AFLAC Inc. Reports Q4 EPS of $.92 vs. $1.35; Revenues $5.3B vs. $5.59B

Aflac AFL Incorporated today reported its fourth quarter results. Total revenues, benefiting from the 8.6% strengthening of the yen to the dollar in the fourth quarter, rose 15.2% to $5.3 billion, compared with $4.6 billion in the fourth quarter of 2009. Net earnings were $437 million, or $.92 per diluted share, compared with $251 million, or $.53 per share, a year ago. Net earnings in the fourth quarter of 2010 included after-tax realized investment losses of $191 million, or $.41 per diluted share, compared with realized investment losses of $307 million, or $.65 per share, a year ago. Securities transactions produced realized investment gains of $27 million, or $.05 per diluted share, in the fourth quarter. Impairments of Allied Irish Banks, Irish Life and Permanent, and Aiful Corporation, combined with several other small security transactions and impairments, totaled $263 million, or $.56 per diluted share