Versor Investments LP Decreases Stake in Aflac Incorporated

Versor Investments LP has significantly reduced its investment in Aflac Incorporated, a notable provider of financial services, by selling 43.5% of its holdings during the third quarter. The investment firm, after this sale, retained 5,061 shares valued at approximately $388,000. This adjustment in position was disclosed in their latest filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Activities Amongst Institutional Investors

Various other institutional investors and hedge funds have also been revising their stakes in Aflac. CoreFirst Bank & Trust took on a new position worth about $25,000 in the 4th quarter, while Studio Investment Management LLC entered with a stake valued at around $27,000. Missouri Trust & Investment Co invested around $28,000 during the second quarter. Impact Partnership Wealth LLC increased its share by 471.4% in the third quarter, accumulating a stake now worth $31,000. PCA Investment Advisory Services Inc. made a new investment valued at $42,000 in Aflac during the second quarter. Overall, institutional investors and hedge funds own 66.75% of Aflac's stock.

Inside Trades at Aflac

In insider trading news, June P. Howard, Aflac's VP, sold 6,000 shares at an average price of $81.01, amounting to a total sale value of $486,060. Post transaction, Howard holds 123,026 shares, valued close to $10 million. Similarly, CFO Steven Kent Beaver sold 3,114 shares at $82.71 each, totaling $257,558.94, and now owns 20,914 shares. Over the past 90 days, Aflac insiders have sold 164,815 shares valued at over $13.38 million. Company insiders own 0.90% of Aflac's stock.

Aflac's Stock Performance

Aflac's stock recently traded at $85.74, with a 50-day simple moving average of $82.75 and a 200-day average of $78.86. It has a one year low of $60.20 and touched a one year high of $85.75, boasting a market capitalization of $50.10 billion. The company's performance indicators also show a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.31, and both a quick and current ratio of 0.08.

The company reported quarterly earnings of $1.84 per share, surpassing the consensus estimates by $0.40. In comparison to the previous year, Aflac's quarterly revenue rose by 5.2% reaching $4.95 billion. The return on equity stands at 17.86% with a net margin of 24.17%. Analysts forecast an EPS of 6.42 for the current fiscal year.

Analysts' Perspectives on Aflac

Analysts have varying opinions on Aflac stock, with The Goldman Sachs Group increasing their price target to $75 from $61, yet giving a 'sell' rating. JPMorgan Chase & Co. considers the stock 'neutral,' raising their target price from $74 to $80. Other ratings include a 'hold' from StockNews.com and 'neutral' from UBS Group, with a raised target from $80 to $84. Morgan Stanley rates it as 'equal weight' with a target price increase from $75 to $80. In summary, Aflac holds a consensus rating of 'Hold' and an average target price of $79.45 according to MarketBeat data.

Aflac's Business Profile

Aflac Incorporated operates through its subsidiaries, providing supplemental health and life insurance products primarily in Japan and the U.S. Aflac Japan offers a range of insurance products including cancer, medical, and life insurance policies while Aflac U.S. provides various health and life insurance products tailored for the American market.

Investments, Aflac, Versor