COLUMBUS, Ga., Oct. 23 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- Aflac Incorporated
today reported its third quarter results.
Reflecting a weaker yen to the dollar, total revenues rose 5.1% to $3.9
billion during the third quarter of 2007, compared with $3.7 billion in the
third quarter of 2006. Net earnings were $420 million, or $.85 per diluted
share, compared with $367 million, or $.73 per share, a year ago. Net
earnings included realized investment gains of $1 million, or nil per
diluted share, compared with $7 million, or $.01 per diluted share in the
third quarter of 2006. Net earnings in the third quarter of 2007 also
included a gain of $2 million, or nil per diluted share, from the change in
fair value of the interest rate component of the cross-currency swaps
related to the company's senior notes, as required by SFAS 133. In the
third quarter of 2006, the impact from SFAS 133 reduced net earnings by $3
million, or nil per diluted share.
We believe that an analysis of operating earnings, a non-GAAP financial
measure, is vitally important to an understanding of Aflac's underlying
profitability drivers. We define operating earnings as the profits we
derive from our operations before realized investment gains and losses, the
impact from SFAS 133, and nonrecurring items. Management uses operating
earnings to evaluate the financial performance of Aflac's insurance
operations because realized gains and losses, the impact from SFAS 133, and
nonrecurring items tend to be driven by general economic conditions and
events, and therefore may obscure the underlying fundamentals and trends in
Aflac's insurance operations.
Furthermore, because a significant portion of our business is in Japan,
where our functional currency is the Japanese yen, we believe it is equally
important to understand the impact on operating earnings from translating
yen into dollars. We translate Aflac Japan's yen-denominated income
statement from yen into dollars using an average exchange rate for the
reporting period, and we translate the balance sheet using the exchange
rate at the end of the period. However, except for a limited number of
transactions, we do not actually convert yen into dollars. As a result, we
view foreign currency translation as a financial reporting issue for Aflac
and not as an economic event to our company or shareholders. Because
changes in exchange rates distort the growth rates of our operations, we
also encourage readers of our financial statements to evaluate our
financial performance excluding the impact of foreign currency translation.
The chart at the end of this release presents a comparison of selected
income statement items with and without foreign currency changes to
illustrate the effect of currency translation.
Operating earnings in the third quarter of 2007 were $417 million,
compared with $363 million in the third quarter of 2006. Operating earnings
per diluted share rose 18.1% to $.85, compared with $.72 a year ago.
Although the yen/dollar exchange rate was slightly weaker than a year ago,
it did not have a measurable impact on operating earnings per diluted
share.
For the first nine months of 2007, our results were impacted by the
weaker yen. Total revenues rose 4.1% to $11.4 billion, compared with $10.9
billion in the first nine months of 2006. Net earnings were $1.3 billion,
or $2.53 per diluted share, compared with $1.2 billion, or $2.29 per share,
for the first nine months of 2006. Net earnings for the first nine months
of 2007 included realized investment gains of $18 million, or $.04 per
diluted share, compared with $47 million, or $.10 per share for the first
nine months of 2006. The realized investment gains for the first nine
months of 2006 resulted from a bond-swap program that we completed in
mid-2006. Operating earnings for the first nine months were $1.2 billion,
or $2.49 per diluted share, compared with $1.1 billion, or $2.19 per share,
in 2006. Excluding the negative impact of $.03 per share from the weaker
yen, operating earnings per diluted share rose 15.1% for the first nine
months of 2007.
During the third quarter, we acquired 2.0 million shares of Aflac
stock, bringing the total number of shares purchased in the first nine
months of 2007 to 9.1 million. At the end of September, we had 27.6 million
shares available for purchase under our share repurchase authorization.
AFLAC JAPAN
Aflac Japan premium income in yen rose 4.2% in the third quarter. Net
investment income increased 7.7%. Investment income growth in yen terms was
magnified by the weaker yen/dollar exchange rate because approximately 39%
of Aflac Japan's third quarter investment income was dollar-denominated.
Total revenues were up 4.3%. Reflecting continued improvement in the
benefit ratio, the pretax operating profit margin expanded from 15.4% to
17.2%. As a result, pretax operating earnings in yen advanced 16.7%. For
the first nine months, premium income in yen increased 4.5%, and net
investment income rose 9.1%. Total revenues grew 5.2%, and pretax operating
earnings were up 13.6%.
The average yen/dollar exchange rate in the third quarter of 2007 was
117.88, or 1.5% weaker than the average rate of 116.17 in the third quarter
of 2006. For the first nine months, the average exchange rate was 119.37,
or 3.0% weaker than the rate of 115.82 a year ago. Aflac Japan's growth
rates in dollar terms for both the third quarter and first nine months were
suppressed as a result of the weaker average exchange rates.
Reflecting the weaker yen, premium income in dollars was up 2.8% to
$2.3 billion in the third quarter. Net investment income rose 6.2% to $456
million. Total revenues increased 3.0% to $2.7 billion. Pretax operating
earnings were $468 million, or 15.0% higher than a year ago. For the first
nine months, premium income was $6.7 billion, up 1.4% from a year ago. Net
investment income rose 5.9% to $1.3 billion. Total revenues increased 2.1%
to $8.0 billion. Pretax operating earnings were $1.4 billion, or 10.2%
higher than a year ago.
Aflac Japan continued to generate improved sales results for both the
third quarter and first nine months of 2007. Total new annualized premium
sales rose 2.2% to 27.9 billion yen, or $236 million, in the third quarter.
For the first nine months, total new annualized premium sales were down
4.1% to 84.3 billion yen, or $706 million. Cancer insurance sales were
again very strong, rising 21.8% over the third quarter of 2006. We believe
cancer insurance sales benefited from our agents' focus on selling the
product in advance of a scheduled premium rate increase on newly issued
cancer life policies, which occurred on September 2. After several quarters
of significant declines, medical sales in the third quarter were only
slightly lower than a year ago. We believe the improvement in medical sales
reflected a favorable initial response to Gentle EVER, our new medical
product. Gentle EVER, a non-standard medical product, was introduced on
August 1. Our objective remains for Aflac Japan total new annualized
premium sales to be flat to up 4% in the second half of 2007.
AFLAC U.S.
Aflac U.S. premium income increased 10.7% to $993 million in the third
quarter. Net investment income rose 5.4% to $127 million. Total revenues
were up 10.0% to $1.1 billion. Pretax operating earnings were $182 million,
an increase of 12.3%. For the first nine months, premium income rose 10.8%
to $2.9 billion. Net investment income increased 8.0% to $373 million.
Total revenues were up 10.4% to $3.3 billion. Pretax operating earnings
rose 13.9% to $523 million.
Aflac U.S. sales were consistent with our expectations. Total new
annualized premium sales rose 11.0% to $368 million in the third quarter.
Aflac U.S. sales in the third quarter were again led by our
accident/disability product line and cancer expense insurance. In addition,
our hospital indemnity category performed very well, with sales rising
21.1% over the third quarter of 2006. For the nine months, total new
annualized premium sales increased 11.1% to $1.1 billion. As we have
repeatedly discussed, we face a challenging sales comparison in the fourth
quarter of this year. Sales in the fourth quarter of 2006 rose 21.2% due to
the re- enrollment of a large payroll account. Despite that difficult
comparison, we still believe we are well-positioned to achieve our sales
objective of a 6% to 10% increase for the full year.
We were also pleased with our sales force expansion in the quarter. As
expected, recruiting remained lower than a year ago. However, we still
recruited approximately 6,200 new sales associates in the third quarter,
bringing the number of newly recruited sales associates to more than 18,600
for the first nine months of the year. The total number of licensed sales
associates at the end of September rose 5.4% over a year ago. Most
importantly, the number of producing sales associates again increased in
line with our expectations. On an average weekly basis, the number of
producing associates was up 5.0% to approximately 10,700 in the third
quarter. For the first nine months, the number of average weekly producing
associates rose 6.1% over a year ago.
DIVIDEND
The board of directors declared the fourth quarter cash dividend. The
fourth quarter dividend of $.205 per share is payable on December 3, 2007,
to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 16, 2007.
OUTLOOK
Commenting on the company's third quarter results, Chairman and Chief
Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "I am very pleased with Aflac's
performance during the third quarter and for the first nine months of 2007.
Throughout this year, our operations in Japan and the United States have
met or exceeded our expectations.
"Aflac Japan has produced steady revenue growth and expanding profit
margins in 2007. As a result, Aflac Japan continued to generate strong
pretax operating earnings growth. At the same time, we continue to believe
Aflac Japan is building sales momentum, and we remain encouraged about our
sales outlook for the balance of this year and into 2008.
"Aflac U.S. is also performing very well this year. Our persistency has
been steady and our benefit and expense ratios and profit margin have been
in line with our expectations. Our sales results have also been strong
during the first nine months of the year. And we believe our focus on
training and enhancing the capabilities of our distribution will continue
to enhance our future sales activities.
"I remain confident that we will achieve our primary financial goal for
2007 of increasing operating earnings per diluted share by 15% to 16%, or
$3.28 to $3.31, excluding foreign currency translation. Assuming the yen
averages 115 to 120 to the dollar for the remainder of the year, we would
expect to report operating earnings of $3.24 to $3.28 per diluted share for
the full year. For the fourth quarter of 2007, we expect operating earnings
will be in the range of $.75 to $.79 per diluted share. As we look to 2008,
I believe we are also well-positioned to achieve our objective of
increasing operating earnings per diluted share by 13% to 15%, before the
impact of the yen."
For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the
opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting
medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider
of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one
insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in
Japan. Our insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million
people worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of
America's Most Admired Companies for seven consecutive years and in Fortune
magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for nine
consecutive years. Aflac has also been recognized three times by both
Fortune magazine's listing of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and
Working Mother magazine's listing of the 100 Best Companies for Working
Mothers. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York
Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit
aflac.com.
A copy of Aflac's Financial Analyst Briefing (FAB) supplement for the
third quarter of 2007 can be found on the "Investors" page at aflac.com.
Aflac Incorporated will webcast its third quarter conference call via
the "Investors" page of aflac.com at 9:30 a.m. (EDT), Wednesday, October
24.
AFLAC INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT
(UNAUDITED - IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE AND PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 2006 % Change
Total revenues $3,861 $3,672 5.1%
Benefits and claims 2,331 2,291 1.7
Total acquisition and
operating expenses 888 824 7.8
Earnings before income taxes 642 557 15.1
Income taxes 222 190
Net earnings $420 $367 14.4%
Net earnings per share - basic $.86 $.74 16.2%
Net earnings per share - diluted .85 .73 16.4
Shares used to compute earnings
per share (000):
Basic 487,065 494,923 (1.6)%
Diluted 492,819 500,952 (1.6)
Dividends paid per share $.205 $.13 57.7%
AFLAC INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED INCOME STATEMENT
(UNAUDITED - IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE AND PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 2006 % Change
Total revenues $11,376 $10,929 4.1%
Benefits and claims 6,855 6,715 2.1
Total acquisition and
operating expenses 2,608 2,458 6.1
Earnings before income
taxes 1,913 1,756 8.9
Income taxes 662 606
Net earnings $1,251 $1,150 8.8%
Net earnings per
share - basic $2.56 $2.32 10.3%
Net earnings per
share - diluted 2.53 2.29 10.5
Shares used to compute earnings per share (000):
Basic 488,493 496,626 (1.6)%
Diluted 494,555 502,926 (1.7)
Dividends paid per share $.595 $.39 52.6%
AFLAC INCORPORATED AND SUBSIDIARIES CONDENSED BALANCE SHEET
(UNAUDITED - IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR SHARE AMOUNTS)
SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 2006 % Change
Assets:
Total investments and cash $55,073 $50,686 8.7%
Deferred policy acquisition
costs 6,481 5,930 9.3
Other assets 2,022 1,737 16.4
Total assets $63,576 $58,353 9.0%
Liabilities and shareholders' equity:
Policy liabilities $49,335 $44,968 9.7%
Notes payable 1,454 1,439 1.0
Other liabilities 4,336 3,781 14.7
Shareholders' equity 8,451 8,165 3.5
Total liabilities and
shareholders' equity $63,576 $58,353 9.0%
Shares outstanding at
end of period (000) 487,752 494,666 (1.4)%
Prior-year amounts have been adjusted for adoption of SAB 108 as of
January 1, 2006.
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EARNINGS TO NET EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED - IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 2006 % Change
Operating earnings $417 $363 15.0%
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized investment
gains (losses) 1 7
Impact from SFAS 133 2 (3)
Net earnings $420 $367 14.4%
Operating earnings per
diluted share $.85 $.72 18.1%
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized investment
gains (losses) - .01
Impact from SFAS 133 - -
Net earnings per diluted
share $.85 $.73 16.4%
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EARNINGS TO NET EARNINGS
(UNAUDITED - IN MILLIONS, EXCEPT FOR PER-SHARE AMOUNTS)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 2006 % Change
Operating earnings $1,232 $1,103 11.7%
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized investment
gains (losses) 18 47
Impact from SFAS 133 1 -
Net earnings $1,251 $1,150 8.8%
Operating earnings per
diluted share $2.49 $2.19 13.7%
Reconciling items, net of tax:
Realized investment
gains (losses) .04 .10
Impact from SFAS 133 - -
Net earnings per diluted
share $2.53 $2.29 10.5%
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION EFFECT ON OPERATING RESULTS(1)
(SELECTED PERCENTAGE CHANGES, UNAUDITED)
THREE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 Including Excluding
Currency Currency
Changes Changes(2)
Premium income 5.1 % 6.1%
Net investment income 7.9 8.6
Total benefits and expenses 3.3 4.4
Operating earnings 15.0 15.8
Operating earnings per diluted share 18.1 18.1
(1) The numbers in this table are presented on an operating basis, as
previously described.
(2) Amounts excluding currency changes were determined using the same
yen/dollar exchange rate for the current period as the comparable
period in the prior year.
FOREIGN CURRENCY TRANSLATION EFFECT ON OPERATING RESULTS(1)
(SELECTED PERCENTAGE CHANGES, UNAUDITED)
NINE MONTHS ENDED SEPTEMBER 30, 2007 Including Excluding
Currency Currency
Changes Changes(2)
Premium income 4.1 % 6.3%
Net investment income 7.2 8.7
Total benefits and expenses 3.2 5.3
Operating earnings 11.7 13.3
Operating earnings per diluted share 13.7 15.1
(1) The numbers in this table are presented on an operating basis, as
previously described.
(2) Amounts excluding currency changes were determined using the same
yen/dollar exchange rate for the current period as the comparable
period in the prior year.
The Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 provides a "safe
harbor" to encourage companies to provide prospective information, so long
as those informational statements are identified as forward-looking and are
accompanied by meaningful cautionary statements identifying important
factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those
included in the forward-looking statements. We desire to take advantage of
these provisions. This document contains cautionary statements identifying
important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from
those projected herein, and in any other statements made by company
officials in communications with the financial community and contained in
documents filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).
Forward-looking statements are not based on historical information and
relate to future operations, strategies, financial results or other
developments. Furthermore, forward- looking information is subject to
numerous assumptions, risks, and uncertainties. In particular, statements
containing words such as "expect," "anticipate," "believe," "goal,"
"objective," "may," "should," "estimate," "intends," "projects," "will,"
"assumes," "potential," "target," or similar words as well as specific
projections of future results, generally qualify as forward-looking. Aflac
undertakes no obligation to update such forward-looking statements.
We caution readers that the following factors, in addition to other
factors mentioned from time to time could cause actual results to differ
materially from those contemplated by the forward-looking statements:
legislative and regulatory developments; assessments for insurance company
insolvencies; competitive conditions in the United States and Japan; new
product development and customer response to new products and new marketing
initiatives; ability to attract and retain qualified sales associates and
employees; ability to repatriate profits from Japan; changes in U.S. and/or
Japanese tax laws or accounting requirements; credit and other risks
associated with Aflac's investment activities; significant changes in
investment yield rates; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates;
deviations in actual experience from pricing and reserving assumptions
including, but not limited to, morbidity, mortality, persistency, expenses,
and investment yields; level and outcome of litigation; downgrades in the
company's credit rating; changes in rating agency policies or practices;
subsidiary's ability to pay dividends to parent company; ineffectiveness of
hedging strategies; catastrophic events; and general economic conditions in
the United States and Japan.
(Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO )
Analyst and investor contact - Kenneth S. Janke Jr., 800.235.2667 -
option 3, FAX: 706.324.6330, or kjanke@aflac.com
Media contact - Laura Kane, 706.596.3493, FAX: 706.320.2288, or
lkane@aflac.com
SOURCE Aflac Incorporated
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Related links:
http://www.aflac.com
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CONTACT:
Analyst and investors, Kenneth S. Janke Jr.,
+1-800-235-2667 - option 3, Fax: +1-706-324-6330,
kjanke@aflac.com, or Media, Laura Kane, +1-706-596-3493, Fax:
+1-706-320-2288, lkane@aflac.com, both of Aflac
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