Benzinga | Aug 12, 2020 05:48AM EDT

Earlier: Aflac Board of Directors Increases Shares Authorized for Repurchase by 100M Shares

Aflac Incorporated (NYSE:AFL) announced that its board of directors has authorized the purchase of up to 100 million shares of its common stock. This authorization is in addition to the 21.9 million shares as of June 30, 2020, that remained under the August 8, 2017 authorization, bringing the total number of shares available for purchase to approximately 121.9 million. The company anticipates that the repurchase of shares will be conducted from time to time in open market or negotiated transactions, depending on market conditions.

Commenting on the news, Aflac Chairman and Chief Executive Officer Daniel P. Amos stated: "As an insurance company, our primary responsibility is to fulfill the promises we make to our policyholders. At the same time, we are listening to our shareholders and understand the importance of prudent liquidity and capital management. This includes pursuing a tactical approach to capital allocation as we remain in the market repurchasing shares and extending our 37 consecutive years of annual dividend increases. With this approach, we look to emerge from this period in a continued position of strength and leadership."