Focus Stock of the Week
Aflac Inc. (AFL)
This week’s Focus Stock of the Week is Aflac Inc. (AFL: $55), which carries S&P Capital IQ’s highest investment recommendation of 5-STARS, or Strong Buy. We see sales in Japan, after rising in the high single digits in 2012, advancing in the mid-to-high single digits in 2013. We expect a slowdown in growth in the bank distribution channel after several years of rapid growth fueled by increasing penetration....
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Industry Profile
Life & Health Insurance
Our fundamental outlook on the life & health insurance sub-industry is neutral. We see a challenging sales growth environment, and suppressed ROEs over the near term relative to historical levels. Sustained low interest rates will likely pressure net investment income and operating margins for life insurers in the near to intermediate term....
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The primary mission of the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) is to protect investors and maintain the integrity of the securities markets. It does so by requiring public companies to disclose meaningful financial information to the public in a timely and comprehensive manner. Further, the SEC oversees and regulates key participants in the securities world, including stock exchanges, broker-dealers, investment advisors, and mutual funds.
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