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

Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)

61.99

-1.82 (2.85%)

as of Oct 23, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Closed.

1633 watching

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)

BUY

Take profits now? An income stock. Lifecos have done well this year, even though rates are low. MFC reported earnings last week and saw good growth in Asia. Their long-term growth prospects are positive. A long-term hold.

BUY

This would be the best of the life insurers. They have the cheapest valuation, the least leverage and the most opportunity for selling off legacy assets that are holding it back. It is a short term buy.

COMMENT

He used to own Manulife going into the financial crisis and have not looked at it since. It is pale in comparison to Sun Life.

HOLD

Selling insurance plus investments. Core business is doing well. Low interest rates are bad for them, but rates are not going lower. Don't rush out to sell. Good growth in core business. Good valuation. Growth in Asia.

HOLD

He almost picked MFC as a top pick, but it is moving to $25, so he chose another financial. Good earnings growth, mostly Asian. It will benefit from higher interest rates, so low rates prevent it from rising to $30. They will likely raise their dividend, so you can hold this for that dividend.

HOLD

Likes the name. Long-term, overseas operations will benefit the stock price. Insurers are doing better. Up 26% in last 12 months. Nice healthy dividend of 4.1%. (Analysts’ price target is $28.38)

BUY

MFC vs. Arc Arc is riskier while MFC is steadier. MFC is at an excellent price now, close to book value and offers a 12% ROE. Best in this sector with great Asian growth potential. They have a long way to sort out problems with long-term care in the U.S. Arc is good if you want more torque in your portfolio.

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Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)