TSE:MFC

Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)

54.00
+0.50 (0.93%)
as of Jun 5, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
1636 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJun 5, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 27 opinions in the last 12 months.

Manulife Financial (MFC) is viewed positively by several analysts, who note its solid growth in Asia and the wealth management sector. The company is seen as a stable and reliable option, with a decent dividend yield that appeals to income-focused investors. Analysts acknowledge that while MFC has experienced some recent challenges, especially in its U.S. operations and corrections after strong performances, it maintains a healthy growth outlook. Concerns about the overall market and macroeconomic factors have led to suggestions of caution, but many believe MFC's valuation is still attractive relative to its peers, particularly the banks. In the long term, it remains a compelling investment opportunity with the potential for growth, other factors such as credit risk being minimal.

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Consensus
Positive
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Valuation
Fair Value
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Similar
SLF
BUY
Recent break-out Jan. 23 to mid-April is the lifecos' (and banks') seasonality. The chart is setting up for a break-out as MFC approaches its highs of early-2018. Chart looks very good, and MFC will do pretty well.
TOP PICK
Superb dividend at 3.73%. Earning have steadily been rising and yet the price hasn't budged much in past year. Its rising fair market value is a good sign and it may go higher. (Analysts’ price target is $30.33)
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 15/19, Up 33%) You never know when is going to have a good year. They had been increasing their dividend on flat performance so the yield going into last year was well over 4%. He thinks the new management team is doing the right things. It is still discounted relative to its peers. We are unlikely to see another year of 33%.
BUY
It is a good company and he thinks it is going higher. They seem to be on a bit of a roll. You could take some profits if you wanted to.
BUY
MFC vs. CM They were late to get US exposure, which hurt them. Also, there's negativity towards CM's mortgage book. TD and RY remain the top Canadian banks, not CM. TD & RY are investing in tech, the future, which is smart. MFC: The lifecos have done well diversifying into asset management and into Asia. But with low interest rates, pricing insurance gets tougher and limits growth. You own lifecos for Asia and wealth management. Not CM, but buy TD and Royal.
BUY
We had a nice little bottom from August. It is at resistance. $26 has been a resistance since early 2018. As long as the stock market goes higher, it will be good for MFC-T. He likes the insurers over the financials. He only like US financials better that Canadian insurance companies. See his Top Picks today. (Analysts’ price target is $30.00)
COMMENT

Canada has four major life insurance companies. Since the financial crisis, Sun Life aas done the best. He does not see much change at Manulife so would prefer Sun Life.

COMMENT
Enter now for the long term? When interest rates are down, they hurt lifecos. But MFC beat their numbers handily last quarter. Asian operations are strong. He's neutral on insurance companies, because rates are so low. However, their valuation is cheap--but also cheap for so long. In 2020, he'll look at the lifecos again. Problem with lifecos is they're like a black box--you don't know what's inside sometimes.
HOLD
The history of what happened 10 years ago weighs on the minds of institutional investors. It is frustrating. At some point in time they should figure out a way to recognize the value.
BUY

MFC vs. SLF They're both good and relatively safe. They both have asset management businesses. Earnings growth will be 7-11% in 2020, which is far higher than the 1-3% for the banks. Also, they trade at single-digit multiples, cheap. According to book value, SLF is far more expensive, so he prefers MFC. MFC has more upside than SLF, but you're splitting hairs with these two.

TOP PICK
Pays a nice dividend. FMV is way above the current price, 167% higher. Good Balance sheet. Book value is in an uptrend. PB is very cheap. $26.50 is resistance, so watch that, but it has busted past that before. If so, it should reach $31-32. Are expanding international. Growing earnings. What's not to like. (Analysts’ price target is $29.91)
HOLD

The lifecos have done well this year, especially Sun-Life. Both offer relative safety and growth in Asia, especially MFC. Manulife isn't a tax-loss selling candidate.

COMMENT
He’s not sure about the next few months. Long term, they have growth potential in Asia. Interest rate is a bigger issue with insurance companies. The near term performance is closely related to interest rates so it depends how you think rates will go.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 15/19, Up 30%) He is not building more on it at these levels. You have a new management team who are quietly cleaning up the problems of the previous management. They are also doing some things to push the business forward on a long term basis. It's about time people started to own it.
HOLD
Canadian insurers have been the winners this year. Volatile for a while, but the stock has rallied. Growing by mid-single digit EPS, 13-14% ROE, growing dividend, trading at 1.1x book value. Just hold it for the dividend and ride it. No more catalysts this year, but it will eventually get into the 30s. (Analysts’ price target is $29.54)
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