Just as your pulse is checked during a routine physical, free cash flow is used as an indicator of a company's health. It equals the cash brought in from operations minus the money needed to pay the bills. Think about leftover money in your checking account after you pay this month's bills.

Investors and analysts see this leftover money as a gauge of a company's ability to perform. It is available for transactions such as handing out dividends and working on new products.

Some argue free cash flow is wrongly overshadowed by the emphasis often placed on earnings. Earnings numbers can be manipulated and don't always tell the whole story -- and earnings don't mean much if there's nothing left over after a company pays its expenses. Even if you bring in a six-figure salary, but no money left after paying the bills, are you in great financial shape?

You don't have to be Einstein to figure out free cash flow. To calculate the number, subtract the company's expenditures and dividends from its operating cash flow.

If the free cash flow is written in red ink, it doesn't necessarily signal curtains. This is common for young companies looking to grow. It also could be a result of heavy investments, which in the long run could be worth a standing ovation.

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Sunday, July 06, 2008

Aflac Honors Sunshine State Standouts at Tropicana Field

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Comtex

COLUMBUS, Ga., July 6, 2008 /PRNewswire via COMTEX/ ----Aflac announced today during an on-field presentation held at Tropicana Field that INF Scooter Gennett (Sarasota HS) of Sarasota, Fla.; INF/RHP Mychal Givens (Plant HS) of Tampa, Fla.; C/RHP Austin Maddox (Eagle's View Academy) of Jacksonville, Fla.; INF/OF LeVon Washington (Gainesville HS) of Gainesville, Fla.; and C/INF Michael Zunino (Mariner HS) of Cape Coral, Fla. have been selected to the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game roster. The five stars were honored by Hall of Famer Ozzie Smith and Tampa Bay relief pitcher Dan Wheeler, who presented them with their official team jerseys.

The premiere high school All-American game in the country, the Aflac All-American Game will take place Saturday, Aug. 9 in Dodger Stadium and will be broadcast live on FOX Sports Net at noon Pacific Time.

"We are thrilled to have such a great group of future stars added to the Aflac All-American roster," said Al Johnson, Vice President for Marketing Services for Aflac. "I am certain the kids are as excited we are to take this game to the next level by hosting it at historic Dodger Stadium."

The annual Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game showcases 38 of the nation's top high school players in an East versus West matchup following their junior year. Aflac All-Americans are chosen by the experts at our official selection partner, Perfect Game USA, and receive the benefit from the game's relationship with media partner Baseball America, baseball's most influential magazine.

As part of Aflac's ongoing commitment to the fight against childhood cancer, all game proceeds from the 2008 Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game will benefit ThinkCure, the official charity of the Dodgers, which supports critical cancer research at City of Hope and Childrens Hospital of Los Angeles. Since 2005, the game has generated nearly $525,000 for charity.

Hall of Fame shortstop Ozzie Smith will return as this year's honorary chairman, and in addition to promoting the game, will be on-site in Los Angeles for game week activities. This is the second consecutive year that Smith has served as honorary chairman. Past honorary chairmen have included Hall of Famers Reggie Jackson (2006), Cal Ripken (2004-05) and Stan Musial (2003).

The Aflac All-American High School Baseball Game is considered the country's marquee prep All-American event. All participants must have just completed their junior year of high school, be in good academic standing and display redeeming qualities off the field that embody the ideals of the sport of baseball, including discipline, determination and hard work.

For more information and tour stop photographs, visit www.aflacallamerican.com .

About Aflac

For more than 50 years, Aflac products have given policyholders the opportunity to direct cash where it is needed most when a life-interrupting medical event causes financial challenges. Aflac is the number one provider of guaranteed-renewable insurance in the United States and the number one insurance company in terms of individual insurance policies in force in Japan. Our insurance products provide protection to more than 40 million people worldwide. Aflac has been included in Fortune magazine's listing of America's Most Admired Companies for seven years and in Fortune magazine's list of the 100 Best Companies to Work For in America for nine consecutive years. Aflac has also been recognized three times by both Fortune magazine's listing of the Top 50 Employers for Minorities and Working Mother magazine's listing of the 100 Best Companies for Working Mothers. Aflac Incorporated is a Fortune 500 company listed on the New York Stock Exchange under the symbol AFL. To find out more about Aflac, visit aflac.com .

 (Logo: http://www.newscom.com/cgi-bin/prnh/20041202/CLTH019LOGO ) Media Contacts: Tim Turner Matthew
   Freeman Aflac Edelman 706-243-5594 404-832-7714 trturner@aflac.com matthew.freeman@edelman.com

SOURCE Aflac

http://www.aflac.com

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