AFLAC (AFL) vs CNO Financial Group (CNO)
Head-to-head comparison of performance, valuation, growth, profitability and dividends. Prices delayed 15 minutes; data as of Oct 8, 2026.
Summary
CNO Financial Group (CNO) has outperformed AFLAC (AFL) over the past year, gaining 33.1% versus a loss of 0.2%. Over five years, CNO leads with a +105.9% price change compared with +103.0% for AFL. AFLAC is the larger company by market cap ($56.52 billion vs $4.90 billion), about 11.5 times the size, while CNO Financial Group is growing revenue faster (+0.9% vs -9.3%).
On valuation, CNO Financial Group trades at a lower forward P/E (10.5x vs 14.9x for AFLAC). AFLAC offers the higher dividend yield (2.11% vs 1.30%). AFLAC converts more of its revenue into profit, with a net margin of 21.2% versus 5.1%.
Summary generated from market data by MetaCap's automated system. Methodology
Relative performance
Percent change in share price from the first common trading day shown; excludes dividends.
Head-to-head
| Metric | AFL | CNO |
|---|---|---|
| Share price | $112.74 | $52.99 |
| Market cap | $56.52B | $4.90B |
| 1-day change | -0.78% | -1.94% |
| YTD return | +2.24% | +24.77% |
| 1-year return | -0.17% | +33.07% |
| 5-year return | +102.95% | +105.95% |
| P/E ratio (TTM) | 12.21 | 18.72 |
| Forward P/E | 14.88 | 10.54 |
| EPS (TTM) | $9.23 | $2.83 |
| Dividend yield | 2.11% | 1.30% |
| Annual dividend | $2.38 | $0.69 |
| Revenue (latest FY) | $17.16B | $4.49B |
| Revenue growth (YoY) | -9.31% | +0.85% |
| Net income (latest FY) | $3.65B | $229.30M |
| Operating margin | — | 12.33% |
| Net margin | 21.24% | 5.11% |
| 52-week high | $130.22 | $57.59 |
| 52-week low | $105.43 | $38.22 |
| Distance from 52-week high | -13.42% | -7.99% |
| Analyst consensus | hold | none |
| Avg. price target upside | +4.78% | +1.43% |
| Average volume | 2.07M | 871.38K |
| Shares outstanding | 501.34M | 92.52M |
| Employees | 12,716 | 3,200 |
| Sector | Finance | Financial Services |
| Industry | Accident &Health Insurance | Insurance - Life |
Highlighted cells mark the higher value for growth, returns, margins and yield, and the lower value for P/E ratios. Highlighting is a mechanical comparison, not a recommendation.
Key differences
- AFLAC is about 11.5 times larger than CNO Financial Group by market value ($56.52B vs $4.90B).
- CNO has outperformed AFL by 33.2 percentage points over the past year.
- CNO Financial Group trades at a higher earnings multiple (18.7x vs 12.2x trailing P/E).
- AFLAC is more profitable, keeping 21.2 cents of every revenue dollar as net income versus 5.1 cents for CNO Financial Group.
- CNO Financial Group grew revenue faster in its latest fiscal year (+0.85% vs -9.31%).
- The two companies sit in different sectors: AFLAC in Finance and CNO Financial Group in Financial Services.
About AFLAC
AFL stock →Aflac Incorporated, through its subsidiaries, provides supplemental health and life insurance products. It operates in two segments, Aflac Japan and Aflac U.S.
Finance · Accident &Health Insurance · 12,716 employees
About CNO Financial Group
CNO stock →CNO Financial Group, Inc., through its subsidiaries, develops, markets, and administers health insurance, annuity, individual life insurance and other insurance products, and financial services for middle-income pre-retiree and retired Americans in the United States. It offers Medicare supplement, supplemental health, and long-term care insurance policies; life insurance; and annuities, as well as Medicare advantage plans to individual consumers through phone, virtually, online, and face-to-face with agents.
Financial Services · Insurance - Life · 3,200 employees
AFL vs CNO FAQ
Which is bigger, AFLAC or CNO Financial Group?
AFLAC (AFL) is larger, with a market capitalization of $56.52B compared with $4.90B for CNO Financial Group (CNO).
Which stock has performed better over the past year, AFL or CNO?
CNO returned +33.07% over the past 12 months, compared with -0.17% for AFL (price return, excluding dividends). Past performance does not predict future results.
Which has the lower P/E ratio, AFL or CNO?
AFL has the lower trailing P/E at 12.2, versus 18.7 for CNO. A lower P/E is not by itself a sign of a better investment; it can reflect slower expected growth or higher risk.
Which pays a higher dividend, AFLAC or CNO Financial Group?
AFLAC has the higher yield at 2.11%, compared with 1.30% for CNO Financial Group.
Are AFLAC and CNO Financial Group in the same industry?
No. AFLAC is in the Finance sector, while CNO Financial Group is in Financial Services.