Q1 EPS Forecast for Manulife Financial Cut by Analyst

Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC - Investment analysts at National Bank Financial lowered their Q1 2025 earnings per share estimates for Manulife Financial in a note issued to investors on Thursday, May 1st. National Bank Financial analyst G. Dechaine now anticipates that the financial services provider will post earnings per share of $0.71 for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $0.73. The consensus estimate for Manulife Financial's current full-year earnings is $2.87 per share. National Bank Financial also issued estimates for Manulife Financial's Q2 2025 earnings at $0.72 EPS, Q4 2025 earnings at $0.79 EPS and FY2025 earnings at $3.00 EPS.

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 for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate 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%.

Several other equities analysts have also recently weighed in on the stock. Royal Bank of Canada raised their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Friday, February 21st. Scotiabank reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of "Buy" and an average price target of $45.50.

Manulife Financial Price Performance

MFC stock traded up $0.10 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $31.39. 1,551,907 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 2,193,517. The firm's 50-day moving average is $29.77 and its 200-day moving average is $30.44. Manulife Financial has a 12 month low of $23.30 and a 12 month high of $33.07. The company has a market cap of $53.94 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.16, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.00.

Institutional Investors Weigh In On Manulife Financial

A number of large investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. Crews Bank & Trust bought a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. bought a new stake in Manulife Financial in the 4th quarter valued at about $31,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter worth approximately $34,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC bought a new position in shares of Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $35,000. Finally, Lazard Asset Management LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at approximately $35,000. Institutional investors own 52.56% of the company's stock.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th were given a $0.3094 dividend. This represents a $1.24 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.94%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 5th. This is an increase from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Manulife Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 58.45%.

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.