Stockchase Opinions

Mike S. Newton, CIM FCSIAflac IncAFLPAST TOP PICKMar 31, 2014

(A Top Pick May 1/13. Up 18.69%.) About 77% of this company’s profits originate from Japan and around November, the Japanese market started turning around a little bit. He got stopped out. You probably revisit this one in May-June.

$63.04

Stock price when the opinion was issued

$114.50

As of Jun 03, 2026. Market Open.

insurance
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HOLD
Global leaders in supplemental health insurance. Phenomenal track record of growth. A few ups and downs this year, but up nicely. Classic, long-term growth stock. If it drops, consider adding. If it goes to new highs, trim a bit.
BUY

Likes consumer stables in the US better. Model price shows 15% upside. He would buy it.

HOLD

An American insurance company, whose major business has been in Japan for decades. Incredibly well-run. It amazes him that a US company has been able to succeed in a different culture for so long. A weaker yen hurts this company, but doesn't think this will have a huge impact on the stock price. Not a cheap stock and they could be running into some short-term earnings issues, which could cause earnings to decline, probably due to currency.

DON'T BUY

80% of revenue comes from Japan. Not the greatest chart. It is below its 200 day moving average. You will have some real resistance at about $62. Met Life (MET-N) would be a better one to look at.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick May 1/13. Up 16.75%.) It reached his target, but the other issue he was having was its huge exposure to Japan. Sold his holdings. Still an attractive name.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick May 1/13. Up 15.54%.) His first attraction was its heavy exposure into Japan. However, when he looked at the earnings again in the fall, every line was in the US and Japan was growing at single digits. They also announced a stock buyback which only amounted to 2%-3% of their float, little bit less than what people expected. Switched from this into Hartford, which is more domestic.

TOP PICK

Provides supplemental health/life insurance in Japan and US. Valuations are quite good. About 80% of their business is from Japan. However, the 20% they have in the US is a real opportunity because corporations are downloading the benefits packages. Anything you want extra and above a very basic benefits package of a large corporation, you are going to have to go to something like this to get it. Yield of 2.55%.

BUY
So much of its business is in Japan and this is the reason for its loss, especially in the insurance business. This is an opportunity to buy a very solid company at 5.5X earnings. Decent dividend yield of 3.5%.
BUY
So much of its business is in Japan and this is the reason for its loss, especially in the insurance business. This is an opportunity to buy a very solid company at 5.5X earnings. Decent dividend yield of 3.5%.
BUY
So much of its business is in Japan and this is the reason for its loss, especially in the insurance business. This is an opportunity to buy a very solid company at 5.5X earnings. Decent dividend yield of 3.5%.
COMMENT
US based insurance company but 80% of revenues come from Japan. Has been swept up in this whole “mark to market” accounting. Big exposure in the UK and what happens if banks get nationalized? Will continue to be quite volatile.
TOP PICK
This is the one financial he continues to believe in. Stock is down about 50% around concerns about portfolios and bonds they own in European banks. He doesn't think there will be defaults on their bonds. Their disability insurance is doing great. 5.2% yield is more secure than most US financials.
BUY
Insurance. Japanese-based. Has been very strong with 15% growth each year. Trades at a multiple below 12. You have to be careful with insurance companies and what they own as asset mix.
TOP PICK
Insurance Company. 75% of their revenues and earnings come from the Japanese Market. Very reasonably priced, and a great play on a declining US dollar. Risk is if US dollar goes up, or Japanese economy rolls over again. Bought at $48.