Natixis Raises Stake in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

Natixis boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC by 25.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The fund owned 228,521 shares of the financial services provider's stock after purchasing an additional 46,775 shares during the period. Natixis' holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $7,018,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Several other institutional investors have also added to or reduced their stakes in the business. First Trust Advisors LP boosted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 3.6% during the 4th quarter. First Trust Advisors LP now owns 349,842 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $10,746,000 after acquiring an additional 12,256 shares during the period. Commerce Bank boosted its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 17.6% during the fourth quarter. Commerce Bank now owns 16,106 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $495,000 after purchasing an additional 2,410 shares during the period. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co grew its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 2.4% in the fourth quarter. CANADA LIFE ASSURANCE Co now owns 3,274,389 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $100,386,000 after purchasing an additional 75,735 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board increased its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 42.1% in the fourth quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 7,427,745 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $227,895,000 after buying an additional 2,200,000 shares during the period. Finally, NewEdge Advisors LLC raised its holdings in Manulife Financial by 42.2% during the 4th quarter. NewEdge Advisors LLC now owns 32,193 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $989,000 after buying an additional 9,551 shares during the last quarter. 52.56% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Manulife Financial Trading Up 0.2 %

NYSE MFC traded up $0.05 during trading on Friday, hitting $30.26. The company had a trading volume of 1,078,617 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,235,779. The company's fifty day moving average is $29.72 and its 200-day moving average is $30.41. Manulife Financial Co. has a one year low of $23.27 and a one year high of $33.07. The company has a market cap of $52.00 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.62, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.89.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.74 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.67 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $9.31 billion during the quarter. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 10.08% and a return on equity of 15.98%. As a group, equities analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.87 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, March 5th were given a dividend of $0.3094 per share. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, March 5th. This is a positive change from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.09%. Manulife Financial's payout ratio is currently 58.45%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the stock. Scotiabank reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a report on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada raised their target price on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. One analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, the stock presently has a consensus rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $45.50.

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.