Japan Post Holdings sells $1.61m Aflac (NYSE:AFL) shares

Japan Post Holdings Co., Ltd., a prominent 10% shareholder in AFLAC INC (NYSE:AFL), sold 14,000 shares on September 11, 2026, generating roughly $1.61 million in proceeds. The transaction occurred at weighted average prices of $115.12 to $115.41 per share, slightly lower than the current stock price of $116.68. The insurance behemoth, boasting a market capitalization of $58.7 billion, has a remarkable track record of raising its dividend for 42 consecutive years, as per InvestingPro data.

The shares were divided into two distinct blocks: 13,173 shares sold at a weighted average price of $115.12, and 827 shares at a weighted average price of $115.41. Following these sales, Japan Post Holdings indirectly owns 50,598,190 shares of AFLAC INC common stock, held through J&A Alliance Holdings Corporation as trustee for the J&A Alliance Trust.

Japan Post is the sole settlor and beneficiary of this Trust, disclaiming beneficial ownership except for its financial interest. Meanwhile, Aflac reported mixed second-quarter results for 2026, with adjusted earnings per share at $1.75, below the anticipated $1.78, while revenue narrowly surpassed forecasts at $4.12 billion versus the estimated $4.11 billion.

Investors seem to have prioritized the earnings miss and a cautious outlook for U.S. premium growth, despite the modest revenue beat. Notably, Wolfe Research initiated coverage on Aflac with an underperform rating and set a price target of $103.00, expressing concerns about the company's operations in Japan and a slowdown in its core third-sector engine.

These developments underscore a blend of financial performance and analyst perspectives on Aflac's trajectory.