Brokerages Set Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC) PT at C$44.09

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC - Get Free Report) NYSE: MFC has received an average rating of "Moderate Buy" from the thirteen research firms that are currently covering the company, Marketbeat.com reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 12 month price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$44.09.

Several analysts have commented on the stock. CIBC raised their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$42.00 to C$46.00 in a report on Friday, November 8th. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$42.00 to C$47.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. Scotiabank boosted their price target on Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a research note on Friday, November 8th. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, TD Securities raised their target price on Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$48.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th.

Manulife Financial Trading Down 0.2 %

TSE:MFC traded down C$0.11 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching C$44.26. 3,171,019 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 3,246,477. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.60, a current ratio of 36.68 and a quick ratio of 2.58. The firm has a market capitalization of C$78.34 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.83, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a 50 day moving average price of C$44.49 and a 200-day moving average price of C$40.32. Manulife Financial has a 12-month low of C$28.06 and a 12-month high of C$46.42.

Manulife Financial Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th were given a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.62%. Manulife Financial's payout ratio is 68.09%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other Manulife Financial news, Director Kenneth Michael Ross sold 4,243 shares of the stock in a transaction on Monday, December 2nd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$45.80, for a total transaction of C$194,315.82. Also, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,866 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction dated Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$46.07, for a total value of C$178,102.75. Insiders sold 77,771 shares of company stock worth $3,508,584 in the last three months. 0.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

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.