Aflac Incorporated: A Reliable Retirement Dividend Stock with 42-Year Consistent Growth

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) is a reliable retirement dividend stock for steady income. The company offers supplemental insurance policies related to life, cancer, and general health coverage in the US and Japan. Aflac Japan reported a 12.6% YoY increase in sales, and Aflac US achieved a 1.8% increase in net earned premiums. The company has a 42-year streak of consistent dividend growth and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share with a 2.35% dividend yield.

Aflac Incorporated (AFL) is set to release its second-quarter earnings report, with analysts projecting a decline in earnings per share (EPS) and revenue compared to the same period last year. Wall Street analysts anticipate that Aflac will report $1.71 per share in earnings, a 6.6% decrease from the previous year [1]. Revenue is forecasted to be $4.43 billion, representing a 13.7% year-over-year decrease.

The consensus EPS estimate has been revised upward by 0.6% over the past 30 days, reflecting analysts' collective reassessment of the company's financial health. This trend is significant as it can influence investor sentiment and short-term price performance [1].

Key metrics such as 'Revenues- Other income (loss)' are expected to increase by 35.5% year-over-year, reaching $29.80 million [1]. 'Revenues- Net investment income' is forecasted to decrease by 17.2%, reaching $907.26 million [1]. 'Revenues- Total net earned premiums' is projected to grow by 3.4%, reaching $3.44 billion [1]. These projections offer a deeper insight into Aflac's operational performance.

Aflac Japan is expected to report a 2.6% year-over-year decrease in total adjusted revenues, reaching $2.38 billion [1]. This segment's performance is crucial for the company's overall financial health, given its significant contribution to total revenues.

Analysts predict that 'Total Adjusted Expenses/Total Adjusted Revenue - Aflac U.S.' will increase to 38.1%, compared to 36.9% in the previous year [1]. This metric suggests a potential increase in operational expenses, which could impact the company's profitability.

Despite the expected decline in earnings and revenue, Aflac's dividend history remains impressive. The company has a 42-year streak of consistent dividend growth and pays a quarterly dividend of $0.58 per share with a 2.35% dividend yield [2]. This makes Aflac a reliable choice for investors seeking steady income.

Institutional investors have shown interest in Aflac's stock. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank, for instance, trimmed its stake by 46.4% during the first quarter [2]. However, other institutional investors like GAMMA Investing LLC and Northern Trust Corp have increased their holdings in the company [2].

Aflac's stock has been relatively stable, with a 4.8% return over the past month compared to the Zacks S&P 500 composite's 2.7% change [1]. The company currently carries a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy), suggesting potential outperformance in the near future [1].

Overall, Aflac's Q2 earnings report will provide valuable insights into the company's financial performance. While analysts expect a decline in earnings and revenue, the company's strong dividend history and institutional investor interest make it a stock worth monitoring.

References:
[1] https://www.nasdaq.com/articles/gear-aflac-afl-q2-earnings-wall-street-estimates-key-metrics
[2] https://www.marketbeat.com/instant-alerts/filing-aflac-incorporated-nyseafl-stake-trimmed-by-zurcher-kantonalbank-zurich-cantonalbank-2025-07-29/