Manulife Financial (MFC) Set to Announce Quarterly Earnings on Wednesday

Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC) (NYSE:MFC) is scheduled to be announcing its earnings results after the market closes on Wednesday, May 8th. Analysts expect the company to announce earnings of C$0.90 per share for the quarter.

Manulife Financial (TSE:MFC) (NYSE:MFC) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 14th. The financial services provider reported C$0.92 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of C$0.84 by C$0.08. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 11.57% and a net margin of 20.05%. The company had revenue of C$14.92 billion for the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of C$10.24 billion.

Manulife Financial Stock Up 1.4 %

Shares of MFC stock opened at C$32.86 on Monday. Manulife Financial has a 1 year low of C$23.69 and a 1 year high of C$34.05. The stock has a market cap of C$59.15 billion, a PE ratio of 12.59, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 12.56 and a beta of 1.09. The business’s fifty day moving average is C$32.56 and its 200-day moving average is C$29.61. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 45.69, a quick ratio of 2.58 and a current ratio of 3.79.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th were given a dividend of $0.40 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 27th. This is a boost from Manulife Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.37. This represents a $1.60 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.87%. Manulife Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 61.30%.

Insider Activity at Manulife Financial

In related news, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 10,294 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction on Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total transaction of C$337,231.44. In other news, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,317 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The stock was sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total transaction of C$108,664.92. Also, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 10,294 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Friday, February 23rd. The shares were sold at an average price of C$32.76, for a total value of C$337,231.44. Insiders own 0.02% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities analysts recently issued reports on the company. Evercore lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$30.00 to C$36.00 in a report on Tuesday, February 20th. National Bankshares lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$33.00 to C$34.00 and gave the stock a “sector perform” rating in a report on Friday, April 26th. BMO Capital Markets lifted their target price on Manulife Financial from C$35.00 to C$40.00 in a report on Monday, April 8th. Desjardins raised Manulife Financial from a “hold” rating to a “buy” rating and raised their target price for the stock from C$29.00 to C$36.00 in a research report on Friday, February 16th. Finally, Veritas Investment Research reaffirmed a “reduce” rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Friday, February 16th. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, three have issued a hold rating and six have given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Manulife Financial currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy” and a consensus price target of C$36.40.

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.