Cormark Has Optimistic Outlook of TSE:MFC FY2025 Earnings

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC) (NYSE:MFC) – Cormark boosted their FY2025 EPS estimates for shares of Manulife Financial in a research report issued to clients and investors on Thursday, November 7th. Cormark analyst L. Persaud now anticipates that the financial services provider will post earnings per share of $4.05 for the year, up from their previous estimate of $3.99. The consensus estimate for Manulife Financial’s current full-year earnings is $3.61 per share.

A number of other research analysts have also recently commented on the stock. Barclays set a C$39.00 price target on shares of Manulife Financial and gave the company an “equal weight” rating in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. Scotiabank lifted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a research report on Friday, November 8th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$38.00 to C$39.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th. National Bankshares lifted their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Finally, TD Securities increased their target price on Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$48.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, November 7th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have assigned a hold rating, eight have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus target price of C$42.27.

Manulife Financial Price Performance

MFC opened at C$45.38 on Monday. The stock has a market capitalization of C$80.32 billion, a P/E ratio of 19.31, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. The company has a current ratio of 36.68, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 49.60. Manulife Financial has a 12-month low of C$25.65 and a 12-month high of C$45.68. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$40.30 and a 200-day moving average price of C$37.14.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Rocco Gori sold 48,345 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$35.73, for a total transaction of C$1,727,395.86. In other Manulife Financial news, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 11,599 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.73, for a total transaction of C$414,439.23. Also, Director Rocco Gori sold 48,345 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction dated Thursday, August 15th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$35.73, for a total transaction of C$1,727,395.86. In the last ninety days, insiders sold 62,113 shares of company stock worth $2,223,030. 0.03% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Manulife Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 19th. Shareholders of record on Thursday, December 19th will be given a dividend of $0.40 per share. This represents a $1.60 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.53%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. Manulife Financial’s payout ratio is currently 68.09%.

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.