Aflac Incorporated Board of Directors Increases Shares Authorized for Repurchase
Aflac Incorporated's board has authorized the purchase of up to 100 million shares of its common stock, adding to the 21.9 million shares remaining from a previous authorization as of June 30, 2020. This brings the total authorized shares for repurchase to approximately 121.9 million. Aflac aims to repurchase shares in open markets based on conditions, demonstrating its commitment to capital management while extending its record of 37 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. CEO Daniel P. Amos emphasized the importance of fulfilling policyholder promises while addressing shareholder interests.
- Authorization of an additional 100 million share buyback enhances shareholder value.
- Continuing commitment to dividend increases with 37 consecutive years.
- Demonstrates strong capital management strategy amidst market conditions.
- None.
COLUMBUS, Ga., Aug. 11, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- Aflac Incorporated announced today that its board of directors has authorized the purchase of up to 100 million shares of its common stock. This authorization is in addition to the 21.9 million shares as of June 30, 2020, that remained under the August 8, 2017 authorization, bringing the total number of shares available for purchase to approximately 121.9 million. The company anticipates that the repurchase of shares will be conducted from time to time in open market or negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions.
Commenting on the news, Aflac Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "As an insurance company, our primary responsibility is to fulfill the promises we make to our policyholders. At the same time, we are listening to our shareholders and understand the importance of prudent liquidity and capital management. This includes pursuing a tactical approach to capital allocation as we remain in the market repurchasing shares and extending our 37 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. With this approach, we look to emerge from this period in a continued position of strength and leadership."
ABOUT AFLAC INCORPORATED
Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) is a Fortune 500 company, helping provide protection to more than 50 million people through its subsidiaries in Japan and the U.S., where it is a leading supplemental insurer by paying cash fast when policyholders get sick or injured. For more than six decades, insurance policies of Aflac Incorporated's subsidiaries have given policyholders the opportunity to focus on recovery, not financial stress. Aflac Life Insurance Japan is the leading provider of medical and cancer insurance in Japan, where it insures 1 in 4 households. Fortune magazine recognized Aflac as one of the 100 Best Companies to Work for in America for 20 consecutive years. For 14 consecutive years, Aflac has been recognized by Ethisphere as one of the World's Most Ethical Companies. In 2020, Fortune included Aflac Incorporated on its list of World's Most Admired Companies for the 19th time, and Bloomberg added Aflac Incorporated to its Gender-Equality Index, which tracks the financial performance of public companies committed to supporting gender equality through policy development, representation and transparency. To learn how to get help with expenses health insurance doesn't cover, get to know us at aflac.com.
FORWARD-LOOKING INFORMATION
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those included in the forward-looking statements. The company desires to take advantage of these provisions. This document contains cautionary statements identifying important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those projected herein, and in any other statements made by company officials in communications with the financial community and contained in documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other developments. Furthermore, forward-looking information is subject to numerous assumptions, risks and uncertainties. In particular, statements containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal," "objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," "will," "assumes," "potential," "target," "outlook" or similar words as well as specific projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
The company cautions readers that the following factors, in addition to other factors mentioned from time to time, could cause actual results to differ materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements:
- the effects of COVID-19 and any resulting economic effects and government interventions on the Company's business and financial results
- ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates, brokers, employees, and distribution partners
- events related to the Japan Post investigation and other matters
- competitive environment and ability to anticipate and respond to market trends
- deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions
- ability to continue to develop and implement improvements in information technology systems
- defaults and credit downgrades of investments
- exposure to significant interest rate risk
- concentration of business in Japan
- limited availability of acceptable yen-denominated investments
- failure to comply with restrictions on policyholder privacy and information security
- interruption in telecommunication, information technology and other operational systems, or a failure to maintain the security, confidentiality or privacy of sensitive data residing on such systems
- catastrophic events including, but not necessarily limited to, epidemics, pandemics, tornadoes, hurricanes, earthquakes, tsunamis, war or other military action, terrorism or other acts of violence, and damage incidental to such events
- difficult conditions in global capital markets and the economy
- ability to protect the Aflac brand and the Company's reputation
- extensive regulation and changes in law or regulation by governmental authorities
- foreign currency fluctuations in the yen/dollar exchange rate
- tax rates applicable to the Company may change
- decline in creditworthiness of other financial institutions
- significant valuation judgments in determination of amount of impairments taken on the Company's investments
- U.S. tax audit risk related to conversion of the Japan branch to a subsidiary
- subsidiaries' ability to pay dividends to the Parent Company
- decreases in the Company's financial strength or debt ratings
- inherent limitations to risk management policies and procedures
- concentration of the Company's investments in any particular single-issuer or sector
- differing judgments applied to investment valuations
- ability to effectively manage key executive succession
- changes in accounting standards
- level and outcome of litigation
- allegations or determinations of worker misclassification in the United States
Analyst and investor contact - David A. Young, 706.596.3264 or 800.235.2667 or dyoung@aflac.com
Media contact - Catherine H. Blades, 706.596.3014; FAX: 706.320.2288 or cblades@aflac.com
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SOURCE Aflac Incorporated
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