US Bancorp DE Has $8.77 Million Position in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

US Bancorp DE decreased its holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC by 7.5% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 285,437 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 22,979 shares during the quarter. US Bancorp DE's holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $8,766,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

A number of other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MFC. National Bank of Canada FI grew its position 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 buying an additional 3,329,892 shares in the last quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP boosted its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 169.6% in the third quarter. Bridgewater Associates LP now owns 1,404,481 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $41,554,000 after acquiring an additional 883,624 shares in the last quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. increased its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 1,067.3% during the fourth quarter. Assenagon Asset Management S.A. now owns 686,418 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $21,080,000 after acquiring an additional 627,614 shares during the period. Geode Capital Management LLC raised its holdings in Manulife Financial by 8.1% during 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 purchasing an additional 616,517 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Healthcare of Ontario Pension Plan Trust Fund acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the third quarter worth approximately $17,412,000. 52.56% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Manulife Financial Price Performance

Shares of NYSE:MFC traded up $0.97 on Wednesday, reaching $29.86. 891,519 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 2,005,359. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.46 billion, a PE ratio of 14.44, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.05. The company's 50 day moving average is $30.32 and its 200-day moving average is $30.08. Manulife Financial Co. has a fifty-two week low of $22.61 and a fifty-two week high of $33.07.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last announced its earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.07. The business had revenue of $9.31 billion during the quarter. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 15.98% and a net margin of 10.08%. As a group, analysts expect that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.87 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be given a $0.3094 dividend. This is an increase from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.14%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. Manulife Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 58.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

MFC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Royal Bank of Canada lifted their price target on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Scotiabank reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Monday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Manulife Financial has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.50.

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.