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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 commands a market capitalization of approximately $59 billion, dwarfing CNO's $4.1 billion, reflecting greater scale in the supplemental health insurance sector.
- AFL exhibits stronger profitability with a 21% profit margin and 13% return on equity (ROE, a measure of how effectively a company uses shareholders' equity to generate profits), compared to CNO's 5% margin and 9% ROE.
- Recent market activity shows AFL with year-to-date gains around 5% and one-month returns near 6%, outpacing CNO's 3% YTD performance.
- AFL offers a higher dividend yield of 2.13% versus CNO's 1.56%, supported by a recent 5.2% quarterly dividend increase.
- CNO carries higher financial leverage with a debt-to-equity ratio of 157%, contrasting AFL's more conservative 43%.
- Both stocks trade in the life/health insurance space, but AFL's lower beta of 0.65 indicates less volatility than CNO's 0.84.
Introduction
Aflac Incorporated (AFL) and CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO) operate in the competitive life and health insurance sector, focusing on supplemental coverage and products for specific demographics. This stock comparison analyzes their relative performance, financial health, and market positioning amid recent economic shifts, including interest rate dynamics affecting insurers. Traders seeking momentum plays and long-term investors prioritizing dividends or stability may find value in evaluating these peers. By contrasting business models, recent trends, and key metrics, this analysis aids informed decisions on stock comparison and relative performance in the current market environment.
AFL Overview and Recent Performance
Aflac Incorporated (AFL) specializes in supplemental health and life insurance products, with significant exposure in the U.S. and Japan markets. Its business benefits from recurring premiums and a focus on cancer and accident coverage. In recent market activity, AFL shares have shown resilience, trading around $115 with year-to-date gains of nearly 5% and one-month appreciation over 5%. Strong fourth-quarter net earnings of $1.4 billion and a 5.2% dividend increase have bolstered investor sentiment. Upcoming first-quarter results, due soon, are anticipated to highlight Japan segment strength amid currency tailwinds. Lower volatility (beta of 0.65) and robust profitability have driven positive relative performance, though valuation metrics like a trailing P/E (price-to-earnings) ratio of 17 warrant monitoring.
CNO Overview and Recent Performance
CNO Financial Group, Inc. (CNO) provides insurance products tailored to middle-income seniors, including annuities, life, and Medicare supplement plans, primarily in the U.S. Recent weeks have seen steady trading around $44, with year-to-date returns of about 3.3%. The company maintains a quarterly dividend of $0.17 per share, supporting yield-focused holders. Financials reflect solid sales growth in recent quarters, but higher leverage poses risks in rising rate scenarios. Market sentiment remains neutral, influenced by broader sector dynamics and analyst targets around $46. While forward P/E of 9.7 suggests growth potential, elevated debt-to-equity and lower margins have tempered momentum compared to peers.
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Head-to-Head Comparison
In business models, AFL leverages international diversification via Japan for growth drivers, contrasting CNO's domestic senior-market focus with annuity emphasis. Recent momentum favors AFL, with superior YTD and monthly gains amid stable premiums. Risk factors diverge: CNO's higher debt/equity (157%) amplifies interest rate sensitivity versus AFL's prudent balance sheet. Sector exposure is similar in life/health insurance, but AFL edges in market sentiment due to dividend growth and scale advantages. Trade-offs include CNO's attractive forward valuation for value hunters against AFL's quality metrics.
Tickeron AI Verdict
Tickeron’s AI models would likely favor AFL in the current environment, given its trend consistency, lower volatility, superior profitability, and positive catalysts like dividend hikes and Japan exposure. CNO trails in relative performance and stability, though its lower forward P/E offers probabilistic upside if leverage improves. This positioning reflects observable market data rather than guarantees.
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 Limitations
To 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 Buy and CNO is a Buy.
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 3 TA indicator(s) are bullish while CNO’s TA Score has 4 bullish TA indicator(s).
- AFL’s TA Score: 3 bullish, 6 bearish.
- CNO’s TA Score: 4 bullish, 4 bearish.
Price Growth
AFL (@Life/Health Insurance) experienced а -0.35% price change this week, while CNO (@Life/Health Insurance) price change was +2.08% for the same time period.
The average weekly price growth across all stocks in the @Life/Health Insurance industry was +0.14%. For the same industry, the average monthly price growth was +2.21%, and the average quarterly price growth was +2.92%.
Reported Earning Dates
AFL is expected to report earnings on Aug 06, 2026.
CNO is expected to report earnings on Aug 03, 2026.
Industries' Descriptions
@Life/Health Insurance (+0.14% 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 | 59.3B | 4.8B | 1,234% |
| EBITDA | N/A | N/A | - |
| Gain YTD | 6.807 | 22.122 | 31% |
| P/E Ratio | 13.32 | 20.75 | 64% |
| Revenue | 18.3B | 4.51B | 405% |
| Total Cash | 71.5B | N/A | - |
| Total Debt | 7.91B | 4.3B | 184% |
AFL | CNO | ||
|---|---|---|---|
OUTLOOK RATING 1..100 | 74 | 36 | |
VALUATION overvalued / fair valued / undervalued 1..100 | 66 Overvalued | 58 Fair valued | |
PROFIT vs RISK RATING 1..100 | 4 | 10 | |
SMR RATING 1..100 | 71 | 89 | |
PRICE GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 51 | 43 | |
P/E GROWTH RATING 1..100 | 70 | 18 | |
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 (58) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as AFL (66). This means that CNO’s stock grew similarly to AFL’s over the last 12 months.
AFL's Profit vs Risk Rating (4) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as CNO (10). This means that AFL’s stock grew similarly to CNO’s over the last 12 months.
AFL's SMR Rating (71) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is in the same range as CNO (89). 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 (51). This means that CNO’s stock grew similarly to AFL’s over the last 12 months.
CNO's P/E Growth Rating (18) in the Life Or Health Insurance industry is somewhat better than the same rating for AFL (70). This means that CNO’s stock grew somewhat faster than AFL’s over the last 12 months.
| AFL | CNO | |
|---|---|---|
| RSI ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 32% | 2 days ago 64% |
| Stochastic ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 47% | 2 days ago 48% |
| Momentum ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 44% | 2 days ago 62% |
| MACD ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 36% | 2 days ago 70% |
| TrendWeek ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 39% | 2 days ago 61% |
| TrendMonth ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 33% | 2 days ago 60% |
| Advances ODDS (%) | 14 days ago 56% | 8 days ago 62% |
| Declines ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 38% | 26 days ago 50% |
| BollingerBands ODDS (%) | 6 days ago 57% | 2 days ago 67% |
| Aroon ODDS (%) | 2 days ago 61% | 2 days ago 58% |
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| 1 Day | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| ETFs / NAME | Price $ | Chg $ | Chg % |
| DWUS | 63.93 | 0.53 | +0.83% |
| AdvisorShares DW FSM US Core ETF | |||
| VICE | 33.13 | 0.22 | +0.68% |
| AdvisorShares Vice ETF | |||
| GRNJ | 32.04 | 0.19 | +0.60% |
| Fundstrat Granny Shots US Small & Mid Cap ETF | |||
| VPL | 120.73 | 0.38 | +0.32% |
| Vanguard FTSE Pacific ETF | |||
| FIIG | 20.75 | N/A | N/A |
| First Trust Intermediate DurInvGrdCrpETF | |||
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 closely correlated with JXN. These tickers have moved in lockstep 68% of the time. This A.I.-generated data suggests there is a high statistical probability that if CNO jumps, then JXN could also see price increases.