Aflac vs AT&T Which Should You Buy?

Aflac and AT&T are two well-known companies in the stock market, each with its own unique strengths and weaknesses. Aflac is a major player in the insurance industry, known for its supplemental health and life insurance products. On the other hand, AT&T is a telecommunications giant, offering a wide range of services including wireless, internet, and pay-TV. Both stocks have their own set of risks and opportunities, making them appealing options for different types of investors.

Aflac or AT&T?

When comparing Aflac and AT&T, different investors may prioritize various metrics based on their investment strategies and goals. So, ask yourself what type of investor you are. This will guide you in determining which metrics are most important for your investment decision between Aflac and AT&T.

Dividend Investors:

Dividend investors look for stable and growing income streams, using dividend metrics to assess potential investments. A company's dividend yield essentially measures the size of its dividend relative to the total market value of the company. Aflac has a dividend yield of 1.74%, while AT&T has a dividend yield of 6.22%. Beyond the yield itself, considering the growth and sustainability of these dividends is also crucial. Aflac reports a 5-year dividend growth of 5.26% year and a payout ratio of 27.72%. On the other hand, AT&T reports a 5-year dividend growth of -11.11% year and a payout ratio of 90.45%.

Value Investors:

Value investors focus on financial metrics to determine a stock's intrinsic value compared to its market value. The Price-to-Earnings (P/E) Ratio links stock price to a company's earnings per share, with Aflac P/E ratio at 16.17 and AT&T's P/E ratio at 17.74. Another crucial valuation metric is the Price-to-Book (P/B) Ratio, which compares stock price with book value per share. Aflac P/B ratio is 2.48 while AT&T's P/B ratio is 1.57.

Growth Investors:

Growth investors prioritize metrics indicative of a company's expansion potential. Focusing on top-line growth, Aflac has seen a 5-year revenue growth of 0.11%, while AT&T's is -0.32%. Return on Equity (ROE) measures how effectively a company uses equity investment to generate earnings, with Aflac's ROE at 15.81% and AT&T's ROE at 8.72%.

Retail Investors:

Retail investors often consider stock affordability and company familiarity. For example, day low prices are $108.22 for Aflac and $22.25 for AT&T. Over the past year, Aflac's prices ranged from $75.08 to $115.50, with a yearly change of 53.84%. AT&T's prices fluctuated between $15.51 and $22.73, with a yearly change of 46.55%. Brand recognition also plays a role, as familiarity with a company can influence investment decisions.