Aflac Inc. - AFL STOCK NEWS

On June 5, 2024, Aflac sponsored a 'Celebration of Courage' event in partnership with Beads of Courage at the Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorders Center of Children's Healthcare of Atlanta. The event aimed to uplift pediatric patients and their families by allowing them to create bead necklaces symbolizing their treatment milestones. Notable beads included the Aflac Wingman Bead and the My Special Aflac Duck® Bead. Aflac volunteers from Columbus participated, assisting patients like five-year-olds Charlie and Dewey in crafting their bead collections. The event was a free, heartwarming initiative that emphasized courage and positivity.

Aflac, a U.S. leader in supplemental and group insurance, has partnered with Empathy to offer on-demand loss support services beginning July 1. This initiative aims to assist beneficiaries and insureds under Aflac's Group Life, Absence, and Disability Solutions with grief management and administrative challenges after a loved one’s death. Key features include confidential grief support, bereavement concierge, estate administration, identity theft protection, funeral assistance, and a secure digital document vault. These services align with Aflac's commitment to providing comprehensive care and value to its customers.

Aflac's Chief Human Resources Officer, Jeri Hawthorne, highlights the importance of mental wellness at work. Based on her personal experiences, she emphasizes the need for a balanced life, as confirmed by the recent Aflac WorkForces Report which shows 74% of American workers are stressed, and 57% face moderate levels of burnout. Hawthorne advises assessing one's work-life balance using a 'button' analogy and encourages employees to utilize available benefits, understand stress limits, take paid time off, and get regular health checkups. This approach aims to foster a healthier and more productive work environment.

On May 28, 2024, Clemson University Head Football Coach Dabo Swinney and Aflac U.S. President Virgil Miller distributed My Special Aflac Ducks at Prisma Health Children's Hospital-Upstate, aiding 17 pediatric cancer and sickle cell patients. The event, part of the lead-up to the 2024 Aflac Kickoff Game against the Georgia Bulldogs, highlighted Aflac's commitment to supporting children with serious illnesses. Since 2018, over 30,000 animatronic ducks have been donated, helping reduce distress and anxiety during treatments. My Special Aflac Duck has earned accolades, including a spot on Time Magazine's 50 Best Inventions.

Aflac has announced a strategic partnership with Nayya to enhance the claims experience for customers of its supplemental health insurance. This partnership will use Nayya's data analytics and advanced algorithms to improve how employees access their benefits. Nayya will integrate medical claims data with Aflac's supplemental health plans for select employers, aiming to increase benefits utilization and account retention. The 2023-2024 Aflac WorkForces Report highlights that nearly 50% of employees can't cover over $1,000 in unexpected medical costs. Aflac sees this partnership as a way to ease financial burdens and improve customer satisfaction.

Aflac Global Investments (AGI), a subsidiary of Aflac, announced its plan to acquire a 40% stake in Tree Line Capital Partners, a San Francisco-based lower middle-market direct lender. Alongside this acquisition, Aflac is also committing a portion of its annual investable cash flow to Tree Line over several years. Tree Line, managing $2.7 billion in assets and founded by Tom Quimby and Jon Schroeder, will maintain its autonomy and leadership. This partnership aligns with Aflac's growth strategy, specifically enhancing its capabilities in middle-market direct lending. The deal is expected to accelerate Tree Line's growth and expand its offerings.

Aflac's My Special Aflac Duck(R) has been proven effective in helping children cope with cancer, as shown in recent clinical research. The robotic duck reduces distress, nausea, pain, and anxiety associated with cancer treatments, benefiting both pediatric cancer patients and caregivers. The unexpected positive findings from the study highlight the valuable contribution of the duck in supporting the entire children's ecosystem. More than 29,000 ducks have been distributed free of charge to children diagnosed with cancer and blood disorders, showcasing Aflac's commitment to children's health.

Aflac Incorporated reported strong first-quarter results with total revenues of $5.4 billion, net earnings of $1.9 billion, and a second-quarter cash dividend declared. Shareholders' equity increased to $23.5 billion with a return on equity of 33.0%. Aflac Japan saw net earned premiums decline in yen terms but increased profit margins. Aflac U.S. experienced growth in net earned premiums and adjusted net investment income. The board declared a dividend of $0.50 per share and $750 million was deployed to repurchase shares.

Aflac U.S. President Virgil Miller shares a personal story of learning from failure and taking risks on the Don Yaeger Podcast. Virgil's journey from a baseball player to a U.S. Marine to a corporate leader at Aflac showcases his resilience and determination. He emphasizes the importance of not sitting on the sidelines and always swinging the bat, drawing parallels between sports and corporate leadership. Virgil's insights on risk-taking, team leadership, and the value of regular checkups for cancer detection provide valuable lessons for listeners.