TSE:MFC

Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)

57.04
+0.49 (0.87%)
as of Jun 25, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
1634 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJun 25, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 28 opinions in the last 12 months.

Manulife Financial (MFC) has garnered mixed opinions from market experts. Many analysts recognize MFC's potential, particularly highlighting its growth in Asia and successful capital generation from legacy businesses. The consensus seems to indicate a solid long-term investment due to its steady dividend yield, with several experts suggesting that patience may be required as the stock navigates short-term fluctuations. Despite some concerns about past performance and market positioning against competitors, the company's strategy and management is viewed positively. Analysts mention the current valuation as reasonable compared to peers, suggesting MFC is a better option for income rather than growth. Overall, there is a cautious optimism about MFC's capabilities and future direction.

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Consensus
Hold
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Valuation
Fair Value
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Similar
SLF-T
HOLD
Frustrating stock! Fundamentally, the company's new CEO has been right-sizing operations and with the virus this year premiums collected have had a hard time finding yield. This has hurt the stock in the first quarter. The price to book is 0.6 times -- very attractive. She thinks this is a good hold and you have to think longer term. She does own this.
WAIT

GWO vs MFC vs SLF? In general, he thinks all insurance companies are safe here. They don't have the threat of rising loan losses, like the banks do. They trade cheaper than the banks. Capital ratios are solid. They are finding ways to deal with low interest rates. GWO has a good job. MFC is very cheap, compared to its peers. SLF has been the steady eddy of the group. He likes them all. He would buy now, but you might be able to purchase them cheaper in the next couple of months.

TOP PICK
He liked this around $18. He does not know why it has been a laggard for so long. If are really are in a full recovery, assets values in personal wealth should recover -- although he is a little skeptical. You would be well served owning it below $20. Yield 5.82% (Analysts’ price target is $22.22)
BUY
Low interest rates are not great for insurance companies. He thinks the risks are priced in. He thinks it will get a tail wind with the rest of the financials playing catch-up to the markets.
HOLD
It has been a frustrating stock going back to '08/'09. He feels it is undervalued. It's like the banks where investors have concerns about the financial sector. Some of the concerns are real and MFC-T just gets lumped into it. This is a stock you would buy and hold for a long term, so at current levels it is not a bad opportunity.
WEAK BUY
It's trading near its 8-year low. MFC is most responsive to changes in equity markets. It's trading now at price-to-book of 0.6x, so you could probably buy it now and be fine, but an American one has sold off as much, but isn't enduring a restructuring like MFC. He prefers Lincoln National in the US where there is also insider buying. MFC doesn't have insider buying.
DON'T BUY
You want to buy companies that are good and getting better and thriving in the current environment. The difficulty with financials is that they are dependent on the environment going forward. If it was going to be a quick recovery it would be okay but the market is not telling you that. Buy it when the stock market is going to take off, or when the long term rates are about to move up a bunch. The insurance sector as a whole is under some pressure.
HOLD
China exposure? All the Canadian life companies reported earnings last week. As they collect premiums up front and invest in bonds, etc. until they need to payout, they are now at risk to losses on those investments. She feels MFC is emerging from this much better than back in 2008 and thinks the balance sheet is much stronger. She owns it and will continue to do so. Their Asian market exposure offers a great long term opportunity.
DON'T BUY
He would stay clear of this. The market is saying there is something wrong with the balance sheet. You would be better off looking for better quality companies.
DON'T BUY

MFC-T vs. SLF-T. He would not jump from one to the other unless you have some great knowledge. They are facing lots of headwinds from low interest rates. MFC-T never recovered from the financial crisis. He is not interested in owning the lifecos except BRK-N.

BUY
Dividend safe? He likes and owns MFC. The yield is juicy as the stock price has fallen -- about 6.6%. He thinks it is secure and the payout ratio is expected to be about 45%. It has a strong credit rating. It will face issues with the outlook for their investment business in bonds and mortgages. The re-investment yields are much lower today. Their wealth asset management business will likely be negatively impacted as well. He still seems them as a leader in the space. Earnings have grown at 9% annually and he thinks that will return. It trades at only 6 times earnings. He would buy today.
COMMENT

MFC vs SLF He sees a lot of value in the insurance sector. He owns MFC, but there is no flaw in holding SLF either. MFC has growth focused on Asia. Both are undervalued at about 7 times earnings.

BUY
The revised earnings are a little down tick but not terrifying. The dividend appears to be safe and the PE ratio looks like a bargain. He really likes this stock. It has a lot of upside if there are no nasty surprises in their numbers.
WATCH
You have the insurance side and the investment side. The latter is going to be very challenging for insurance companies because of where interest rates are. Watch the investment side closely. The insurance side is doing quite well.
PARTIAL BUY
Dividend safe? He did sell some earlier this year, but it's still a core position. The low interest rates kill their balance sheet. But the good news is that they have potential for growth in Asia as Asia returns to speed. The dividend is safe. It's a tricky balancing act. Generally, don't over-lever anything now. We have to get through this period before the sun shines--and the sun will shine again. You can buy this, but don't overweight any stock.
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