Earnings Preview: AFLAC Inc.

AFLAC Inc. (AFL) is expected to report Q3 earnings Thursday after the closing bell with a conference call scheduled for 9:00 am on October 24.

Guidance

Analysts are looking for EPS of $1.00 on revenue of $4.33B. The consensus range for EPS is 97c to $1.02, while the consensus range for revenue is $4.26B to $4.46B, according to First Call.

AFLAC CEO Daniel Amos recently said that the company may bid for AIG's (AIG) Alico Japan life insurance unit, The Japan Times reported. Investors will want to know if AFLAC still intends to buy the unit, and they will want to hear how buying Alico Japan is expected to benefit AFLAC.

Analyst Views

Sterne Agee recently initiated AFLAC with a Sell rating and $33 target. AFLAC, which has raised its dividend 17% year to date, was recently identified as having one of the more generous dividends in the financial sector by Rick Helm, the manager of Cohen & Steers Dividend Value Fund. Helm was quoted by Barron's.