Empowered Funds LLC Makes New $1.46 Million Investment in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

Empowered Funds LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm acquired 47,518 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,459,000.

A number of other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. National Bank of Canada FI grew its position in Manulife Financial by 13.5% in the third quarter. National Bank of Canada FI now owns 28,063,936 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $829,374,000 after acquiring an additional 3,329,892 shares in the last quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC grew its position in Manulife Financial by 8.1% in the third quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,273,260 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $247,473,000 after acquiring an additional 616,517 shares in the last quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. grew its position in Manulife Financial by 3.1% in the third quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,186,930 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $153,455,000 after acquiring an additional 158,216 shares in the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company grew its position in Manulife Financial by 1.8% in the third quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company now owns 2,035,663 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $60,202,000 after acquiring an additional 36,838 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Franklin Resources Inc. grew its position in Manulife Financial by 16.4% in the third quarter. Franklin Resources Inc. now owns 1,988,200 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $61,426,000 after acquiring an additional 279,418 shares in the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.56% of the company's stock.

Manulife Financial Stock Performance

NYSE MFC traded up $2.05 during trading on Thursday, hitting $31.83. The stock had a trading volume of 4,449,702 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,014,587. The stock has a market capitalization of $54.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.37, a P/E/G ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.09. Manulife Financial Co. has a one year low of $22.61 and a one year high of $33.07. The stock has a 50 day simple moving average of $30.31 and a 200 day simple moving average of $29.70.

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. The business had revenue of $9.31 billion during the quarter. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 9.79% and a return on equity of 16.11%. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.65 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be paid a dividend of $0.3094 per share. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.89%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Manulife Financial's payout ratio is currently 59.42%.

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.