Morgan Stanley maintains the same weight rating on Aflac (AFL)

Morgan Stanley maintains the same weight rating on Aflac (AFL)
Morgan Stanley maintains the same weight rating on Aflac (AFL)

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is included among the The 15 Best Boring Dividend Stocks to Buy.

Morgan Stanley maintains the same weight rating on Aflac (AFL)
Morgan Stanley maintains the same weight rating on Aflac (AFL)

Image by Alexsander-777 on Pixabay

Morgan Stanley raised its price target on Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) to $118 from $11⁠3 on Nov. 17, while maintaining an equal weight stance on the stock, according to a report from The Fly.

Aflac Incorporated’s (NYSE:AFL) historic dividend history continues to reflect the strength of its underwriting discipline. On November 11, the company announced a 5% increase in its quarterly payout to $0.61 per share, marking its 43rd consecutive year of collecting dividends. The insurer generates enough profits to support the dividends. increases while continuing to allocate substantial capital to buybacks, reducing its stake by approximately 38% over the last ten years.

Aflac Incorporated President and CEO Daniel P. Amos had the following comment on the dividend announcement:

“I am pleased with the Board’s action to increase the first quarter 2026 dividend. We cherish our record of 43 consecutive years of dividend increases, and our dividend history is supported by the strength of our capital and cash flows. As an insurance company, our primary responsibility is to deliver on the promises we make to our policyholders. At the same time, we listen to our shareholders and understand the importance of prudent liquidity and capital management. We remain committed to maintaining strong ratios. on behalf of our policyholders and balance this financial strength with tactical capital deployment.”

Analysts believe Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) still has room to maintain that momentum. The company’s dividend payout ratio remains relatively low, just below 3‌3% of projected 2025 earnings, and Wall Street expects the company to grow earnings at a rate of about 5% annually in the coming years.

While we recognize AFL’s potential as an investment, we believe certain AI stocks offer greater growth potential and carry less downside risk. If you’re looking for an extremely undervalued AI stock that’s also benefiting significantly from Trump-era tariffs and the offshoring trend, check out our free report on best short-term AI stock.

READ NEXT: The 15 Best Long-Term Stocks to Buy According to Reddit and 15 best stocks to buy in the medium term

Disclosure: None.

Source link