Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC) Stock Passes Above 200 Day Moving Average - Time to Sell?

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC - Get Free Report) NYSE: MFC shares crossed above its 200-day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a 200-day moving average of C$39.14 and traded as high as C$43.87. Manulife Financial shares last traded at C$43.53, with a volume of 14,470,640 shares trading hands.

Analyst Ratings Changes

A number of research firms have issued reports on MFC. Scotiabank lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a research report on Friday, November 8th. National Bankshares lifted their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. TD Securities increased their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$48.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Cormark boosted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, CIBC upped their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$42.00 to C$46.00 in a report on Friday, November 8th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. According to data from MarketBeat, Manulife Financial has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of C$43.45.

Manulife Financial Trading Up 0.5 %

The business has a 50 day moving average of C$43.68 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$39.14. The firm has a market capitalization of C$77.05 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.52, a P/E/G ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.60, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a current ratio of 36.68.

Manulife Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th were issued a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.68%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 20th. Manulife Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 68.09%.

Insider Activity at Manulife Financial

In related news, Senior Officer James D. Gallagher sold 57,064 shares of the business's stock in a transaction dated Tuesday, November 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$44.80, for a total value of C$2,556,638.39. Also, Director Anthony Alex Silva sold 1,000 shares of the firm's stock in a transaction that occurred on Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$45.22, for a total transaction of C$45,218.70. Insiders have sold a total of 77,771 shares of company stock valued at $3,508,584 over the last 90 days. Insiders own 0.03% of the company's stock.

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.