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

Shares of Manulife Financial Co. (TSE:MFC – Get Free Report) (NYSE:MFC) have received an average recommendation of “Moderate Buy” from the seven ratings firms that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Two research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokers that have covered the stock in the last year is C$45.60.

A number of research firms have recently weighed in on MFC. Scotiabank raised their price objective on Manulife Financial from C$48.00 to C$49.00 in a research report on Friday, November 8th. National Bankshares increased their price target on Manulife Financial from C$45.00 to C$47.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 7th. Cormark boosted their price target on Manulife Financial from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a research note on Thursday, November 21st. Barclays increased their price objective on shares of Manulife Financial from C$40.00 to C$47.00 in a research report on Monday, January 6th. Finally, CIBC lifted their target price on shares of Manulife Financial from C$47.00 to C$48.00 in a research note on Friday, February 21st.

View Our Latest Analysis on Manulife Financial

Insider Buying and Selling at Manulife Financial

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In other Manulife Financial news, Director Brooks Tingle sold 3,866 shares of Manulife Financial stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$43.43, for a total transaction of C$167,882.21. Also, Senior Officer Steve Finch sold 11,598 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 24th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$43.43, for a total value of C$503,646.63. Company insiders own 0.03% of the company’s stock.

Manulife Financial Stock Up 1.8 %

Shares of MFC opened at C$43.01 on Thursday. The company has a 50 day moving average of C$43.52 and a two-hundred day moving average of C$42.11. Manulife Financial has a twelve month low of C$31.24 and a twelve month high of C$46.42. The company has a market cap of C$75.44 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.38, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.01 and a beta of 1.06.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 19th will be given a dividend of $0.44 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, March 5th. This is a positive change from Manulife Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.40. This represents a $1.76 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.09%. Manulife Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 49.79%.

About Manulife Financial

(Get Free Report

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.