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

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC - Get Free Report) NYSE: MFC's stock price crossed above its two hundred day moving average during trading on Friday . The stock has a two hundred day moving average of C$40.57 and traded as high as C$44.09. Manulife Financial shares last traded at C$43.81, with a volume of 2,882,806 shares trading hands.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research firms recently commented on MFC. National Bankshares raised their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. Jefferies Financial Group raised their target price on 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. Barclays upped their price target on Manulife Financial from C$40.00 to C$47.00 in a report on Monday, January 6th. Cormark raised their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Scotiabank boosted their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a research report on Friday, November 8th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, two have issued a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus target price of C$44.09.

Manulife Financial Stock Performance

The company has a market cap of C$77.54 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.64, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. The firm's 50 day simple moving average is C$44.36 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$40.59. 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 (TSE:MFC - Get Free Report) NYSE: MFC last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported C$1.00 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.95 by C$0.05. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 17.34% and a return on equity of 10.41%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the firm posted $0.92 earnings per share. On average, sell-side analysts predict that Manulife Financial Co. will post 3.6104452 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Announces Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.65%. Manulife Financial's payout ratio is 68.09%.

Insider Activity at Manulife Financial

In related news, Director Anthony Alex Silva sold 1,000 shares of the 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 value of C$45,218.70. Also, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 11,598 shares of the company's stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 14th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$46.07, for a total value of C$534,308.26. Over the last quarter, insiders sold 77,771 shares of company stock valued at $3,508,584. 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.