Aflac: Reliable Dividend Compounder, Premium Justified, But Meaningful Upside Unlikely

Aflac remains a quality dividend compounder, but its premium valuation suggests potential near-term underperformance. Recent earnings showed slowing growth, with revenue and EPS both declining year-over-year, primarily due to headwinds in Japan. AFL continues to deliver strong shareholder returns through dividends and aggressive share repurchases, supported by a robust balance sheet and low leverage.