Description

Aflac Incorporated engages in supplemental health and life insurance. Their main insurance business consists of two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac US. Aflac Japan sells voluntary supplemental insurance products, including cancer plans, general medical indemnity plans, medical/sickness riders, ordinary life insurance plans and annuities. Aflac US sells supplemental 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.

Source: Thomson Reuters

Investment Action

We are bullish on AFL on the company’s market share in Japan, as well as its strong balance sheet and strong dividend history. The current trend for dollar/yen is in favor for AFL’s operations and should continue for a while. Japan’s demographics should lead to rising demand for medical needs and hence greater demand for medical insurance. The company has projected a 3-5% CAGR for its US operations and a 4-6% CAGR for its Japanese operations for the next 2 years until 2019. We believe that AFL makes for a solid investment on the back of its strong financials and current valuations.

AFL recently reported its earnings at the start of February. They reported an EPS of US$1.54 compared to consensus estimates of US$1.65 and down yoy from US$1.56. Revenue was strong, increasing 12% yoy to US$6.0 bn due to stronger yen/dollar exchange rates. Following the announcement of results, AFL fell about 3% post earnings but has since shown signs of recovery.

We believe that AFL is well positioned to take advantage of certain growth catalyst in the future. As an insurer, AFL generates income in two ways; policy premiums and investment income from invested premiums.

Since AFL derives about 75% of its revenue from Japan, and due to the demographics of the country, namely the aging population, we believe that the need for medical services will only increase going forward. As such, the demand for medical related insurances should also increase, and AFL, with its market share of the Japanese market, should be able to capture this growing demand to increase premium income. AFL is also trying to increase its US business, and have started leveraging its One Day Pay scheme, which promises to pay out claims within the same day as the claim, to increase customer satisfaction and increase brand awareness and account penetration.

Additionally, interest rates are expected to be raised about 3 times in 2017, and each hike is a potential catalyst for AFL to grow. AFL ended the year 2016 with US$ 116 bn in total cash and investments, a 9.9% increase yoy. AFL’s net investment income for 2016 was about US$3.3 bn. When interest rates rise, AFL will be able to generate a higher return on its investments and hence report higher earnings.

Key Points:

• Technicals. AFL has turned back into the long term uptrend since April 2016 confirmed by the 20 week moving average crossing above the 60 week moving average. The increase in bullish momentum succeeded in lifting price higher to break above the prior all-time high at 67.52 further validates the accelerating bullish momentum.

• Since then, price made a new all-time high at 74.50 in September 2016 before experiencing a period of correction. Nonetheless, the long term uptrend remains intact with the confluence of 67.52 resistance turned support area, 60 week moving average and 38.2% Fibonacci retracement level halted the correction. Moreover, the bullish momentum is reappearing again as buyers effectively broke price above the 70.80 range high and 20 week moving average on the week ended 17/02/17. Expect the long term uptrend to resume next to test the 74.50 resistance area followed by 77.00.

• Valuations. AFL currently trades at a PER of 11.07. In comparison, American International Group (NYSE:AIG) trades at 117.49 PER and Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) at 17.55 PER. AFL’s 5 year average PER is about 9.73. AFL’s dividend history is also very strong, having not only paid out a dividend every year for 34 years, but also increasing that dividend every consecutive year. Its current dividend yield is about 2.42%, and its payout ratio is about 0.27, meaning it can very comfortably continue boosting its dividends. AFL has an Operating Margin of 18.03% and Net Profit Margin of 11.79%. Overall, we believe that AFL is currently Under Valued.

• Risks. AFL derives a majority of its revenue from Japan, and as such is susceptible to fluctuations in currency. When yen weakens against the dollar, AFL’s earnings will be negatively impacted as they report earnings in dollars. Additionally, the market is likely to be somewhat pricing in the effects of the expected rate hikes and in the event the hikes do not take place, AFL share price may be punished for that.