Manulife Financial (MFC.TO) Buy, Sell or Hold

Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)

61.50

-0.03 (0.05%)

as of Sep 24, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

1632 watching

DON'T BUY

It always trades in the same range. What kind of value is being created? Can't seem to deploy excess capital efficiently. See his Top Picks. Don't be seduced by the dividend.

DON'T BUY

It's been stuck in the doldrums for 5-6 years. It doesn't grow like the banks. Currency meltdowns hurt MFC's big Asian division.

DON'T BUY

Hard to own insurance, as there are so many moving parts. Insurance arm in Asia starting to slow down. Cheap valuation. Unclear what motivation is to move higher. Not a fan, or of any insurance. Benefit of rising rates offset by poor equity markets.

HOLD

Management has done well transforming to less economically sensitive products. Asian exposure might affect it in the near term. Profitable. Expects dividend increases. Trades in a range, so now is not the time to sell. Yields well over 5%, fairly secure.

DON'T BUY

It's a trading stock until they prove otherwise. Management is doing a good job. The Canadian and US businesses are sluggish, though Asia is doing better. They earn double-digit returns and offer a modest growth rate most years, but the stock remains stuck in $20-30 for six years. A trade, not an investment. Not that interest in it.

HOLD

Laggard for years, and that's why he likes it. Trades at a discount, excellent international operations. Lifecos are going to benefit from higher interest rates and bond yields. He also owns SLF, and it's probably done a better job over the last decade.

BUY

Still one of his favourites. Compelling valuation, at book value. The group is at a discount to the banks. You have to be a long-term player for this group. Good place to enter today for the long term. Yield over 5%.

BUY

Financials as a group are neutral. Yield is 5%, growing around 10%, very attractive. Rates are slowly going to work their way higher over several years. Will benefit from an improving equity market. One you can put away and get a good total return.

BUY

MFC is still dealing with fallouts from financial crisis. It's all about getting back to that growth phase. Asian business is still tough. You can buy it here, and share price will slowly creep up over time as it invests in core businesses. Yield is 5.5%.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Sep 13/21, Down 0.1%) It is much above the rest and he has been building up their position as well as increasing the weighting level. Now equal to the banks. Higher interest rates are good for Lifecos. Pension funds can do well with even an interest rate of 3 to 4% since they have been diversifying away from the traditional substantial fixed income holdings.

HOLD

Hard to argue with the valuation. Disappointing stock. There are worries about growth in Asia and impact of Hong Kong. Core earnings are growing. Capital ratios are in good shape. Higher rates will help investments. Cheap stock, decent yield, outlook is fine. Hang on.

BUY

Insurance companies as a group are down 20% YTD, while the TSX is down around 12%. Weaker economy hurts. Question is whether it's overly reflected in the sector? GWO tends to trade at a premium, clean earnings. He'd buy the sector, given the nice dividends and low valuations. Second half won't be as bad as the first. He'd go with MFC, trading at 6.5x earnings. Second choice SLF, third GWO.

TOP PICK

Buy when it's too cheap, as now. Sell when it gets to the top of the range, around $26-27, and it can really reward you with some nice growth and a very nice dividend. Asia should be good over time. Sees dividend growing 11% per year. Risk/reward looks really good at 6.6x PE, and 9% projected growth of 2023 over 2022. Yield is 5.8%. (Analysts’ price target is $26.43)

BUY

MFC vs. SLF vs. GWO He looks at price to book. MFC is one of the cheapest names out there. GWO is trading at 1.17x, whereas MFC is at 0.87x. SLF is more expensive at 1.4x, but you get the heavier wealth management arm and more exposure to Asia. No issue with it, pretty high and secure dividend at 6.3%. On a combination of growth and valuation, he likes MFC more. GWO is on par with SLF as a pick.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Aug 05/21, Down 2%) Cheap valuation among NA peers. Nearly a 6% dividend yield. Leading footprint in Asia, which will drive future gains. Covid restrictions in Asia are short-term headwinds. Great management, executing well, prudent on expenses, good momentum in Canada.

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Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)