Aflac Q4 2019 Earnings Report
Key Takeaways
Aflac Incorporated reported fourth-quarter results, with total revenues of $5.6 billion and net earnings of $782 million, or $1.06 per diluted share. Adjusted earnings were $756 million, or $1.03 per diluted share. The company affirms its 2020 adjusted EPS outlook and increased its first-quarter cash dividend by 3.7%.
Total revenues reached $5.6 billion, up from $5.1 billion in Q4 2018.
Net earnings increased to $782 million, or $1.06 per diluted share, compared to $525 million, or $0.69 per diluted share in the previous year.
Adjusted earnings were $756 million, a slight decrease from $779 million in Q4 2018.
Aflac Japan's pretax adjusted earnings declined 8.8% on a reported basis and 7.2% on a currency-neutral basis.
Aflac
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Aflac Revenue by Segment
Forward Guidance
Aflac aims to produce stable adjusted earnings per diluted share of $4.32 to $4.52, assuming the 2019 weighted-average exchange rate of 109.07 yen to the dollar.
Positive Outlook
- The company is focused on driving future earned premium growth.
- Aflac is committed to rewarding shareholders through dividend increases.
- The company is reinvesting in its platform to drive efficiencies.
- Aflac is balancing reinvestment with a focus on increasing the dividend and repurchasing shares.
- Share repurchase is expected to be in the range of $1.3 to $1.7 billion in 2020.
Challenges Ahead
- Aflac Japan saw a decline in total earned premium in 2019 due to limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status.
- Full-year third sector and first sector protection sales were down in the mid-teens.
- Aflac U.S. financial results reflected elevated expenses due to ongoing investments.
- Aflac expects a decline in the range of 0.7% in third sector and first sector protection earned premium for the year.
- The company's objectives assume stable capital conditions and the absence of compelling alternatives.
Revenue & Expenses
Visualization of income flow from segment revenue to net income