Manulife Financial (MFC-T)

Doesn't own any lifecos right now. Asian demographics are advantageous. Canada is slow and a steady eddy. Doesn't particularly like US John Hancock business. Tantalizing dividend yield, but shares never seem to be able to break out of a range. Trade, not a long-term investment.

Book value is $30, and it's trading below that, so you have a chance to buy it below book value. Great dividend yield. Great business in Asia is undervalued and will continue to grow. Interest rates help. Fundamentals are really strong.

Up 7.7% total return over the last 12 months. Trades below book value. As Asia continues to grow, MFC is poised to do very well long term. Resistance around $28, but if it can break through that, it will do well and you get paid to wait. Great yield of 5.6%.

Asian franchise gives it good growth potential, and that area of the world is growing faster than the others. High quality. Very well managed. Good dividend yield.

Has been a top pick of his many times. Insurers report in the coming week and it will be a confusing quarter, because there are new reporting/accounting rules that will make earnings appear lower. SLF and Industrial Alliance have more weighting in Asia than MFC, so MFC might be less stable. Likes MFC. Pays a 5.4% dividend yield.

Stable, core holding. Diversifies away from concern over banks' loan losses. Issues with US legacy businesses. Likes Asian insurance operations, will drive earnings for the long term. Yield is 5.5%.

Performing pretty well. Big reopening in Asia is encouraging. Reasonable valuation. Dividend growth will continue. He prefers the P&C business as more rewarding than life insurance.

The chart had a decent upward move from October to early March, but has fallen since. Has now returned to its $24 December base. Is widely held by large institutions and pension funds. More than other insurers, MFC is so tied to the S&P. $24 is good to buy, but if that breaks, MFC could fall to $20.

Believes shares presenting good buying opportunity with fallout from Silicon Valley  Bank.
Strong management with large asset base (over $1.3 Trillion).
Higher interest rates are beneficial for insurance companies.
Aging global population will generate demand for wealth management services.
Trading at discount to net book value.
Paying ~5.9% dividend yield that is secure.

Organization that not able to generate real returns for a long time.
Would avoid buying company.
Dividend yield not worth investing in.
Better names in the sector to own.

Hold, or trade out at historic range top of around $27?

Forging a triple top. Lifecos in general have had a strong run, now taking a breather. Financials are getting hit hard today. Longer term, chart looks great. Great dividend. Add on weakness over the coming week or so. 

Great yield of 5.6%, increased by 11%. Buying back stock. Tough when rates were low, better now with higher rates. Fees from asset management have gone down with markets going down. Inexpensive at 8x earnings, 1.2x book. Great Asian franchise with lots of opportunity to upsell.

A great play on demographics and have very long-life insurance policies. Low interest rates dragged on this company, so rising rates will help. Exposure to Asia is another driver, which should see more life insurance sales as the standard of living rises there.