Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Analysts

Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC) (NYSE:MFC) has received an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the thirteen brokerages that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have given a hold rating, eight have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1 year price target among analysts that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$43.45.

Several research analysts have weighed in on the company. Jefferies Financial Group increased their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$42.00 to C$47.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Wednesday, October 16th. TD Securities raised their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$48.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, November 7th. National Bankshares boosted their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a report on Thursday, November 7th. Cormark raised their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a report on Thursday, November 21st. Finally, Barclays lifted their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from C$39.00 to C$40.00 in a research report on Friday, November 22nd.

Manulife Financial Price Performance

Shares of TSE MFC opened at C$43.53 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is C$43.68 and its 200-day moving average is C$39.14. The firm has a market cap of C$77.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 18.52, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06. Manulife Financial has a 1-year low of C$28.06 and a 1-year high of C$46.42. 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 Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th were paid a $0.40 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.68%. Manulife Financial’s payout ratio is 68.09%.

Insider Buying and Selling

In related news, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,866 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Thursday, November 14th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$46.07, for a total transaction of C$178,102.75. Also, Director Anthony Alex Silva sold 1,000 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Wednesday, November 27th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$45.22, for a total value of C$45,218.70. Insiders sold a total of 77,771 shares of company stock worth $3,508,584 in the last ninety days. 0.03% of the stock is owned by 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.