Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. The Aflac Japan segment offers cancer, medical, nursing care, whole life, and GIFT insurance products, as well as WAYS, child endowment, and Tsumitasu insurance products in Japan. The Aflac U.S. segment provides accident, disability, cancer, critical illness, hospital indemnity, dental, vision, and life insurance products in the United States. The company also offers hearing, final expense, pet, Medicare supplement, supplemental dental and vision, short-term disability, and absence management insurance products, along with cafeteria plans. It sells its products to individuals, families, and business owners through individual, independent corporate, and affiliated corporate agencies; banks; independent associates/career agents; and brokers. Aflac Incorporated was founded in 1955 and is headquartered in Columbus, Georgia.
Revised Labor Measures Promotion Act Takes Effect, Making Customer Harassment Measures a Corporate Obligation
The revised Labor Measures Promotion Act took effect on October 1, making measures against customer harassment, known as kasuhara, an urgent priority for companies. The law defines customer harassment as conduct by customers and others in the workplace that, in light of the nature of the work, exceeds the range acceptable under generally accepted social norms and harms the working environment of employees. It obligates companies to clarify their response policies, make them known to employees, establish consultation systems, and respond appropriately once harm occurs. Companies with inadequate measures will be subject to administrative guidance. Ahead of the mandate, major taxi operator Nihon Kotsu stated in its basic policy that the company would respond proactively and installed electronic signs in its vehicles indicating that security cameras are recording. Tully's Coffee Japan changed its name badges to display initials only, and Aflac Life Insurance Japan formulated a response manual that includes guidelines on matters such as prolonged detention and procedures for handling incidents. In a survey conducted by the Tokyo Metropolitan Government last October, only 38.5 percent of companies said they were taking measures against customer harassment, and companies that had not done so cited difficulties in distinguishing legitimate complaints and a lack of know-how as challenges.
AFL · Regulation · Neutral Aflac Life Insurance Japan formulated a customer-harassment response manual ahead of the new legal obligation, a compliance measure with no clear financial impact.
Tully's Coffee Japan · Regulation · Neutral Tully's Coffee Japan changed name badges to initials only to comply with the new customer-harassment mandate, a compliance step with no clear financial impact.
Aflac Net Earnings Jump 37.7% to $825 Million as Adjusted Earnings Fall 7.7%
Aflac reported second-quarter net earnings of $825 million, up 37.7%, even as adjusted earnings fell 7.7% to $883 million. The net gain was helped by investment losses that shrank to $153 million from $421 million a year earlier, while the adjusted decline reflected a yen averaging 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker than a year earlier, which cost adjusted earnings $0.05 a share. Excluding currency in the first half, adjusted earnings per share rose 4.1% to $3.57, and Japan's pretax adjusted margin widened to 34.3% from 32.0% as claims took a smaller bite out of premiums. US net earned premiums rose 2.3% to $1.5 billion and sales climbed 2.6% to $349 million, but US pretax adjusted earnings fell 4.6% to $370 million and its margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5%. Aflac returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter, $983 million through buybacks, and declared a $0.61 third-quarter dividend payable September 1 to holders of record on August 19, 2026.
AFL · Capital · Neutral Net earnings jumped 37.7% to $825M on smaller investment losses, but adjusted earnings fell 7.7% to $883M on yen weakness and US margin narrowed to 20.9% from 22.5%.
AFL · Monetary · Positive A yen averaging 159.45 to the dollar, 9.3% weaker year over year, cut adjusted earnings by $0.05 a share, making FX a distinct driver.
Forgent Power Solutions Surges 12.4% on Record Quarterly Results
Forgent Power Solutions Inc stock is up 12.4% at $35.26 after the company reported record fiscal fourth-quarter results, including an earnings beat. Revenue surged 94% year over year to $462 million, while bookings jumped 375% to a record $1.5 billion and backlog rose 256% to an all-time high of $3 billion. FPS has seen roughly 48,000 options contracts exchanged so far, or 4.2 times the usual intraday volume, with calls accounting for 41,000 of the total. Teva Pharmaceutical Industries Ltd stock is down 1.1% at $38.84 as the company officially transitions its primary shares to trade directly on the New York Stock Exchange, replacing its previous American depositary shares program, with options traders targeting TEVA at 4.4 times the usual intraday volume. Aflac Inc stock is up 0.4% at $117.99 despite Japan Post Holdings reportedly selling roughly $158 million worth of Aflac shares, with AFL seeing roughly 42,000 contracts exchanged, or 19.8 times the usual intraday amount.
FPS · Capital · Positive Forgent reported record fiscal Q4 results with an earnings beat, 94% revenue growth, and record bookings/backlog.
TEVA · Capital · Neutral Teva transitions its primary shares to trade directly on the NYSE, replacing its ADR program — a structural listing change with unclear directional impact.
AFL · Capital · Negative Japan Post Holdings reportedly selling roughly $158 million worth of Aflac shares is a negative capital/ownership event for AFL.
6178.JP · Capital · Neutral Japan Post Holdings is reported to be selling roughly $158 million worth of Aflac shares, but the article gives no clear positive or negative read for Japan Post itself.
Horace Mann Educators Leads Q2 Life Insurance Earnings
Horace Mann Educators reported second-quarter revenues of $443.5 million, up 7.7% year on year, making it the best performer among the 12 life insurance stocks tracked. The company's results were in line with analysts' expectations and included a beat of EPS estimates. Brighthouse Financial was the weakest, with revenues of $2.10 billion, down 2.4% year on year and missing expectations by 2%. Equitable Holdings reported revenues of $3.73 billion, down 1.9% year on year, while Aflac reported revenues of $4.22 billion, down 6.9% year on year. As a group, the 12 life insurance stocks missed consensus revenue estimates by 8.2%.
Aflac reported second-quarter revenue of $4.22 billion, a 6.9% year-on-year decline that was in line with analyst estimates of $4.23 billion, while adjusted EPS of $1.75 also matched expectations of $1.76. Management attributed the drop largely to tough comparisons in Japan following last year's launch of the Miraito cancer insurance product, though new offerings like Tsumitasu and Anshin Palette produced solid growth. In the U.S., sales growth was modest but supported by strength in group voluntary products and network dental and vision, with disciplined expense management helping to preserve margins. During the earnings call, analysts questioned the sustainability of asset repositioning efforts, the appetite for larger M&A deals, sequential declines in Japanese medical sales, the impact of inflation and higher rates on policy lapses, and the capital freed by expanding Japanese reinsurance. Aflac currently trades at $120.60, down from $126.66 just before the earnings.
AFL · Capital · Negative Q2 revenue declined 6.9% and EPS met estimates, with management citing tough comparisons and analysts questioning sustainability.
Aflac Q2 2026 Adjusted EPS Rises to $1.75, Japan Pretax Margin Improves
Aflac Inc reported second-quarter 2026 adjusted earnings per diluted share of $1.75, up 1.1% year-over-year to $1.80 excluding foreign currency effects. Aflac Japan's pretax margin improved 230 basis points to 34.3%, driven by a 250-basis-point decline in the total benefit ratio to 64% and a 40-basis-point drop in the expense ratio to 20.2%, though sales in the quarter fell 5.6% to JPY11 billion due to a tough comparison with the prior year's Miraito launch. Aflac US sales increased 2.6% and net earned premium rose 2.3%, but the total benefit ratio jumped 220 basis points to 49.5% on higher group disability claims, and full-year net earned premium growth is now expected just below the 3% to 6% guidance range. The company returned $1.3 billion to shareholders in the quarter through $983 million in share repurchases and $309 million in dividends, and it raised its Japan internal reinsurance target to 30% of FSA reserves to drive higher return on equity.
Aflac Reports Q2 Revenue Below Estimates, EPS In Line
Aflac reported second-quarter revenue of $4.12 billion, missing analyst estimates of $4.23 billion and marking a 9.2% year-on-year decline. Adjusted earnings per share came in at $1.75, in line with the consensus estimate of $1.76. Book value per share rose 18.7% year on year to $60.35, beating expectations of $55.23. Chairman and CEO Daniel P. Amos highlighted solid earnings and strategic execution, including new product initiatives in Japan and a focus on supplemental health products in the U.S. The stock fell 1.4% to $124.92 following the release.
Aflac, AIG, and Octave Specialty Set to Report Q2 Earnings Amid Favorable Insurance Trends
Aflac, American International Group, and Octave Specialty Group are scheduled to report second-quarter earnings tomorrow, with industry-wide tailwinds such as stable premium growth and a benign catastrophe loss environment setting a constructive backdrop. The broader Finance sector's earnings are projected to jump 22.9% year-over-year, while global commercial insurance rates declined 6% in the second quarter, marking the eighth straight quarter of reductions. Aflac carries a Zacks Rank #3 and an Earnings ESP of +0.90%, signaling a likely beat, while AIG and Octave Specialty do not conclusively predict beats with Earnings ESPs of -1.12% and 0.00%, respectively. Consensus estimates peg Aflac's earnings at $1.77 per share on $4.2 billion in revenue, AIG's at $1.89 per share on $7.3 billion, and Octave Specialty's at a loss of 1 cent per share on $81 million in revenue.
Aflac Could Be 10% Above Fair Value on Shrinking Revenue Views
Aflac shares may be trading about 10% above fair value as analysts project declining revenue and thinner profit margins. The stock closed at $129.55, while the most followed narrative pegs fair value at $117.71, implying the stock is overvalued. Analysts expect Aflac's revenue to shrink by 1.1% annually over the next three years, with profit margins contracting from 25.6% to 20.5%. However, a separate discounted cash flow model from Simply Wall St estimates fair value at $168.47, suggesting the stock is undervalued. Aflac's heavy reliance on Japan, declining net earned premiums, higher technology costs, and softer U.S. sales growth could challenge the fair value story.
AFL · Capital · Negative Analysts expect revenue to shrink 1.1% annually and profit margins to contract from 25.6% to 20.5%, implying overvaluation relative to fair value estimate of $117.71.
Chubb, Aflac, Cincinnati Financial, and T. Rowe Price stand out as Wall Street’s most reliable dividend growers
Four financial-sector stocks have been identified as Wall Street’s most reliable dividend growers, each with multi-decade records of consistent payout increases. Chubb raised its quarterly dividend to $1.02, supported by an 84% combined ratio and $3.95 billion in Q1 2026 operating cash flow. Aflac has delivered 43 consecutive years of dividend increases, with its latest hike to 61 cents per share backed by $1.02 billion in quarterly net income. Cincinnati Financial lifted its payout 8% to 94 cents, trades at roughly 10 times earnings, and holds over $8 billion in unrealized equity gains. T. Rowe Price offers the highest yield in the group at 4.5% but absorbed $13.7 billion in net client outflows in Q1 2026 alone.
Five Insurers Poised to Beat Second-Quarter Earnings Estimates
Five insurance companies are positioned to outperform second-quarter earnings expectations, according to Zacks Investment Research. The firms—Cincinnati Financial Corporation, Reinsurance Group of America, Oscar Health, Willis Towers Watson, and Aflac—each carry a positive Earnings ESP and a Zacks Rank of 1, 2, or 3, a combination that historically signals a higher likelihood of an earnings beat. The industry’s results are expected to benefit from prudent pricing, exposure growth, portfolio optimization, strong retention, and ongoing digital acceleration, along with a relatively subdued catastrophe environment. Consensus estimates show Reinsurance Group of America at $6.52 per share, up 38.1% year over year, and Oscar Health at 45 cents, up 150.6%, while Cincinnati Financial is pegged at $1.82, Willis Towers Watson at $3.13, and Aflac at $1.77.
Aflac raised its dividend for the 43rd straight year, but Japan exposure is a key risk
Aflac has increased its dividend for 43 consecutive years, with the latest hike coming in at 5.2% at the start of 2026. The insurer generated $4.3 billion in revenue in the first quarter of 2026, but roughly $1.6 billion of that came from its Japanese operations, which accounted for about two-thirds of pre-tax adjusted earnings. That heavy reliance on Japan means investors need to watch the relationship between the U.S. dollar and the Japanese yen, as a significant shift can materially impact financial results. The company also aggressively repurchases its own stock, which helps sustain dividend growth by reducing the share count. Despite the geographic concentration, Aflac remains a steady dividend grower with a roughly 2% yield.
StockStory flags Aflac, Columbia Financial, and Washington Trust as growth stocks with questionable fundamentals
StockStory identified Aflac, Columbia Financial, and Washington Trust Bancorp as growth stocks facing an uphill battle due to weak fundamentals. Aflac saw net premiums earned decline 6.2% annually over five years, a projected 4.8% drop in book value per share, and a high debt-to-equity ratio of 1.9 times. Columbia Financial posted flat net interest income over five years, a low net interest margin of 2.1%, and a 3.8% annual decline in earnings per share. Washington Trust Bancorp recorded 4.3% annual net interest income growth, a net interest margin of 2.3%, and a 9.6% annual drop in earnings per share despite flat revenue.
AFL · Capital · Negative Article highlights Aflac's declining net premiums, falling book value, and high debt-to-equity ratio as weak fundamentals.
CLBK · Capital · Negative Article notes Columbia Financial's flat net interest income, low net interest margin, and declining earnings per share.
WASH · Capital · Negative Article points to Washington Trust's low net interest margin and significant annual drop in earnings per share despite flat revenue.
Aflac says data breach affected about 4.4 million people
Aflac Life Insurance announced on the 13th that the number of individuals affected by a personal data leak due to unauthorized access has risen to about 4.4 million, an increase of 20,000 from the initial disclosure. The investigation revealed that the unauthorized access first occurred on June 10, and the number of people whose insurance premium transfer account information was leaked has been revised from about 230,000 to about 220,000. In response to a reporting order from the Financial Services Agency, the company plans to submit a report summarizing the investigation results and measures to prevent recurrence by the end of July. It is prioritizing sending apology letters to customers whose account information was leaked and is coordinating with relevant financial institutions in its response.
Statutory disability employment rate raised to 2.7%, fewer than half of companies meet target
The statutory disability employment rate for companies has been raised from 2.5% to 2.7%. Even under the previous standard, only 46.0% of companies met the target, and ensuring not just the quantity but also the quality of employment remains a challenge. Nomura Holdings' special subsidiary, Nomura Kagayaki, is expanding operations and supporting intra-group transfers, while Aflac Life Insurance's special subsidiary, Aflac Heartful Service, is adding new businesses. Meanwhile, the use of disability employment businesses to meet the employment rate is increasing, but these are seen as problematic for career development due to their weak connection to core operations. An expert panel of the Ministry of Health, Labour and Welfare has identified improving the quality of disability employment as a key issue and is discussing measures such as creating guidelines for companies.
8604.JP · Regulation · Neutral Nomura's special subsidiary is expanding operations, but the raised employment rate's effect on Nomura is ambiguous.
AFL · Regulation · Neutral Aflac's special subsidiary is mentioned as adding new businesses, but the overall impact of the raised employment rate on Aflac is unclear.
Aflac Stock Valuation Split After Japan Cyber Breach
Aflac's stock presents conflicting valuation signals following a cybersecurity breach at its Japanese subsidiary. The Excess Returns model estimates an intrinsic value of about $169.90 per share, roughly 30.3% above the current price, suggesting the stock is undervalued. However, the shares trade at a price-to-earnings ratio of about 13.0 times, above the fair-value framework's estimate of 10.0 times, indicating overvaluation. The recent cyber incident at Aflac Life Insurance Japan introduces operational and reputational risk that may partly explain the discount to intrinsic value. Overall, the stock scores 3 out of 6 on value tests, leaving its next move dependent on whether the market favors the Excess Returns upside or the cautious earnings multiple signal.
Aflac Files Omnibus Shelf Registration and Launches Fit Checks Cancer Screening Campaign
Aflac has filed an omnibus shelf registration statement covering common stock, debt securities, warrants, subscription rights, purchase contracts and purchase units, while also launching its Fit Checks cancer screening awareness campaign created with fashion designer Rachel Zoe. The campaign uses QR-enabled fashion pieces to link wearable design to cancer risk education. The shelf filing provides flexible future financing options, but does not materially change near-term earnings catalysts or key risks such as declining Japanese premiums, currency volatility, and pressure on investment income. Aflac's narrative projects $17.7 billion revenue and $3.6 billion earnings by 2029, requiring fairly flat yearly revenue growth and a $1.0 billion earnings decrease from $4.6 billion today. Fair value estimates from the Simply Wall St Community range from roughly US$112 to US$170 per share across two contributor views.
Nordson surges 25% in first half of 2026, leading Dividend Aristocrat picks
Nordson shares jumped 25.5% year to date through June 30, 2026, more than doubling the S&P 500's 9.5% return, after being named one of the three best Dividend Aristocrats to buy in 2026. The company raised its quarterly dividend to $0.82 from $0.78 and reported record fiscal second-quarter adjusted earnings of $2.86 per share on revenue of $740.85 million, with 7% organic growth across all segments and an 18% increase in backlog. Management lifted full-year guidance to sales of $2.93 billion to $3.01 billion and adjusted EPS of $11.30 to $11.80. Aflac, another pick, gained 6.3% and raised its quarterly payout 5.2% to $0.61, while Lowe's fell 8.6% despite beating earnings estimates for six straight quarters and increasing its dividend to $1.25 per share. All three companies extended their dividend growth streaks, underscoring the income-compounding thesis even as Lowe's faced housing-market headwinds.
Aflac and Rachel Zoe launch Fit Checks campaign to boost cancer screenings
Aflac and fashion designer Rachel Zoe have launched Fit Checks, a new awareness campaign featuring a first-of-its-kind garment with a QR code embedded in a checkered pattern that links to CheckForCancerNow.com, aiming to make cancer risk education part of everyday life. The campaign addresses findings from the 2025 Aflac Wellness Matters Survey showing that 59% of Americans avoid important health screenings and 94% have delayed a checkup. Fit Checks is part of Aflac's broader Check for Cancer movement, which seeks to increase cancer screenings in the U.S. by 10% over the next 10 years. Aflac, a Fortune 500 company and leading provider of cancer insurance in the U.S. and Japan, announced the initiative from its Columbus, Georgia headquarters.
Q1 Life Insurance Earnings: Aflac Misses, Primerica Leads, Brighthouse Lags
The first-quarter life insurance earnings season saw mixed results, with the 12 tracked stocks collectively beating revenue estimates by 3.1% while share prices rose 7.3% on average. Aflac reported revenues of $4.24 billion, down 1.8% year on year and missing analyst expectations by 1.7%, though it beat book value per share estimates. Primerica was the best performer with revenues of $872.3 million, up 8.6% year on year and beating estimates by 1.9%, while Brighthouse Financial was the weakest, posting revenues of $2.10 billion, down 2.7% and missing estimates by 4.8%. Jackson Financial delivered the largest revenue beat at 49.8% but saw the slowest revenue growth, and Equitable Holdings had the weakest performance against analyst estimates with a 7.3% revenue miss.
New Hampshire Firefighters Gain Early Cancer Screenings Under New Law
New Hampshire has enacted Senate Bill 352, providing nearly 4,000 professional firefighters with comprehensive early cancer detection screenings backed by $5 million in state funding. The program, championed by Professional Fire Fighters of New Hampshire President Brian Ryll, includes early detection blood tests, diagnostic ultrasounds, and low-dose lung CT scans to catch cancer in its earliest stages. Ryll was recognized as an Aflac Check for Cancer Champion for his advocacy, which he accepted on behalf of his executive board and credited bipartisan legislative support. Firefighters face higher cancer rates due to carcinogen exposure, and the initiative is seen as a potential model for other states. The effort aims to shift firefighter health culture toward prevention and early detection.
AFL · Demand · Positive Aflac is mentioned as the sponsor of the 'Check for Cancer' award given to the advocate, associating the brand with the positive health initiative.
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