Aflac Incorporated (NYSE: AFL) today reported its second quarter results.

Total revenues were $5.1 billion in the second quarter of 2024, compared with $5.2 billion in the second quarter of 2023. Net earnings were $1.8 billion, or $3.10 per diluted share, compared with $1.6 billion, or $2.71 per diluted share a year ago.

Net earnings in the second quarter of 2024 included net investment gains of $696 million, or $1.23 per diluted share, compared with net investment gains of $555 million, or $0.92 per diluted share a year ago. These net investment gains were driven by net gains of $649 million on certain derivatives and foreign currency activities; net gains from sales and redemptions of $55 million; and an $11 million gain from an increase in the fair value of equity securities, offset by a $19 million net increase in credit losses.

Adjusted earnings* in the second quarter were $1.0 billion, compared with $954 million in the second quarter of 2023, reflecting an increase of 8.5%. Adjusted earnings per diluted share* increased 15.8% to $1.83 in the quarter. Variable investment income ran nearly $1 million above the company's long-term return expectations. Net investment income included $20 million, or $0.03 per share, from a make-whole call of a security in the Japan segment. The weaker yen/dollar exchange rate negatively impacted adjusted earnings per share by $0.07.

The average yen/dollar exchange rate in the second quarter of 2024 was 155.70, or 11.7% weaker than the average rate of 137.53 in the second quarter of 2023. For the first six months, the average exchange rate was 152.30, or 11.4% weaker than the rate of 134.97 a year ago.

Shareholders' equity was $26.0 billion, or $46.40 per share, at June 30, 2024, compared with $20.4 billion, or $34.30 per share, at June 30, 2023. Shareholders' equity at the end of the second quarter included a cumulative increase of $1.4 billion for the effect of the change in discount rate assumptions on insurance reserves, compared with a corresponding cumulative decrease of $5.1 billion at June 30, 2023 and a net unrealized gain on investment securities and derivatives of $379 million, compared with a net unrealized gain of $2.0 billion at June 30, 2023. Shareholders' equity at the end of the second quarter also included an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $5.1 billion, compared with an unrealized foreign currency translation loss of $4.2 billion at June 30, 2023. The annualized return on average shareholders' equity in the second quarter was 28.3%.

For the first six months of 2024, total revenues were up 6.0% to $10.6 billion, compared with $10.0 billion in the first half of 2023. Net earnings were $3.6 billion, or $6.35 per diluted share, compared with $2.8 billion, or $4.64 per diluted share, for the first six months of 2023. Adjusted earnings for the first half of 2024 were $2.0 billion, or $3.49 per diluted share, compared with $1.9 billion, or $3.13 per diluted share, in 2023. Excluding the negative impact of $0.14 per share from the weaker yen/dollar exchange rate, adjusted earnings per diluted share increased 16.0% to $3.63 for the first six months of 2024.

Shareholders' equity excluding AOCI (or adjusted book value*) was $29.3 billion, or $52.26 per share at June 30, 2024, compared with $27.8 billion, or $46.61 per share, at June 30, 2023. The annualized adjusted return on equity excluding foreign currency impact* in the second quarter was 14.8%.

AFLAC JAPAN

In yen terms, Aflac Japan's net earned premiums were ¥267.3 billion for the quarter, or 5.7% lower than a year ago, mainly due to the prior year reinsurance transactions and limited-pay policies reaching paid-up status. Adjusted net investment income increased 28.4% to ¥113.0 billion, mainly due to the favorable impact of the weakening yen on U.S. dollar investments, lower hedge costs, higher variable investment income and call income. Total adjusted revenues in yen increased 2.3% to ¥381.2 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings in yen for the quarter increased 18.6% on a reported basis to ¥134.5 billion, primarily due to higher net investment income, as well as lower benefits and expenses during the quarter, partially offset by lower net earned premiums. Pretax adjusted earnings increased 10.6% on a currency-neutral basis. The pretax adjusted profit margin for the Japan segment increased to 35.3%, compared with 30.4% a year ago.

For the first six months, net earned premiums in yen were ¥537.2 billion, or 5.8% lower than a year ago. Adjusted net investment income increased 24.1% to ¥209.5 billion. Total adjusted revenues in yen were up 1.0% to ¥748.8 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were ¥255.1 billion, or 17.2% higher than a year ago.

In dollar terms, net earned premiums decreased 16.9% to $1.7 billion in the second quarter. Adjusted net investment income increased 13.8% to $725 million. Total adjusted revenues declined by 9.7% to $2.4 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings increased 5.1% to $864 million.

For the first six months, net earned premiums in dollars were $3.5 billion, or 16.6% lower than a year ago. Adjusted net investment income increased 10.1% to $1.4 billion. Total adjusted revenues were down 10.6% to $4.9 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were $1.7 billion, or 4.0% higher than a year ago.

For the quarter, total new annualized premium sales (sales) increased 4.5% to ¥16.8 billion, or $108 million, primarily reflecting sales of the new first sector product. For the first six months, total new sales increased 0.1% to ¥29.4 billion, or $192 million.

AFLAC U.S.

Aflac U.S. net earned premiums increased 2.1% to $1.5 billion in the second quarter compared to the prior year, reflecting continued improvement in persistency. Adjusted net investment income increased 7.4% to $218 million, largely due to a shift to higher-yielding fixed-income investments and higher variable investment income. Total adjusted revenues were up 1.3% to $1.7 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were $383 million, 3.8% higher than a year ago, primarily due to higher revenue and lower expenses offset by higher benefits. The pretax adjusted profit margin for the U.S. segment was 22.7%, compared with 22.2% a year ago.

For the first six months, net earned premiums increased 2.7% to $2.9 billion. Adjusted net investment income increased 6.0% to $424 million. Total adjusted revenues were up 1.8% to $3.4 billion. Pretax adjusted earnings were $739 million, or 2.5% higher than a year ago.

Aflac U.S. sales increased 2.0% in the quarter to $331 million, largely driven by premier group life, absence management and disability products as well as improved sales in individual voluntary benefits. For the first half of the year, total new sales decreased 1.6% to $629 million.

CORPORATE AND OTHER

For the quarter, total adjusted revenues increased 77.9% to $249 million compared to the prior year primarily due to reinsurance transactions in the fourth quarter of 2023 resulting in an increase to both total net earned premiums and adjusted net investment income, which also increased due to a lower volume of tax credit investments. Total benefits and adjusted expenses increased $35 million compared to the prior year primarily as a result of the increased reinsurance activity. Pretax adjusted earnings were a gain of $23 million, compared with a loss of $52 million a year ago.

For the first six months, total adjusted revenues increased 85.4% to $497 million. Pretax adjusted earnings were a gain of $21 million, compared with a loss of $58 million a year ago.

DIVIDEND AND CAPITAL RETURNED TO SHAREHOLDERS

The board of directors declared the third quarter dividend of $0.50 per share, payable on September 2, 2024 to shareholders of record at the close of business on August 21, 2024.

In the second quarter, Aflac Incorporated deployed $800 million in capital to repurchase 9.3 million of its common shares. At the end of June 2024, the company had 59.2 million remaining shares authorized for repurchase.

OUTLOOK

Commenting on the company's results, Aflac Incorporated Chairman, Chief Executive Officer and President Daniel P. Amos stated: "Aflac delivered very solid earnings for the quarter and the first six months. We have continued to actively concentrate on generating profitable growth in the U.S. and Japan with new products and distribution strategies. We believe our strategy will continue to create long-term value for shareholders. 

"Looking at our operations in Japan, we have continued to focus on third sector products as well as introducing these policies to new and younger customers. While still in the very early stages, we were pleased with the initial introduction of our latest life insurance product that offers an asset formation component and a nursing care option. This drove the 4.5% sales increase for the quarter and put us back on track for the year, along with sales campaigns celebrating our 50 years in Japan. This approach is in line with our strategy of connecting with younger customers to meet their financial protection needs through different life stages.

"In the U.S., we achieved 2% sales growth for the quarter, which is a welcome result as we enter the second half of the year, which tends to be the heaviest enrollment period. At the same time, we continue to focus on more profitable growth by exercising a stronger underwriting discipline. As a result, we are seeing improvement in both net earned premiums and persistency. We continue our prudent approach to expense management and maintaining a strong pretax margin.

"We continue to generate strong capital and cash flows while maintaining our commitment to prudent liquidity and capital management. We have been very pleased with our investment portfolio's performance, as it continues to produce strong net investment income with minimal losses and impairments. We treasure our track record of 41 consecutive years of dividend growth and remain committed to extending it, supported by our financial strength. In the quarter, we repurchased a record $800 million in shares and intend to continue our balanced approach of investing in growth and driving long-term operating efficiencies."

*See Non-U.S. GAAP Financial Measures section for an explanation of foreign exchange and its impact on the financial statements and definitions of the non-U.S. GAAP financial measures used in this earnings release, as well as a reconciliation of such non-U.S. GAAP financial measures to the most comparable U.S. GAAP financial measures.