impacted files revealed that the information included names, contact information, claims information, health information, Social Security numbers, and other personal data [7] Group 2: Response Measures - Following the detection of the security incident, Aflac secured potentially impacted accounts, reset passwords, and monitored for suspicious activity [3] - The company provided customers with credit monitoring, identity theft protection, and medical fraud protection early in its response to the incident [8] - Aflac began notifying individuals affected by the incident as part of its response strategy [3][6] Group 3: Industry Context - Aflac indicated that the attack was part of a broader cybercrime campaign targeting the insurance industry, attributed to a sophisticated cybercrime group [5] - According to the FBI's Internet Crime Complaint Center (IC3), personal data breaches were among the top three types of cybercrime reported by victims in 2024 [8] - Data breaches were also identified as one of the top two most reported cyber threats among critical infrastructure organizations, as per IC3's "Internet Crime Report 2024" [9]

US insurance giant Aflac says hackers stole personal and health data of 22.6 million https://t.co/llCigqvbl7 ...

In June, U.S. insurance giant Aflac disclosed a data breach where hackers stole customers’ personal information, including Social Security numbers and health information, without saying how many victims were affected. On Tuesday, the company confirmed it has begun notifying around 22.65 million people whose data was stolen during the cyberattack. In a filing with the Texas attorney general, Aflac said that the stolen data includes customer names, dates of birth, home addresses, government-issued ID numbers ...

In June, U.S. insurance giant Aflac disclosed a data breach where hackers stole customers’ personal information, including Social Security numbers and health information, without saying how many victims were affected. On Tuesday, the company confirmed it has begun notifying around 22.65 million whose data was stolen during the cyberattack. In a filing with the Texas attorney general, Aflac said that the stolen data includes customer names, dates of birth, home addresses; government-issued ID numbers (such ...

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 ...