Desjardins Cuts Earnings Estimates for Manulife Financial

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC) (NYSE:MFC) – Analysts at Desjardins decreased their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for Manulife Financial in a report issued on Thursday, April 17th. Desjardins analyst D. Young now forecasts that the financial services provider will earn $0.96 per share for the quarter, down from their previous forecast of $1.02. The consensus estimate for Manulife Financial’s current full-year earnings is $3.61 per share.

Other equities research analysts also recently issued reports about the stock. Jefferies Financial Group boosted their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$50.00 to C$51.00 in a research note on Thursday, January 30th. TD Securities lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 20th. Barclays lowered their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$49.00 to C$45.00 in a research report on Friday, April 11th. CIBC lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada set a C$51.00 price target on shares of Manulife Financial and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Tuesday. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, Manulife Financial presently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of C$46.60.

Manulife Financial Stock Down 0.0 %

Shares of MFC stock opened at C$39.65 on Friday. Manulife Financial has a 12 month low of C$31.43 and a 12 month high of C$46.42. The firm has a market cap of C$69.55 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.34, a PEG ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of C$42.41 and a 200 day moving average price of C$43.06.

Insider Activity at Manulife Financial

In related news, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 11,598 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$43.43, for a total value of C$503,646.63. Also, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,866 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$43.43, for a total value of C$167,882.21. Insiders sold 18,683 shares of company stock worth $816,102 in the last ninety days. 0.03% of the stock is owned by company insiders.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 19th were given a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from Manulife Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.76 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.44%. Manulife Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 49.79%.

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.