Investors with an interest in Insurance - Life Insurance stocks have likely encountered both Manulife Financial (MFC) and Sun Life (SLF) . But which of these two stocks offers value investors a better bang for their buck right now? We'll need to take a closer look.There are plenty of strategies for discovering value stocks, but we have found that pairing a strong Zacks Rank with an impressive grade in the Value category of our Style Scores system produces the best returns. The Zacks Rank is a proven strateg ...

BOSTON and TORONTO, July 8, 2025 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife Investment Management (Manulife IM) has announced the final close of Manulife Co-Investment Partners III, L.P. and related strategic commitments, raising $1.1 billion—well above its $750 million target and exceeding its 2021 predecessor fund by more than $300 million.This milestone reflects the continued successful fundraising of Manulife IM's co-investment strategy, which is built on the firm's long-standing primary funds platform and deep relationsh ...

Key Takeaways MFC shares closed at $31.88, up 18.1% in the past year and near their 52-week high of $33.07. MFC is focused on high-growth, capital-light, higher-return businesses to accelerate earnings momentum. Analyst estimates for 2025 earnings rose 2.8% in 60 days, with projected growth of 4.2% year over year.Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) closed at $31.88 on Thursday, near its 52-week high of $33.07. This proximity underscores investor confidence. It has the ingredients for further price apprec ...

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Company Overview - Manulife Financial (MFC) is headquartered in Toronto and has experienced a price change of -0.13% this year [3] - The company currently pays a dividend of $0.32 per share, resulting in a dividend yield of 4.16%, which is significantly higher than the Insurance - Life Insurance industry's yield of 1.81% and the S&P 500's yield of 1.62% [3] Dividend Performance - The current annualized dividend of $1.28 represents an 8% increase from the previous year [4] - Over the past five years, Manulife Financial has increased its dividend five times, achieving an average annual increase of 8.83% [4] - The company's current payout ratio is 43%, indicating that it pays out 43% of its trailing 12-month earnings per share as dividends [4] Earnings Outlook - Manulife Financial is expected to see earnings growth this fiscal year, with the Zacks Consensus Estimate for 2025 at $2.94 per share, reflecting a year-over-year growth rate of 4.26% [5] Investment Considerations - Dividends are favored by investors as they enhance stock investing profits, reduce overall portfolio risk, and offer tax advantages [6] - High-yielding stocks may face challenges during periods of rising interest rates, but MFC is considered a compelling investment opportunity due to its strong dividend profile [7] - The stock currently holds a Zacks Rank of 3 (Hold), indicating a stable investment position [7]

Core Insights - Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC) has achieved a 52-week high of $33.07 and closed at $31.94, reflecting a 23.7% increase over the past year, outperforming the industry, sector, and S&P 500 composite [1][2] Company Performance - MFC has outperformed peers such as Primerica, Inc. (PRI), Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated (RGA), and Voya Financial, Inc. (VOYA), with PRI gaining 21.8%, while RGA and VOYA saw declines of 1.2% and 11.2%, respectively [2] - MFC's market capitalization stands at $54.78 billion, with an average trading volume of 2.3 million shares over the last three months [2] Technical Analysis - MFC shares are trading above the 50-day and 200-day simple moving averages of $30.55 and $30.12, indicating strong upward momentum [5] Growth Strategy - MFC is focusing on high-growth, capital-light, and higher-return businesses to enhance earnings momentum, maintaining a target leverage ratio of 25% for financial flexibility [7] - The company aims for its Asia business to contribute half of its core earnings by 2025, indicating a strategic focus on this region for long-term growth [16] Valuation Metrics - MFC shares are trading at a price-to-earnings ratio of 10.53X, which is above the industry average of 8.13X, indicating a premium valuation [8] - The average price target from 12 analysts for MFC is $34.84 per share, suggesting an 8.9% upside from the last closing price [9] Earnings Projections - The Zacks Consensus Estimate for MFC's 2025 earnings per share indicates a year-over-year increase of 4.2%, with a projected increase of 7.7% for 2026 [13] - Analyst sentiment is positive, with three out of six analysts raising estimates for 2025 and five for 2026 in the past 30 days [14] Financial Health - MFC's return on equity over the trailing 12 months is 15.8%, surpassing the industry average of 15.3%, showcasing efficient use of shareholders' funds [15] - The company has maintained a free cash flow conversion rate of over 100% in recent quarters, reflecting strong earnings [18] Dividend Policy - MFC has increased its dividend at a seven-year compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of 10% and targets a dividend payout ratio of 35-45% over the medium term [18] Conclusion - MFC is positioned for growth driven by its strong Asia business, expanding Wealth and Asset Management operations, and solid capital position, with a medium-term expense efficiency ratio target of less than 45% [19]

Core Insights - Manulife is committed to responsible AI use, emphasizing ethical principles in the design, development, and deployment of AI solutions [2][4][3] - The company has over 43 Generative AI (GenAI) use cases in production and plans to deploy an equivalent number by the end of 2025, with over 450 ideas currently under evaluation [1][6] - Manulife expects its digital investments, including AI enhancements, to yield a threefold return on investment over five years, with over $600 million in benefits realized in 2024 from digital customer leadership initiatives [8] Responsible AI Principles - Manulife's Responsible AI Principles guide the ethical use of AI, ensuring alignment with the company's core values and mission [4][5] - The principles focus on safety, sustainability, bias-free practices, human agency, and continuous learning from industry partners [5][4] AI Capabilities and Workforce Empowerment - The company has approximately 200 data scientists and machine learning engineers, providing global access to GenAI tools for all employees [6] - Manulife has implemented a GenAI skills-building program aimed at empowering its workforce to responsibly harness AI technologies [7] Industry Leadership and Collaboration - Manulife is positioning itself as a leader in responsible AI use, participating in industry discussions to shape the future of AI in global business [3][4] - The company is dedicated to fostering a collaborative environment that addresses the complexities of AI while ensuring its safe and beneficial application [4]

Core Insights - The company reported a core profit of CAD 1.767 billion for the three months ending March 31, 2025, a decrease of 1% year-over-year [1] - Net income attributable to shareholders was CAD 485 million, down 47% compared to the previous year [1] - The global wealth and asset management business saw net inflows of CAD 500 million, significantly lower than the CAD 6.7 billion net inflows achieved in the first quarter of 2024 [1] Business Performance - The company started the new year with strong momentum, achieving record new business performance in the insurance sector for the quarter [1] - All business units in the insurance sector experienced double-digit growth in new business value, with Asia showing a year-on-year increase of 43% [1] - Core profit in the global wealth and asset management business grew by 24%, with a core EBITDA margin expansion of 290 basis points [1] Strategic Developments - The company completed its second long-term care reinsurance transaction, demonstrating its commitment to creating sustainable value for shareholders [1] - The company expressed confidence in navigating the current economic environment and seizing growth opportunities, supported by a robust balance sheet [1] - The LICAT ratio remained strong at 137%, and the financial leverage ratio was at 23.9%, within the mid-term target range of 25% [1]

Business Performance - The new business value in the insurance sector reached a record high, with a year-on-year growth of 43% in Asia, contributing to a 36% increase in new business value overall [4]. - Core earnings for Q1 2025 were CAD 1.767 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to Q1 2024, while net income attributable to shareholders was CAD 485 million, down 47% [6]. - Core EPS increased by 3% to CAD 0.99, while overall EPS fell by 48% to CAD 0.25 [6]. - APE sales rose by 37% to CAD 2.689 billion, and new business CSM increased by 31% to CAD 907 million [6]. - In Q1 2025, core earnings were CAD 1.8 billion, a decrease of 1% compared to Q1 2024 [13]. - Net income attributable to shareholders in Q1 2025 was CAD 500 million, down CAD 400 million from Q1 2024, primarily due to increased net provisions from market experience [14]. - APE sales, new business CSM, and new business value in the insurance sector grew by 37%, 31%, and 36% year-over-year, respectively, in Q1 2025 [15]. - Core earnings for Q1 2025 totaled CAD 1,767 million, a decrease from CAD 1,907 million in Q4 2024 but an increase from CAD 1,710 million in Q1 2024 [24]. - The net income attributable to shareholders for Q1 2025 was CAD 485 million, down from CAD 1,638 million in Q4 2024 and CAD 866 million in Q1 2024 [24]. Financial Metrics - The LICAT ratio remained strong at 137%, and the financial leverage ratio was 23.9%, within the mid-term target range of 25% [4]. - The core EBITDA margin for the global wealth and asset management business expanded by 290 basis points to 28.4% [8]. - The market experience loss for Q1 2025 was CAD 1,332 million, compared to a loss of CAD 192 million in Q4 2024 and a loss of CAD 779 million in Q1 2024 [24]. - The company reported a core earnings tax adjustment of $331 million for Q1 2025, consistent with the effective rates applied during the reporting period [31]. - The company reported a total investment income of $3,242 million for Q1 2025, down from $4,628 million in Q4 2024 [49]. - The company’s total income before tax was $1,252 million, with a significant contribution from the Asia segment at $594 million [35]. - The company’s core earnings tax adjustment for Q1 2024 was $330 million, reflecting the effective tax rate applied [37]. Market and Strategic Initiatives - The company launched FutureStepTM, a new digital retirement plan product for small businesses in the U.S., enhancing its market presence [9]. - A strategic partnership with China Banking Corporation was extended for 15 years to provide comprehensive financial solutions in the Philippines [9]. - The company completed a reinsurance transaction with Reinsurance Group of America, releasing capital to be returned to shareholders through a new share buyback plan [9]. - The company is focusing on expanding its market presence and enhancing its product offerings as part of its strategic initiatives [23]. - The company plans to return capital through share buybacks as part of its strategy to achieve mid-term financial and operational goals [50]. Regional Performance - In Asia, APE sales, new business CSM, and new business value reached record highs, growing by 50%, 38%, and 43% year-over-year, respectively [18]. - In Canada, APE sales increased by 9%, with new business value growing by 15% compared to Q1 2024 [18]. - The net income from Asia for Q1 2025 was $624 million, up from $583 million in Q4 2024, while the U.S. reported a loss of $569 million [45]. - The net income from Canada for Q1 2025 was $222 million, a decrease from $439 million in Q4 2024 [45]. Risks and Uncertainties - The company emphasizes that forward-looking statements are subject to significant risks and uncertainties, which may cause actual results to differ materially from expectations [50]. - Key factors affecting actual performance include general business and economic conditions, market volatility, interest rates, and credit spreads [52]. - Future performance may be influenced by geopolitical uncertainties, including international disputes and trade issues [52]. - The potential impact of climate change and environmental factors on the company's operations is acknowledged as a significant risk [52]. - The company acknowledges the importance of adapting to market changes and retaining key personnel to ensure operational effectiveness [52].

Report shares firm's continued progress toward generating long-term value for its business, customers, communities, and shareholders Highlights from the firm's 2024 Sustainability Report that support Manulife's Impact Agenda to empower sustained health and wellbeing, drive inclusive economic opportunity, and accelerate a sustainable future include the followingi: "As a global life insurer, asset manager, and retirement plan provider, Manulife is uniquely placed to unlock opportunities that help people live ...