Aflac Incorporated (AFL), through its subsidiary, American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus, provides supplemental health and life insurance. The company is a member of the dividend aristocrats’ index, has paid dividends since 1973 and increased them for 29 years in a row.
The company’s last dividend increase was in October 2011 when the Board of Directors approved a 10% increase to 33 cents/share. The company’s largest competitors include Nippon Life Insurance Company, Asahi Mutual Life Insurance Company and American fidelity Assurance Company.
Over the past decade this dividend growth stock has delivered an annualized total return of 5.20% to its shareholders.
The company has managed to an impressive increase in annual EPS growth since 2002. Earnings per share have risen by 11.60% per year. Analysts expect Aflac to earn $6.53 per share in 2012 and $6.58 per share in 2013. In comparison Aflac earned $4.18/share in 2011.
The return on equity increased from 12.50% in 2003 to 24% in 2010, before decreasing to 16% in 2011. If analysts’ estimates about earnings per share materialize in 2012 and 2013, and there aren't losses from company's investment portfolio, I would see this indicator moving back above 20%. Rather than focus on absolute values for this indicator, I generally want to see at least a stable return on equity over time.
The annual
dividend payment has increased by 20.40% per year over the past decade, which is higher than the growth in EPS. This was possible due to the expansion in dividend payout ratio. However, the rate of increase has slowed dramatically over the past five years.
A 20% growth in distributions translates into the
dividend payment doubling almost every three and a half years. If we look at historical data, going as far back as 1984 we see that Aflac has actually managed to double its dividend every four and a half years on average.
The dividend payout ratio has doubled from 15% in 2002 to 30% in 2011. A lower payout is always a plus, since it leaves room for consistent dividend growth minimizing the impact of short-term fluctuations in earnings.
Currently, Aflac
is attractively valued at 8.40 times earnings, has an adequately covered dividend and yields 2.90%. I would consider adding to my position in the stock subject to availability of funds.
Full Disclosure: Long AFL
Relevant Articles:
-
17 Cheap Dividend Aristocrats on Sale
-
Does entry price matter to dividend investors?
-
Active Dividend Growth Investing
-
Twelve Dividend Machines Boosting Dividends
This article was written by Dividend Growth Investor. If you enjoyed this article, please subscribe to my feed [RSS], or have future articles emailed to you [Email] or follow me on Twitter [Twitter].
