Is Aflac Headed for a Breakout? A resistance line has formed in the chart of Aflac Inc. (AFL). The stock has approached this line a few times since the summer. If it finally breaks through, a...
By Christian Tharp •
This story originally appeared on StockNews
A resistance line has formed in the chart of Aflac Inc. (AFL). The stock has approached this line a few times since the summer. If it finally breaks through, a breakout is expected. Read more to learn how to profit from this trade.
Aflac Inc. (AFL) offers supplemental health insurance and life insurance in the two largest insurance markets in the world, the U.S. and Japan. In addition to its cancer policies, the company has broadened its product offerings to include accidents, disability, and long-term-care insurance.
The company's U.S segment is set up for growth due to its buyout of Argus Dental and Vision as well as Zurich North America's U.S. Corporate Life and Pensions business. AFL should also benefit from a strong product pipeline this year and cost-cutting initiatives.
AFL's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.2 indicates it is on solid financial footing. The company has grown earnings an average of 14.4% per year over the past five years, but earnings are down 7.1% over the past year. However, analysts expect earnings to rise 18.7% year over year in the current quarter.
The stock looks undervalued right now with a forward P/E of 10.68. AFL was showing bullish momentum from November of last year into June of this year. However, performance has been mixed since, as shown in the chart below.
Take a look at the 1-year chart of AFL below with added notations:
AFL was trending higher since going into the summer but eventually started to struggle to get past the $57.50 level (blue), which is also the 52-week high. That mark has been tested as resistance multiple times over the past several months.
Click Here to Read the Greatest Trading Book Ever Written
Now that AFL has turned higher, the stock could be set to hit new highs in the coming weeks. The ideal long position on the stock would be on a breakout above the $57.50 level, with a protective stop placed below the entry point.
Want to Discover More Great Trades?
What is better than finding the 1 attractive stock in this article?
Discovering 5 timely trades...like the ones in this new special report. Click below to claim your free copy now!
AFL shares fell $56.33 (-100.00%) in premarket trading Friday. Year-to-date, AFL has gained 29.06%, versus a 25.61% rise in the benchmark S&P 500 index during the same period.
About the Author: Christian Tharp
I am an expert stock market coach having helped over 4000 beginner and advanced traders & investors from around the world take control of their financial futures. I also write stock market related articles for the Adam Mesh Trading Group and Yolo Publishing.
The post Is Aflac Headed for a Breakout? appeared first on StockNews.com
