Morgan Stanley has revised its price target for Aflac (AFL, Financial), a major player in the life insurance sector, lowering it from $105 to $100. The financial services firm maintained an Equal Weight rating on Aflac's shares, indicating a neutral stance.
In an overview of the sector, the analyst highlighted a downward adjustment in earnings per share (EPS) estimates across the board. For the first quarter, the average EPS forecast dropped by 3%, while projections for 2025 were cut by 4%. These reductions reflect varying challenges faced by different companies within the life insurance industry.
Companies with a focus on underwriting, which are somewhat insulated from stock market volatility, also saw revised estimates. Although these underwriting-focused firms typically experience less impact from market fluctuations, Morgan Stanley noted a general lowering of predictions as these companies brace for a potentially tougher operating environment.
