Aflac showed little relationship between MD&A tone and quarterly net income.
Does not remain notable after adjusting for hundreds of tests. Why?
The analysis measures a same-filing relationship, not a forecast. Limitations
Each dot represents one 10-Q filing. Points farther right have more positive MD&A tone. Points higher on the chart had stronger year-over-year net income growth, after extreme percent changes are capped. Upper-right and lower-left points indicate tone and earnings moving in the same direction. How to read this chart
Tone and earnings moved in the same direction in 2 of 4 comparable quarters.
2 / 4 direction agreement
How is agreement calculated?| Spearman ρ (exact) | -0.132 (p=0.639) |
|---|---|
| Pearson r | -0.432 (p=0.108) |
| 95% CI (Pearson) | [-0.77, 0.10] |
| FDR q | 0.332 |
| Sample size (n) | 15 · More established sample |
| Agreement | 2 / 4 (2 / 4) |
Secondary to net income because revenue concepts are less comparable across some industries.
Revenue comparison is not used for this industry because companies report revenue-like concepts differently.
Why?Annual samples are shorter and are not mixed into the default quarterly board.
Tone shown to three decimals so small nonzero values stay visible.
| Date | Form | Tone | Net income YoY | Revenue YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aug 7, 2026 | 10-Q | -0.011 | +37.7% | n/a |
| May 6, 2026 | 10-Q | +0.001 | +3413.8% | n/a |
| Nov 5, 2025 | 10-Q | -0.009 | +1862.4% | n/a |
| Aug 5, 2025 | 10-Q | +0.012 | -65.9% | n/a |
| May 7, 2025 | 10-Q | -0.007 | -98.5% | n/a |
| Nov 1, 2024 | 10-Q | +0.002 | -105.9% | n/a |
| Aug 1, 2024 | 10-Q | +0.057 | +7.4% | n/a |
| May 2, 2024 | 10-Q | +0.037 | +58.2% | n/a |
| Nov 2, 2023 | 10-Q | +0.053 | -1.7% | n/a |
| Aug 2, 2023 | 10-Q | +0.041 | +17.7% | n/a |
| May 1, 2023 | 10-Q | +0.054 | +15.1% | n/a |
| Nov 2, 2022 | 10-Q | +0.034 | +79.7% | n/a |
| Aug 2, 2022 | 10-Q | +0.048 | +25.6% | n/a |
| Apr 29, 2022 | 10-Q | +0.052 | -20.2% | n/a |
| Oct 28, 2021 | 10-Q | +0.020 | -63.8% | n/a |
| Date | Form | Tone | Net income YoY | Revenue YoY |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Feb 25, 2026 | 10-K | +0.061 | -33.0% | n/a |
| Feb 26, 2025 | 10-K | +0.018 | +16.8% | n/a |
| Feb 22, 2024 | 10-K | +0.035 | +10.9% | n/a |
| Feb 24, 2023 | 10-K | -0.044 | -2.9% | n/a |
| Feb 23, 2022 | 10-K | +0.067 | -9.5% | n/a |