Cormark Forecasts Increased Earnings for Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC - Free Report) NYSE: MFC - Equities research analysts at Cormark lifted their FY2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Manulife Financial in a note issued to investors on Thursday, November 7th. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now anticipates that the financial services provider will post earnings of $4.05 per share for the year, up from their previous forecast of $3.99. The consensus estimate for Manulife Financial's current full-year earnings is $3.61 per share.

Several other research firms have also issued reports on MFC. Barclays set a C$39.00 price target on Manulife Financial and gave the company an "equal weight" rating in a report on Thursday, September 5th. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on Manulife Financial from C$42.00 to C$47.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, October 16th. Dbs Bank raised Manulife Financial to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 8th. National Bankshares boosted their price target on Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a report on Thursday. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price target on Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Manulife Financial presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average target price of C$42.27.

Manulife Financial Stock Performance

Shares of MFC traded up C$0.99 during trading hours on Monday, hitting C$45.23. The stock had a trading volume of 1,971,687 shares, compared to its average volume of 6,360,595. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.60, a current ratio of 36.68 and a quick ratio of 2.58. Manulife Financial has a 12 month low of C$25.65 and a 12 month high of C$45.68. The firm has a market capitalization of C$80.06 billion, a PE ratio of 18.83, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. The stock has a fifty day moving average price of C$40.15 and a 200 day moving average price of C$37.05.

Manulife Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.54%. Manulife Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 68.09%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Manulife Financial news, Director Tin Ku sold 2,166 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$37.45, for a total transaction of C$81,116.70. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 253 shares of the company's stock, valued at C$9,474.85. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. In other Manulife Financial news, Director Tin Ku sold 2,166 shares of the business's stock in a transaction that occurred on Thursday, September 5th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$37.45, for a total transaction of C$81,116.70. Following the sale, the director now directly owns 253 shares of the company's stock, valued at C$9,474.85. The trade was a 0.00 % decrease in their ownership of the stock. Also, Director Matthew Lyman Macinnis sold 6,708 shares of the company's stock in a transaction that occurred on Tuesday, August 13th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$34.67, for a total value of C$232,566.36. Insiders have sold 68,821 shares of company stock valued at $2,455,596 over the last ninety days. 0.03% of the stock is owned by insiders.

About Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks.