Q1 EPS Forecast for Manulife Financial Decreased by Analyst

Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC - Equities research analysts at Desjardins reduced their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for shares of Manulife Financial in a report issued on Thursday, April 17th. Desjardins analyst D. Young now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $0.69 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.71. The consensus estimate for Manulife Financial's current full-year earnings is $2.87 per share.

Several other analysts have also weighed in on MFC. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.50.

Manulife Financial Stock Up 2.8 %

Shares of MFC traded up $0.82 during mid-day trading on Friday, hitting $30.05. The stock had a trading volume of 1,041,868 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,236,025. The company has a market cap of $51.64 billion, a PE ratio of 14.52, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.89. Manulife Financial has a fifty-two week low of $22.96 and a fifty-two week high of $33.07. The company's fifty day simple moving average is $29.70 and its two-hundred day simple moving average is $30.41.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last posted 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. The company had revenue of $9.31 billion for the quarter. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 15.98% and a net margin of 10.08%.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 5th were issued a $0.3094 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.12%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 5th. This is a boost from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Manulife Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 58.45%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

A number of hedge funds and other institutional investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new position in Manulife Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter valued at $31,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC bought a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $34,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC bought a new position in Manulife Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $35,000. 52.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

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.