Aflac (AFL) Soars to 52-Week High, Time to Cash Out?
Shares of Aflac (AFL) have been strong performers lately, with the stock up 8% over the past month. The stock hit a new 52-week high of $58.73 in the previous session. Aflac has gained 31.5% since the start of the year compared to the 23.6% move for the Zacks Finance sector and the 29.3% return for the Zacks Insurance - Accident and Health industry.
What's Driving the Outperformance?
The stock has a great record of positive earnings surprises, as it hasn't missed our earnings consensus estimate in any of the last four quarters. In its last earnings report on October 27, 2021, Aflac reported EPS of $1.53 versus consensus estimate of $1.3 while it missed the consensus revenue estimate by 2.72%.
For the current fiscal year, Aflac is expected to post earnings of $5.89 per share on $21.64 billion in revenues. This represents a 18.75% change in EPS on a -2.29% change in revenues. For the next fiscal year, the company is expected to earn $5.28 per share on $20.74 billion in revenues. This represents a year-over-year change of -10.33% and -4.15%, respectively.
Valuation Metrics
Aflac may be at a 52-week high right now, but what might the future hold for the stock? A key aspect of this question is taking a look at valuation metrics in order to determine if the company has run ahead of itself.
On this front, we can look at the Zacks Style Scores, as these give investors a variety of ways to comb through stocks (beyond looking at the Zacks Rank of a security). These styles are represented by grades running from A to F in the categories of Value, Growth, and Momentum, while there is a combined VGM Score as well. Investors should consider the style scores a valuable tool that can help you to pick the most appropriate Zacks Rank stocks based on their individual investment style.
Aflac has a Value Score of A. The stock's Growth and Momentum Scores are D and F, respectively, giving the company a VGM Score of B.
In terms of its value breakdown, the stock currently trades at 9.9X current fiscal year EPS estimates. On a trailing cash flow basis, the stock currently trades at 8.6X versus its peer group's average of 9.9X. Additionally, the stock has a PEG ratio of 1.99. This isn't enough to put the company in the top echelon of all stocks we cover from a value perspective.
Zacks Rank
We also need to consider the stock's Zacks Rank, as this supersedes any trend on the style score front. Fortunately, Aflac currently has a Zacks Rank of #2 (Buy) thanks to rising earnings estimates.
Since we recommend that investors select stocks carrying Zacks Rank of 1 (Strong Buy) or 2 (Buy) and Style Scores of A or B, it looks as if Aflac passes the test. Thus, it seems as though Aflac shares could have potential in the weeks and months to come.
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