Aflac Inc. - AFL STOCK NEWS

Aflac recently delivered 50 My Special Aflac Ducks to pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients at Children's Hospital New Orleans. This initiative, part of Aflac's commitment to these illnesses, aligns with Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month. Since its launch in 2018, over 17,000 ducks have been distributed free of charge. The ducks are designed to comfort children undergoing medical treatments, featuring interactive elements and an innovative design based on extensive research. Aflac has invested over $161 million in support of these communities.

AM Best has assigned a Long-Term Issue Credit Rating of 'a' (Excellent) to the new JPY 73 billion yen-denominated senior unsecured notes from Aflac. The offering includes various maturities and interest rates. Proceeds will help fund Aflac's upcoming debt obligations, increasing its adjusted financial leverage to approximately 25.7% temporarily. Aflac maintains a solid liquidity position with over USD 5.1 billion in cash and equivalents. The outlook for the ratings is stable.

Aflac has partnered with Be The Match to promote diversity in the national blood stem cell donor registry, addressing healthcare inequities for patients with blood cancers. The initiative, supported by NBA player Marcus Smart, aims to register more Aflac employees as donors. Aflac has contributed over $160 million to cancer care since 1995. Following a series of activations in September, including educational programs and a social media campaign, the partnership highlights the disparity in donor matches based on ethnicity, emphasizing the need for diverse representation in donor registries.

Aflac celebrated Childhood Cancer Awareness Month and National Sickle Cell Awareness Month by delivering its award-winning social robot, My Special Aflac Duck, to young patients at Nicklaus Children's Hospital in Miami. This initiative, part of Aflac's $161 million commitment to childhood cancer and blood disorders, aims to provide comfort to children facing these challenges. Since its launch in 2018, Aflac has donated over 17,000 ducks to hospitals nationwide. The duck features an interactive app and customizable soundscapes, enhancing the experience for children undergoing treatment.

Aflac has launched a marketing campaign for the 2022-2023 college football season to highlight the financial gap between health insurance and medical bills. This campaign introduces a new character, Gap Goat, who symbolizes unexpected medical costs and opponents the iconic Aflac Duck. The campaign features notable figures like Deion Sanders and Nick Saban, focusing on educating fans about managing medical debt. The campaign will be visible across multiple platforms, starting with its first commercial on Aug. 27, 2022, during ESPN's college football coverage.

Aflac Incorporated has appointed Virgil R. Miller as the new president of Aflac U.S., effective January 1, 2023, succeeding Teresa L. White. Miller has over 30 years of industry experience and will oversee core sales operations, customer service, and IT. His focus will be on expanding sales growth and leveraging technology for efficiency amid a digitized market. He has held various senior roles within Aflac since joining in 2004. Aflac is a leading provider of supplemental health insurance, serving more than 50 million people in Japan and the U.S.

Aflac, in partnership with the Sunrise Association, delivered over 150 'My Special Aflac Ducks' to children facing childhood cancer at Sunrise Day Camp in Long Island. This initiative is part of Aflac's commitment to support children with cancer, which includes over $160 million in contributions to related health centers. Aflac's President emphasized the positive impact of these robots on children’s emotional well-being. Additionally, Aflac is contributing $60,000 to help send 10 children to camp next year, reinforcing its dedication to social responsibility.

Aflac Incorporated has introduced two new consumer-directed insurance products: Aflac Final Expense Whole Life Insurance and Aflac Medicare Supplement Insurance. These offerings, underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company, aim to support individuals and families facing end-of-life expenses and gaps in Medicare coverage. The Final Expense insurance helps cover significant costs such as medical fees, legal expenses, and funerals, with policies available for ages 45 to 80. The Medicare Supplement policies cover expenses not included in Medicare, allowing seniors to enjoy retirement with less financial stress.

Aflac reported Q2 2022 revenues of $5.4 billion, down from $5.6 billion a year ago. Net earnings rose to $1.4 billion ($2.16/share) from $1.1 billion ($1.62/share) due to $564 million in net investment gains. Adjusted earnings decreased 13.1% to $939 million, impacted by a weaker yen and higher expenses. Shareholders' equity fell to $26.4 billion from $33.7 billion in 2021. Aflac Japan saw a 4.2% decline in net earned premiums in yen, while Aflac U.S. reported a 1.0% decline. The company declared a dividend of $0.40 per share, payable on September 1, 2022.