AFLAC Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) was downgraded by research analysts at Vetr from a “strong-buy” rating to a “buy” rating in a research report issued on Tuesday, Marketbeat.com reports. They presently have a $63.31 price target on the stock. Vetr‘s target price indicates a potential upside of 10.07% from the company’s previous close.

Shares of AFLAC (NYSE:AFL) traded up 1.72% during midday trading on Tuesday, reaching $57.52. 1,589,373 shares of the company were exchanged. The company has a market capitalization of $24.55 billion and a P/E ratio of 10.07. AFLAC has a 52-week low of $51.41 and a 52-week high of $66.53. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of $58.80 and a 200 day moving average price of $60.89.

Other equities analysts have also recently issued reports about the stock. Zacks Investment Research raised shares of AFLAC from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and set a $72.00 price objective on the stock in a research note on Thursday, October 29th. Keefe, Bruyette & Woods reaffirmed a “buy” rating and issued a $69.00 price objective (up from $68.00) on shares of AFLAC in a research note on Monday, October 12th. Sandler O’Neill raised shares of AFLAC from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating in a research note on Monday. Barclays reduced their price objective on shares of AFLAC from $67.00 to $65.00 and set an “equal weight” rating on the stock in a research note on Friday, December 4th. Finally, Piper Jaffray reaffirmed a “hold” rating and issued a $77.00 price objective (up from $76.00) on shares of AFLAC in a research note on Wednesday, October 28th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, nine have given a hold rating and five have given a buy rating to the stock. The company has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of $68.10.

A number of hedge funds and institutional investors have added to or reduced their stakes in the stock. River & Mercantile Asset Management acquired a new position in AFLAC during the fourth quarter worth $95,000. Park National increased its position in AFLAC by 11.1% in the fourth quarter. Park National now owns 4,056 shares of the company’s stock worth $242,000 after buying an additional 405 shares during the period. BKD Wealth Advisors LLC increased its position in AFLAC by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. BKD Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 4,328 shares of the company’s stock worth $259,000 after buying an additional 44 shares during the period. Profit Investment Management increased its position in AFLAC by 15.2% in the fourth quarter. Profit Investment Management now owns 4,990 shares of the company’s stock worth $299,000 after buying an additional 657 shares during the period. Finally, Quantres Asset Management acquired a new position in AFLAC during the fourth quarter worth $323,000.

In related news, Director Elizabeth J. Hudson sold 2,644 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, December 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of $60.29, for a total value of $159,406.76. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 5,835 shares of the company’s stock, valued at $351,792.15. The transaction was disclosed in a legal filing with the SEC, which can be accessed through the SEC website. Also, EVP Kenneth S. Janke, Jr. sold 60,415 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Tuesday, December 8th. The shares were sold at an average price of $62.11, for a total transaction of $3,752,375.65. Following the completion of the transaction, the executive vice president now directly owns 114,919 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately $7,137,619.09. The disclosure for this sale can be found here.

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is a business holding company. The Company is engaged in supplemental health and life insurance, which is marketed and administered through its subsidiary, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus (Aflac). Aflac offers insurance policies in Japan and the United States that provide a layer of financial protection against income and asset loss. Aflac’s insurance business consists of two segments: Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S. Aflac Japan sells voluntary supplemental insurance products, including cancer plans, medical indemnity plans, medical/sickness riders, care plans, living benefit life plans, ordinary life insurance plans and annuities. Aflac U.S. sells insurance products, including products designed to protect individuals from depletion of assets, such as accident, cancer, critical illness/care, hospital intensive care, hospital indemnity, fixed-benefit dental and vision care plans, and loss-of-income products.

12 Month Chart for NYSE:AFL

To view Vetr’s full report, visit Vetr’s official website.

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