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

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Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)

54.00

+0.50 (0.93%)

as of Jun 5, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

1636 watching

Investor Insights

Jun 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.

Consensus

Positive

Valuation

Fair Value

Similar

SLF

BUY

How to collect the dividend? It should be no problem, unless you're enrolled in a DRIP. Their yield is 4% and they certainly pay it. Their payout ratio at only 9%, which they can easily maintain. Earnings are up 10% in the recent quarter with the company quarter expected to be up another 8%, but there'll be glacial growth in the coming year of 5%. ROE of 14% is reasonable. 2020's earnings growth expected to be 9%. 5-9% earnings growth is okay. Look out for what happens to interest rates and bond yields.

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DON'T BUY

Issue is the short report, though this has been resolved. Issue in general with insurers is they have difficult time making money in low interest rate environment. Trying to grow in Asia. Not expensive, and over 4% dividend yield. Hard to see where sustainable growth will come going forward. Good dividend yield and a bit of growth over time, but not an exciting growth story. It'll be stuck in the 20s.

BUY

The court ruled in MFC's favour and is now in the past. They just did an executive shake-up. He thinks MFC is going in the right direction, but keep an eye on it. Interest rates are pretty good now for the insurers. MFC has done a good job using automation to reduce costs.

BUY

SLF vs. MFC Owns MFC which has underformed SLF, so there's room for catch-up. MFC has a more attactive multiple. Its new CEO has boxed out legacy businesses to focus on growth in China which accounts for 25% of revenues. Trades at 8x forward earnings and 1x price-to-book. Also pays a good dividend.

HOLD

Short sellers? This has been a heart breaker through is career. One of Canada's largest companies and a bell weather for financials. He would buy it for the dividend and diversification away from the banks. It is unlikely to trade back to $30 soon. He would see $20 as key support.

TOP PICK

Just bought it yesterday. It broke their 200-day moving average. Insurance companies are performing well. 53% of their revenues are coming from Asia. Growing middle class n that area. 1.1 times PB. Discount to competitors and their 10 years average. Dividend yield of 4327% and P/E of 8x. (Analysts’ price target is $27.64)

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Aug 09/18, Down 5%) Shortly after that pick, the rogue short report came out, but MFC recently won that court case. MFC went through the ringer and has since (recently) bounced back. You'll do fine with this. They get a lot of growth out of Asia, and could spin off a division in the U.S. that could create shareholder value. A good Canadian investment with exposure abroad. He also owns SunLife, but MFC offers more growth. Lifecos are a good space to invest a little money in.

TOP PICK

The headwinds are now behind them. Offers good international exposure, upside and yield. Also a past top pick. A solid buy and hold. (Analysts’ price target is $27.64)

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TOP PICK

The valuation is very compelling, at under 10x next year's earnings. It's strengthened its balance sheet. Asian operations. He expects more dividend increases. (Analysts’ price target is $27.68)

RISKY

SLF vs. MFC MFC is the trading stock vs. SLF is the holding stock (more than a year). Long-term, SLF has a smooth chart, and MFC has been jumpy--but you can make money on those big swings.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick May 25/18, Down 2%) MFC will come back. It trades at 10x earnings and pays over 4% yield. Peers trade at 20x earnings. The lawsuit is now gone, so this will now rise. Even now is a good entry point even though it rose 1.5% today alone.

STRONG BUY

A court dismissed a case against MFC which boosted the stock today. He likes MFC a lot. The litigation overhang is now gone. He's surprised it didn't pop more than 3.3% today, but will carry through. Lifecos do well during rising rates, but those are sluggish now. Their balance sheet in Q4 was sector-best. Asian growth is up 23% year over year. Wealth and asset management was up 17%. He sees EPS 10% growth and 9% dividend growth, trading at 7.2x PE 2020. It's way too cheap. He was buying it today.

HOLD

Manulife Floating Rate Senior Loan Fund (MFR-UN.TO) Insurers are a good place to be as interest rates rise eventually. He slightly prefers Sunlife and the banks. The capital markets remain strong. The 5- and 10-year yield curve need to steepen for lifecos to really benefit. MFR's 8.8% dividend is safe and this space is safe.

WATCH

Manulife vs Sun Life He does not own any Life Co's now but are looking at them. Probably have more torque to upside with Manulife compared to Sun Life. He has not pulled the trigger on this yet, but is watching. He wants to see a little more direction on interest rates before they buy. They do well when interest rates go up.

BUY

Likes it. Canadian financials had a gift in Q4. The short report, he can't comment on it because he doesn't know enough. They've been executing well and buying back an insane number of shares. It's one of his largest positions. He liked their last quarter and they will continue buybacks.

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Manulife Financial (MFC.TO)