Aflac Q3 Profit Tops Estimates - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Aflac Incorporated (AFL) reported third-quarter net earnings of $706 million, or $1.56 per share, compared to $702 million, or $1.50 per share, a year ago. Operating earnings in the third quarter were $685 million, or $1.51 per share.

On average, 19 analysts polled by Thomson Reuters expected the company to report profit per share of $1.43 for the quarter. Analysts' estimates typically exclude special items.

Total revenues fell 2.5% to $5.74 billion from $5.89 billion in the third quarter of 2013. Analysts expected revenue of $5.72 billion for the quarter.

The board of Aflac announced a 5.4% increase in the fourth quarter cash dividend. The fourth quarter dividend of $0.39 per share is payable on December 1, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on November 19, 2014.

"we continue to expect operating earnings per diluted share will increase 3% to 4% for 2014, excluding the impact of the yen. If we achieve that rate of growth and the yen averages 105 to 110 for the last three months of the year, we would expect reported operating earnings for the fourth quarter to be in the range of $1.28 to $1.37 per share. Under that same scenario, we would expect full year operating earnings of $6.14 to $6.23 per diluted share," said CEO Daniel Amos.

Analysts expect the company to report fourth-quarter earnings per share of $1.39. Analysts expect the company to report full year earnings per share of $6.17.