AFLAC Earned $1.56 per Share for Q4

AFLAC (AFL) just reported Q4 operating earnings of $1.56 per share. That beat estimates by nine cents per share. The weak yen knocked off five cents per share which is far less damage than it’s done in recent quarters.

For the year, AFLAC earned $6.16 per share in operating earnings. That matched exactly what they made in 2014. However, the weak yen knocked off 46 cents per share from the 2015 number.

In currency neutral terms, AFLAC grew its operating EPS by 7.5% last year. The original guidance was for 2% to 7%. In July, they raised it to 4% to 7%.

AFLAC’s guidance for 2016 is the same as it was before:

“As we look to 2016, our guidance remains unchanged since our December outlook call. Our objective is to produce stable operating earnings per diluted share of $6.17 to $6.41, assuming the average exchange rate in 2015 of 120.99 yen to the dollar. I would remind you that with volatile financial markets and interest rates at significantly depressed levels, it is difficult to safely invest cash flows at attractive yields. Additionally, 2016 benefit ratios in both the U.S. and Japan anticipate continued favorable experience. As always, we are working very hard to achieve our earnings-per-share objective while also ensuring we deliver on our promise to policyholders.”

Posted by on February 1st, 2016 at 4:27 pm


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