Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC) is Heathbridge Capital Management Ltd.'s 7th Largest Position

Heathbridge Capital Management Ltd. trimmed its stake in shares of Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC by 26.2% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The firm owned 474,950 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 168,600 shares during the period. Manulife Financial comprises about 5.8% of Heathbridge Capital Management Ltd.'s portfolio, making the stock its 7th largest position. Heathbridge Capital Management Ltd.'s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $14,576,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. National Bank of Canada FI boosted its holdings in 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. Geode Capital Management LLC increased its position in Manulife Financial by 8.1% in the 3rd quarter. Geode Capital Management LLC now owns 8,273,260 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $247,473,000 after acquiring an additional 616,517 shares during the period. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 3.1% in the 3rd quarter. Charles Schwab Investment Management Inc. now owns 5,186,930 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $153,455,000 after purchasing an additional 158,216 shares during the last quarter. The Manufacturers Life Insurance Company boosted its stake in Manulife Financial by 1.8% during 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. boosted its stake in Manulife Financial by 16.4% during 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. 52.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Manulife Financial Price Performance

Shares of MFC stock traded up $2.05 on Thursday, hitting $31.83. The stock had a trading volume of 4,449,882 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,051,372. Manulife Financial Co. has a 12-month low of $22.61 and a 12-month high of $33.07. The business has a 50 day moving average of $30.31 and a 200 day moving average of $29.70. The stock has a market cap of $54.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.37, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.04 and a beta of 1.09.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $9.31 billion for the quarter. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 16.11% and a net margin of 9.79%. As a group, research analysts expect that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.65 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

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

Manulife Financial 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.