Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC) Position Boosted by Vise Technologies Inc.

Vise Technologies Inc. boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC by 33.9% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm owned 59,714 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 15,105 shares during the period. Vise Technologies Inc.'s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $1,834,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $31,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $34,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.56% of the company's stock.

Manulife Financial Stock Up 1.8%

Manulife Financial stock traded up $0.55 during midday trading on Tuesday, hitting $31.76. The company's stock had a trading volume of 1,278,628 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,144,487. The stock's 50-day moving average price is $30.28 and its 200-day moving average price is $30.56. Manulife Financial Co. has a 12 month low of $23.30 and a 12 month high of $33.07. The company has a market capitalization of $54.40 billion, a PE ratio of 15.34, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.00.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.69 EPS for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.70 by ($0.01). The business had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 15.98% and a net margin of 10.08%. During the same quarter in the previous year, the business posted $0.94 EPS. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.87 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, May 21st will be issued a dividend of $0.3194 per share. This represents a $1.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.02%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, May 21st. This is an increase from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Manulife Financial's payout ratio is presently 63.87%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MFC has been the subject of a number of recent analyst reports. Morgan Stanley set a $46.00 price target on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, May 19th. Scotiabank reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Finally, Royal Bank of Canada boosted their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $45.67.

About Manulife Financial

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.