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AFL vs CNO
Which Stock Would AI Choose? Aflac Incorporated (AFL) vs. CNO Financial Group (CNO) Stock Comparison
Key Takeaways
- AFL operates at significantly larger scale with a market capitalization exceeding $64 billion, compared to CNO's approximately $5 billion.
- CNO has delivered stronger year-to-date returns, outperforming AFL through late July 2026 amid focused U.S. market positioning.
- AFL provides higher dividend yield and greater geographic diversification through its substantial Japanese operations.
- CNO exhibits higher financial leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 157%, versus AFL's more conservative 43%.
- Both companies face typical insurance-sector pressures from interest-rate sensitivity and investment yields, with recent market activity reflecting these dynamics.
- Relative performance highlights trade-offs between AFL's stability and scale versus CNO's narrower focus and recent momentum.
Introduction
This comparison examines AFL and CNO, two publicly traded companies in the life and health insurance sector. The analysis focuses on business models, recent stock performance, financial metrics, and market positioning to assist investors and traders evaluating relative opportunities in the current environment. Institutional and retail participants seeking data-driven insights into insurance equities may find the side-by-side review particularly relevant for portfolio allocation considerations.
AFL Overview and Recent Performance
AFL, or Aflac Incorporated, is a major provider of supplemental health and life insurance products with significant operations in the United States and Japan. The company maintains a large market capitalization and emphasizes consistent dividend growth. In recent weeks, AFL stock has shown steady but measured performance amid broader market conditions, supported by its diversified revenue streams and conservative balance sheet. Sentiment has been influenced by stable claims experience and investment portfolio management, contributing to its positioning as a defensive holding in the insurance space.
CNO Overview and Recent Performance
CNO, or CNO Financial Group, specializes in supplemental health, life, and annuity products targeted primarily at the U.S. middle-income market. The company operates on a smaller scale but has recorded stronger year-to-date returns compared to peers through late July 2026. Recent market activity reflects positive momentum driven by sales growth and earnings trajectory, though higher leverage introduces additional sensitivity to interest-rate changes and economic conditions.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
AFL and CNO both operate in supplemental insurance but differ markedly in scale and focus. AFL benefits from geographic diversification via Japan exposure and a larger balance sheet, supporting higher dividend yields and lower leverage. CNO concentrates on the domestic middle-income segment, which has contributed to superior recent returns and sales momentum, albeit with elevated debt-to-equity levels. Growth drivers include demographic trends in both cases, while risk factors center on interest-rate environments and claims volatility. Market sentiment has recently favored CNO’s narrower U.S. emphasis, contrasting AFL’s emphasis on stability and income generation.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Based on observable factors such as recent momentum, return consistency, and relative positioning, Tickeron’s AI models currently assign a probabilistic edge to CNO due to stronger year-to-date performance and focused market alignment. AFL remains competitive on stability and yield metrics. Outcomes depend on evolving economic conditions and sector-specific developments.
Disclaimer
The information on this webpage is provided for general informational and educational purposes only and is not intended as investment advice, a recommendation to purchase or sell any security, or an offer or solicitation related to investments. It does not consider your personal financial situation, goals, or risk profile, and all investing carries inherent risks, including the possibility of losing your entire investment. For more details, please review our full disclaimer.
Disclaimers and LimitationsTo compare these two companies we present long-term analysis, their fundamental ratings and make comparative short-term technical analysis which are presented below. The conclusion is AFL is a Hold and CNO is a Hold.
Long-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a long-term outlook for a ticker by using Fundamental Analysis (FA) ratings. The rating of 1 to 100, where 1 is best and 100 is worst, is divided into thirds. The first third (a green rating of 1-33) indicates that the ticker is undervalued; the second third (a grey number between 34 and 66) means that the ticker is valued fairly; and the last third (red number of 67 to 100) reflects that the ticker is undervalued. We use an FA Score to show how many ratings show the ticker to be undervalued (green) or overvalued (red).
AFL’s FA Score shows that 1 FA rating(s) are green whileCNO’s FA Score has 2 green FA rating(s).
- AFL’s FA Score: 1 green, 4 red.
- CNO’s FA Score: 2 green, 3 red.
Short-Term Analysis
It is best to consider a short-term outlook for a ticker by using Technical Analysis (TA) indicators. We use Odds of Success as the percentage of outcomes which confirm successful trade signals in the past.
If the Odds of Success (the likelihood of the continuation of a trend) for each indicator are greater than 50%, then the generated signal is confirmed. A green percentage from 90% to 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bullish trend. A red percentage from 90% - 51% indicates that the ticker is in a bearish trend. All grey percentages are below 50% and are considered not to confirm the trend signal.
AFL’s TA Score shows that 5 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CNO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AFL’s TA Score: 5 bullish, 5 bearish.
- CNO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AFL (@Life/Health Insurance) experienced а -3.95% price change this week, while CNO (@Life/Health Insurance) price change was -3.18% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Life/Health Insurance industry was -4.09%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was -5.75%, and the average quarterly price growth was -0.29%.
Reported Earning Dates
AFL is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
CNO is expected to report earnings on Nov 04, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Life/Health Insurance (-4.09% weekly)Life insurance companies mainly sell policies that pay a death benefit as a lump sum upon the death of the insured to their beneficiaries. Life insurance policies may be sold as term life, (which guarantees payment of a stated death benefit and expires at the end of a specified term) or permanent /typically whole life (which is more expensive but lasts a lifetime and carries a cash accumulation component). Life insurance firms may also sell long-term disability policies that help to replace the insured individual’s income if they become sick or disabled. Health insurance, on the other hand, helps pay for medical expenses. Anthem, Inc., MetLife, Inc. and Aflac Incorporated are some of the largest U.S. companies in this industry.
| AFL | CNO | AFL / CNO | |
| Capitalization | 58.2B | 4.95B | 1,175% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 6.903 | 27.010 | 26% |
| P/E Ratio | 12.52 | 18.46 | 68% |
| Revenue | 18.3B | 4.51B | 405% |
| Total Cash | N/A | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 7.91B | 4.3B | 184% |
AFL | CNO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 70 | 82 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 62 Fair valued | 50 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 3 | 4 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 70 | 85 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 58 | 43 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 94 | 22 | |
SEASONALITY SCORE 1..100 | 50 | 50 |
Tickeron ratings are formulated such that a rating of 1 designates the most successful stocks in a given industry, while a rating of 100 points to the least successful stocks for that industry.
CNO's Valuation (50) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as AFL (62). This means that CNO’s stock grew similarly to AFL’s over the last 12 months.
AFL's Profit vs Risk Rating (3) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as CNO (4). This means that AFL’s stock grew similarly to CNO’s over the last 12 months.
AFL's SMR Rating (70) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as CNO (85). This means that AFL’s stock grew similarly to CNO’s over the last 12 months.
CNO's Price Growth Rating (43) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as AFL (58). This means that CNO’s stock grew similarly to AFL’s over the last 12 months.
CNO's P/E Growth Rating (22) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is significantly better than the same rating for AFL (94). This means that CNO’s stock grew significantly faster than AFL’s over the last 12 months.
| AFL | CNO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 75% | 3 days ago 61% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 62% | 3 days ago 70% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 38% | 3 days ago 56% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 44% | 3 days ago 57% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 38% | 3 days ago 48% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 31% | 3 days ago 61% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 10 days ago 56% | 10 days ago 63% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 38% | 4 days ago 48% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 77% | 3 days ago 80% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 3 days ago 58% | 3 days ago 66% |
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AFL and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, AFL has been loosely correlated with CNO. These tickers have moved in lockstep 65% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if AFL jumps, then CNO could also see price increases.
CNO and
Correlation & Price change
A.I.dvisor indicates that over the last year, CNO has been loosely correlated with JXN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 62% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is some statistical probability that if CNO jumps, then JXN could also see price increases.