Aflac (NYSE:AFL) Stock, Quote.Headers.trade-ideas

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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ETFs

RDVY

SCHD

Launched on 01/07/2014, the First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (NASDAQ: RDVY) is a passively managed exchange traded fund designed to provide a broad exposure to the Large Cap Value segment of the US equity market.

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

Buybacks

How much a stock&#39;s price changes over time is a significant driver for most investors. Not only can price performance impact your portfolio, but it can help you compare investment results across sectors and industries as well.

Another factor that can influence investors is FOMO, or the fear of missing out, especially with tech giants and popular consumer-facing stocks.

Here&#39;s How Much a $1000 Investment in Aflac Made 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

Earnings Beats

Small Cap

Management

Shares of Employers Holdings, Inc. (NYSE: EIG) have declined 5.8% since it reported second-quarter 2024 results on Jul 31, after the closing bell. The better-than-expected earnings were aided by growth in premiums written, policies in force and higher yields on fixed maturity securities.

Employers Holdings Drops 5.8% Despite Q2 Earnings Beat

Aflac Inc

First Trust Active Factor Large Cap ETF

Air France-KLM

AFLAC ORD

Launched on 01/07/2014, the First Trust Rising Dividend Achievers ETF (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.
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.
<h2>Why Large Cap Value</h2>
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.
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.
<h2>Costs</h2>
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.
Annual operating expenses for this ETF are 0.49%, putting it on par with most peer products in the space.
It has a 12-month trailing dividend yield of 1.83%.
<h2>Sector Exposure and Top Holdings</h2>
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.
This ETF has heaviest allocation to the Financials sector--about 42% of the portfolio. Information Technology and Consumer Discretionary round out the top three.
Looking at individual holdings, D.r. Horton, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/dhi#NYSE">DHI</a>) accounts for about 2.41% of total assets, followed by Mueller Industries, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mli#NYSE">MLI</a>) and Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/afl#NYSE">AFL</a>).
The top 10 holdings account for about 22.38% of total assets under management.
<h2>Performance and Risk</h2>
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.
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.
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.
<h2>Alternatives</h2>
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.
The Schwab U.S. Dividend Equity ETF (ARCA:SCHD) and the Vanguard Value ETF (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%.
<h2>Bottom-Line</h2>
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.
<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>

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. 
Buying $1000 In AFL: If an investor had bought $1000 of AFL stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $3,653.38 today based on a price of $107.54 for AFL at the time of writing.
<h3>Aflac's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1726167759_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
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.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

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

Offerings

AFLAC Files For Debt Shelf; Size Not Disclosed

Barclays analyst Alex Scott initiates coverage on Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) with a Underweight rating and announces Price Target of $96.

Price Target

Initiation

Barclays Initiates Coverage On Aflac with Underweight Rating, Announces Price Target of $96

Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 12 analysts have published ratings on Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) in the last three months.
Summarizing their recent assessments, the table below illustrates the evolving sentiments in the past 30 days and compares them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">3</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">8</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</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;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>1M Ago</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>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</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>
<tr>
<td>3M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts provide deeper insights through their assessments of 12-month price targets, revealing an average target of $97.33, a high estimate of $115.00, and a low estimate of $83.00. This upward trend is evident, with the current average reflecting a 8.96% increase from the previous average price target of $89.33.
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725454878_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Exploring Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Overview</h2>
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.
<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>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>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Aflac. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: 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>Price Targets: Analysts gauge the dynamics of price targets, providing estimates for the future value of Aflac's stock. This comparison reveals trends in analysts' expectations over time.</li>
</ul>
For valuable insights into Aflac's market performance, consider these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators. Stay well-informed and make prudent decisions using our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Aflac analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Delving into Aflac's Background</h2>
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.
<h3>Breaking Down Aflac's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization Highlights: Above the industry average, the company's market capitalization signifies a significant scale, indicating strong confidence and market prominence.
Negative Revenue Trend: Examining Aflac's financials over 3 months reveals challenges. As of 30 June, 2024, the company experienced a decline of approximately -0.31% in revenue growth, reflecting a decrease in 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.
Net Margin: Aflac's net margin excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 34.03%. This signifies efficient cost management and strong financial health.
Return on Equity (ROE): Aflac's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 7.08%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): Aflac's ROA surpasses industry standards, highlighting the company's exceptional financial performance. With an impressive 1.43% ROA, the company effectively utilizes its assets for optimal returns.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.29.
<h2>Analyst Ratings: What Are They?</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
Analysts may enhance their evaluations by incorporating forecasts for metrics like growth estimates, earnings, and revenue, delivering additional guidance to investors. It is vital to acknowledge that, although experts in stocks and sectors, analysts are human and express their opinions when providing insights.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Expert Outlook: Aflac Through The Eyes Of 12 Analysts

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 $108 to $115.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $115

Aflac's (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) short percent of float has fallen 12.41% since its last report. The company recently reported that it has 14.13 million shares sold short, which is 2.54% of all regular shares that are available for trading. Based on its trading volume, it would take traders 5.38 days to cover their short positions on average.
<h3>Why Short Interest Matters</h3>
Short interest is the number of shares that have been sold short but have not yet been covered or closed out. <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-short-a-stock/">Short selling</a> is when a trader sells shares of a company they do not own, with the hope that the price will fall. Traders make money from short selling if the price of the stock falls and they lose if it rises.
Short interest is important to track because it can act as an indicator of market sentiment towards a particular stock. An increase in short interest can signal that investors have become more bearish, while a decrease in short interest can signal they have become more bullish.
See Also: <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/short-interest">List of the most shorted stocks</a>
<h3>Aflac Short Interest Graph (3 Months)</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1725024613_0.png" alt="short_fig" />
As you can see from the chart above the percentage of shares that are sold short for Aflac has declined since its last report. This does not mean that the stock is going to rise in the near-term but traders should be aware that less shares are being shorted.
<h3>Comparing Aflac's Short Interest Against Its Peers</h3>
Peer comparison is a popular technique amongst analysts and investors for gauging how well a company is performing. A company's peer is another company that has similar characteristics to it, such as industry, size, age, and financial structure. You can find a company's peer group by reading its 10-K, proxy filing, or by doing your own similarity analysis.
According to <a href="https://pro.benzinga.com/">Benzinga Pro</a>, Aflac's peer group average for short interest as a percentage of float is 2.54%, which means the company has more short interest than most of its peers.
Did you know that increasing short interest can actually be bullish for a stock? <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/money/how-to-make-money-on-a-short-squeeze/">This post by Benzinga Money explains how you can profit from it.</a>
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and was reviewed by an editor.

Short Sellers

Short Ideas

Looking Into Aflac's Recent Short Interest

How much a stock&#39;s price changes over time is a significant driver for most investors. Not only can price performance impact your portfolio, but it can help you compare investment results across sectors and industries as well.
Another factor that can influence investors is FOMO, or the fear of missing out, especially with tech giants and popular consumer-facing stocks.
What if you&#39;d invested in Aflac (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/afl#NYSE">AFL</a>) ten years ago? It may not have been easy to hold on to AFL for all that time, but if you did, how much would your investment be worth today?
<h2>Aflac&#39;s Business In-Depth</h2>
With that in mind, let&#39;s take a look at Aflac&#39;s main business drivers.
Aflac Incorporated was formed in 1973 under the laws of the state of Georgia. The company is a general business holding company and oversees the operations of its subsidiaries by providing management services and making capital available.
Its principal business is voluntary supplemental and life insurance, which is marketed and administered through American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac) in the United States (Aflac U.S.) and, effective Apr 1, 2018, through Aflac Life Insurance Japan Ltd. in Japan (Aflac Japan). Aflac primarily operates in these two countries. The majority of the company&#39;s policies are individually underwritten and marketed through independent agents.
Aflac Japan (60.1% of the adjusted revenues in 2023) offers supplemental insurance products including cancer plans, general medical indemnity plans, medical/sickness riders, care plans, living benefit life plans, ordinary life insurance plans and annuities.
At 2023-end, 80% of the company&#39;s total assets were attributable to Aflac Japan. The firm founded Aflac Re Bermuda Ltd. in 2022 to reinsure some products issued by Aflac Life Insurance Japan.
Aflac U.S. (37.3%) markets and administers group products through Continental American Insurance Company (CAIC). The segment offers products including accident, critical illness, cancer, short-term disability,&nbsp;long-term care and disability, as well as term and whole life insurance in the domestic market. This unit also provides dental, vision, hospital indemnity and other products.
The remaining portion in adjusted revenues is contributed by the Corporate and Other (2.6%).
<h2>Bottom Line</h2>
Anyone can invest, but building a successful investment portfolio takes a combination of a few things: research, patience, and a little bit of risk. So, if you had invested in Aflac a decade ago, you&#39;re probably feeling pretty good about your investment today.
A $1000 investment made in August 2014 would be worth $3,554.21, or a gain of 255.42%, as of August 29, 2024, according to our calculations. This return excludes dividends but includes price appreciation.
Compare this to the S&amp;P 500&#39;s rally of 180.07% and gold&#39;s return of 86.90% over the same time frame.
Analysts are forecasting more upside for AFL too.
Multiple product launches and the build-out of a virtual sales channel will keep driving Aflac&#39;s U.S. unit sales in the future. Expense-saving initiatives will aid the bottom line in the future. The expense ratio is expected to witness a massive improvement in the coming days. Aflac&#39;s results will be supported by lower benefits and claims. It has a world-class investment platform. It beat Q2 earnings estimates on strong investment income. AFL has a strong balance sheet with a favorable solvency position. It returns wealth to investors via share buybacks and dividend payments. Its shares have outperformed the industry in the past year.&nbsp;However, softness still persists in the Japan segment, evident from its declining premiums. The dipping free cash flows reflect weakness in its operations. Also, the stock has a stretched valuation.
The stock is up 14.10% over the past four weeks, and no earnings estimate has gone lower in the past two months, compared to 7 higher, for fiscal 2024. The consensus estimate has moved up as well.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2328734/here-s-how-much-a-1000-investment-in-aflac-made-10-years-ago-would-be-worth-today?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-tale_of_the_tape|investing_$1000-2328734">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

Here's How Much a $1000 Investment in Aflac Made 10 Years Ago Would Be Worth Today

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 2.38% on an annualized basis producing an average annual return of 13.2%. Currently, Aflac has a market capitalization of $58.69 billion. 
Buying $1000 In AFL: If an investor had bought $1000 of AFL stock 10 years ago, it would be worth $3,467.46 today based on a price of $104.80 for AFL at the time of writing.
<h3>Aflac's Performance Over Last 10 Years</h3>
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1724268617_0.png" alt="comp_fig" />
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.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

If You Invested $1000 In This Stock 10 Years Ago, You Would Have $3,500 Today

Morgan Stanley analyst Nigel Dally 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 $91 to $98.

Morgan Stanley Maintains Equal-Weight on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $98

Shares of&nbsp;Employers Holdings, Inc.&nbsp;(NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/eig#NYSE">EIG</a>) have declined 5.8% since it reported second-quarter 2024 results on Jul 31, after the closing bell. The better-than-expected earnings were aided by growth in premiums written, policies in force and higher yields on fixed maturity securities. However, the positives were partially offset by increased overall expenses.
EIG reported second-quarter adjusted earnings per share of $1.10, which surpassed the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 1.9%. However, the bottom line fell 6% year over year.
Total revenues grew 0.8% year over year to $217 million. But the top line missed the consensus mark by 3%.
<div class="chart_embed">
<h3>Employers Holdings Inc Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise</h3>
<img alt="Employers Holdings Inc Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise" src="https://staticx-tuner.zacks.com/images/charts/a7/1723643799.png" style="border-style:solid; border-width:1px; height:310px; width:600px" title="" />
Employers Holdings Inc price-consensus-eps-surprise-chart | Employers Holdings Inc Quote
</div>
<h3>Q2 Key Updates</h3>
Gross premiums written of $207.9 million advanced 5% year over year in the quarter under review on the back of new business growth and higher renewal rates, partly offset by decreased final audit premiums. Net premiums written of $206.1 million increased 5% year over year.
Net premiums earned by Employers Holdings amounted to $187.8 million, which improved 6% year over year but lagged the Zacks Consensus Estimate by 4.6%.
Net investment income climbed 0.4% year over year to $26.9 million in the second quarter due to increased yields on fixed-maturity securities. However, the decline in invested balances of fixed-maturity securities partially offset the growth. As such, the metric missed the consensus mark by only 0.1%.
Total expenses of $177 million inched up 3.3% year over year. Losses and loss adjustment expenses recorded a 20% year-over-year rise due to growth in earned premiums and increased current accident year loss and loss adjustment expense ratio. Commission expenses grew 14% year over year.
EIG reported a pre-tax income of $40 million in the quarter under review, which fell 8.7% year over year.
Policies in force were at a record level of 128,522, which increased 3% year over year.
The combined ratio increased 380 basis points (bps) year over year to 94.2% but came lower than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 95.5%. Underwriting and general and administrative expense ratio improved 400 bps year over year to 22%.
<h3>Financial Update (as of Jun 30, 2024)</h3>
Employers Holdings exited the second quarter with investments, cash and cash equivalents of $2.47 billion, which fell from the 2023-end level of $2.5 billion.
Total assets of $3.6 billion remained flat from 2023 end.
Total stockholders&#39; equity improved from the 2023-end level of $1.01 billion to $1.02 billion.
Adjusted book value per share was $48.89, which rose from $45.41 a year ago.
<h3>Capital Deployment Update</h3>
Employers Holdings bought back shares worth $19.2 million in the second quarter. It had a leftover capacity of $44.4 million under its repurchase authorization as of Jul 31, 2024.
Management announced a quarterly&nbsp;dividend of 30 cents for the third quarter, which will be paid on Aug 28, 2024, to shareholders as of Aug 14.
<h3>Zacks Rank &amp; Key Picks</h3>
EIG currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold).
Investors interested in the broader&nbsp;Finance space may look at some better-ranked players like Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/afl#NYSE">AFL</a>), Brown &amp; Brown, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/bro#NYSE">BRO</a>) and&nbsp;Marsh &amp; McLennan Companies, Inc. (NYSE: <a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/mmc#NYSE">MMC</a>), each carrying a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) at present.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Aflac&#39;s current-year earnings is pegged at $6.73 per share, which indicates 8% year-over-year growth. It witnessed seven upward estimate revisions in the past 30 days against no downward movements. AFL beat earnings estimates in three of the past four quarters and missed once, with an average surprise of 8.2%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Brown &amp; Brown&#39;s 2024 earnings indicates 30.6% year-over-year growth. During the past month, BRO has witnessed five upward estimate revisions against none in the opposite direction. It beat earnings estimates in each of the past four quarters, with an average surprise of 9.8%.
The Zacks Consensus Estimate for Marsh &amp; McLennan&#39;s current-year earnings suggests a 9.4% year-over-year jump. During the past month, MMC has witnessed seven upward estimate revisions against none in the opposite direction. The consensus mark for current-year revenues indicates 6.7% growth from a year ago.
<a href="https://www.zacks.com/stock/news/2322186/employers-holdings-eig-drops-5-8-despite-q2-earnings-beat?cid=CS-BENZ-FT-analyst_blog|earnings_article-2322186">To read this article on Zacks.com click here.</a>

UBS analyst Brian Meredith 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 $84 to $109.

UBS Maintains Neutral on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $109

On CNBC's &#8220;Mad Money Lightning Round,&#8221; Jim Cramer recommended buying Applied Materials, Inc. (NASDAQ:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AMAT#NASDAQ">AMAT</a>). &#8220;I think that the company is doing well. I think that the government is not crazy about their posture, because they <a href="https://www.benzinga.com/news/24/08/40317579/whats-going-on-with-applied-materials-stock">do so much business in China,&#8221; he added.</a>
When asked about Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>), he said, &#8220;It's not my fave, not my fave. I do like Chubb Ltd (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/CB#NYSE">CB</a>) in the insurance business. But that's really about it.&#8221;
&#8220;We're going to steer clear of Albemarle (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ALB#NYSE">ALB</a>),&#8221; Cramer said.
When asked about Elevance Health, Inc. (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ELV#NYSE">ELV</a>), he said, &#8220;UnitedHealth Group Inc (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/UNH#NYSE">UNH</a>) is still the cream of the crop.&#8221;
Snap (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/SNAP#NYSE">SNAP</a>) is &#8220;really not, it's not investable,&#8221; he said. &#8220;They seem like an irrelevant company.&#8221;
The "Mad Money" host said Main Street Capital Corporation (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/MAIN#NYSE">MAIN</a>) is a &#8220;business development company. I have never trusted business development companies,&#8221;
Cramer said Alibaba Group Holding Limited (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/ABBA#NYSE">ABBA</a>) is an "incredibly cheap stock, alright. They're going to report a great number, and then there's always going to be something that people don't like, and then they sell it down."
Price Action:
<ul>
<li>Aflac shares fell 0.1% to settle at $101.19 on Monday.</li>
<li>Elevance Health shares fell 1.2% to close at $525.85.</li>
<li>Albemarle shares fell 6.9% to close at $76.00.</li>
<li>Snap shares fell 0.3% to close at $9.02.</li>
<li>Applied Materials shares gained 1% to settle at $193.09 on Monday.</li>
<li>Main Street Capital shares fell 0.5% to close at $48.35 on Monday.</li>
<li>Alibaba shares gained 1.2% to close at $80.91.</li>
</ul>
Read Next: 
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</ul>
Photo: Shutterstock

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Providing a diverse range of perspectives from bullish to bearish, 9 analysts have published ratings on Aflac (NYSE:<a class="ticker" href="https://www.benzinga.com/stock/AFL#NYSE">AFL</a>) in the last three months.
The table below provides a snapshot of their recent ratings, showcasing how sentiments have evolved over the past 30 days and comparing them to the preceding months.
<table>
<thead>
<tr>
<th></th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bullish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Indifferent</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Somewhat Bearish</th>
<th style="text-align: right;">Bearish</th>
</tr>
</thead>
<tbody>
<tr>
<td>Total Ratings</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">6</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>Last 30D</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>1M Ago</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">1</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">2</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>2M Ago</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>3M Ago</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;">0</td>
<td style="text-align: right;">0</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
Analysts have recently evaluated Aflac and provided 12-month price targets. The average target is $94.0, accompanied by a high estimate of $108.00 and a low estimate of $83.00. Observing a 7.22% increase, the current average has risen from the previous average price target of $87.67. 
<img src="https://www.benzinga.com/files/images/story/2024/1723482041_0.png" alt="price target chart" />
<h2>Deciphering Analyst Ratings: An In-Depth Analysis</h2>
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.
<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>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>
<tr>
<td>Suneet Kamath</td>
<td>Jefferies</td>
<td>Lowers</td>
<td>Hold</td>
<td>$83.00</td>
<td>$84.00</td>
</tr>
<tr>
<td>John Barnidge</td>
<td>Piper Sandler</td>
<td>Raises</td>
<td>Overweight</td>
<td>$100.00</td>
<td>$95.00</td>
</tr>
</tbody>
</table>
<h3>Key Insights:</h3>
<ul>
<li>Action Taken: Analysts frequently update their recommendations based on evolving market conditions and company performance. Whether they 'Maintain', 'Raise' or 'Lower' their stance, it reflects their reaction to recent developments related to Aflac. This information provides a snapshot of how analysts perceive the current state of the company.</li>
<li>Rating: 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>Price Targets: 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>
Assessing these analyst evaluations alongside crucial financial indicators can provide a comprehensive overview of Aflac's market position. Stay informed and make well-judged decisions with the assistance of our Ratings Table.
<a href="https://www.benzinga.com/quote/AFL/analyst-ratings?utm_source=Benzinga Insights">Stay up to date on Aflac analyst ratings.</a>
<h2>Unveiling the Story Behind Aflac</h2>
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.
<h3>Aflac's Financial Performance</h3>
Market Capitalization: Exceeding industry standards, the company's market capitalization places it above industry average in size relative to peers. This emphasizes its significant scale and robust market position.
Revenue Growth: 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 -0.31%. This indicates a decrease in the company's top-line earnings. As compared to competitors, the company encountered difficulties, with a growth rate lower than the average among peers in the Financials sector.
Net Margin: Aflac's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional net margin, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable net margin of 34.03%, the company showcases strong profitability and effective cost management.
Return on Equity (ROE): Aflac's financial strength is reflected in its exceptional ROE, which exceeds industry averages. With a remarkable ROE of 7.08%, the company showcases efficient use of equity capital and strong financial health.
Return on Assets (ROA): Aflac's ROA excels beyond industry benchmarks, reaching 1.43%. This signifies efficient management of assets and strong financial health.
Debt Management: The company maintains a balanced debt approach with a debt-to-equity ratio below industry norms, standing at 0.29.
<h2>The Basics of Analyst Ratings</h2>
Analysts work in banking and financial systems and typically specialize in reporting for stocks or defined sectors. Analysts may attend company conference calls and meetings, research company financial statements, and communicate with insiders to publish "analyst ratings" for stocks. Analysts typically rate each stock once per quarter.
In addition to their assessments, some analysts extend their insights by offering predictions for key metrics such as earnings, revenue, and growth estimates. This supplementary information provides further guidance for traders. It is crucial to recognize that, despite their specialization, analysts are human and can only provide forecasts based on their beliefs.
This article was generated by Benzinga's automated content engine and reviewed by an editor.

Evaluating Aflac: Insights From 9 Financial Analysts

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 $81 to $90.

Wells Fargo Maintains Equal-Weight on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $90

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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 $82 to $100.

Truist Securities Maintains Hold on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $100

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 $105 to $108.

B of A Securities Maintains Buy on Aflac, Raises Price Target to $108

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USAA Teams up With Aflac to Provide New Insurance Options for Members

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AM Best Affirms Credit Ratings of Aflac Incorporated and Its Subsidiaries

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Aflac (AFL) Forecast

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