Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC Invests $26.86 Million in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC purchased a new position in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC - Free Report) TSE: MFC in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The firm purchased 874,700 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $26,862,000. Susquehanna Fundamental Investments LLC owned about 0.05% of Manulife Financial at the end of the most recent quarter.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also made changes to their positions in MFC. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Lee Danner & Bass Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Manulife Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $31,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $34,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new stake in Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, CKW Financial Group purchased a new position in Manulife Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $37,000. 52.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

A number of equities analysts have issued reports on MFC shares. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada increased their price target on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. One equities research 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company currently has an average rating of "Buy" and a consensus price target of $45.50.

Manulife Financial Trading Up 0.8 %

NYSE:MFC traded up $0.26 during mid-day trading on Thursday, hitting $30.88. The stock had a trading volume of 1,914,797 shares, compared to its average volume of 2,359,863. The stock has a 50-day simple moving average of $29.71 and a two-hundred day simple moving average of $30.42. The company has a market capitalization of $53.05 billion, a PE ratio of 14.92, a PEG ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 0.89. Manulife Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $23.30 and a twelve month high of $33.07.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC - Get Free Report) TSE: MFC last announced its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.74 EPS for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $9.31 billion for the quarter. Manulife Financial had a net margin of 10.08% and a return on equity of 15.98%. Sell-side analysts predict that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th were paid a $0.3094 dividend. This is a positive change from Manulife Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.01%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, March 5th. Manulife Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 58.45%.

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.