Cormark Research Analysts Raise Earnings Estimates for MFC

Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC - Equities researchers at Cormark boosted their FY2025 earnings estimates for Manulife Financial in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, February 20th. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now forecasts that the financial services provider will post earnings of $2.93 per share for the year, up from their previous estimate of $2.85. The consensus estimate for Manulife Financial's current full-year earnings is $2.87 per share.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.07. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 10.08% and a return on equity of 15.98%. The company had revenue of $9.31 billion for the quarter.

Several other research firms have also weighed in on MFC. Scotiabank reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.50.

Manulife Financial Stock Up 1.5 %

Manulife Financial stock traded up $0.46 during mid-day trading on Monday, hitting $30.59. The company's stock had a trading volume of 640,644 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,046,152. The stock has a market capitalization of $52.72 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.78, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.09. Manulife Financial has a twelve month low of $22.61 and a twelve month high of $33.07. The stock's fifty day moving average price is $30.30 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $29.87.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.3094 per share. This is an increase from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.05%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 5th. Manulife Financial's payout ratio is 58.45%.

Institutional Trading of Manulife Financial

A number of hedge funds have recently modified their holdings of the business. FIL Ltd raised its position in Manulife Financial by 21.7% during the fourth quarter. FIL Ltd now owns 39,610,614 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,216,880,000 after buying an additional 7,053,066 shares during the period. TD Asset Management Inc. grew its stake in Manulife Financial by 0.7% during the 4th quarter. TD Asset Management Inc. now owns 34,803,859 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,068,654,000 after acquiring an additional 228,863 shares in the last quarter. National Bank of Canada FI increased its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 13.5% in the 3rd quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 28,063,936 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $829,374,000 after purchasing an additional 3,329,892 shares during the period. Mackenzie Financial Corp lifted its position in Manulife Financial by 0.9% in the 4th quarter. Mackenzie Financial Corp now owns 24,614,416 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $755,367,000 after buying an additional 230,105 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Toronto Dominion Bank boosted its position in Manulife Financial by 4.1% during the fourth quarter. Toronto Dominion Bank now owns 22,812,909 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $699,948,000 after purchasing an additional 902,466 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.56% of the company's stock.

Manulife Financial Company Profile

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.