Manulife Financial Plans to Buy Back 42 Million Shares
Written by Emily J. Thompson, Senior Investment Analyst
Updated: 3 days ago
0mins
Should l Buy MFC?
Source: Newsfilter
- Buyback Overview: Manulife Financial Corporation intends to initiate a Normal Course Issuer Bid on the Toronto Stock Exchange, allowing for the repurchase of up to 42 million common shares, representing approximately 2.5% of its issued shares, to enhance capital management flexibility.
- Regulatory Approval: The buyback plan has been approved by the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions in Canada and is expected to commence on February 24, 2026, continuing until February 23, 2027, with all repurchased shares to be cancelled.
- Market Operation Strategy: Manulife will conduct repurchases through the TSX, NYSE, and alternative trading systems at market prices, and may also acquire shares directly from other holders via private agreements to achieve more flexible capital allocation.
- Historical Buyback Performance: In its 2025 buyback program, Manulife successfully repurchased 51.5 million shares at an average price of $44.28 per share, demonstrating the company's proactive strategy in capital management and commitment to shareholder value.
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Analyst Views on MFC
Wall Street analysts forecast MFC stock price to rise
11 Analyst Rating
9 Buy
2 Hold
0 Sell
Strong Buy
Current: 35.810
Low
37.21
Averages
40.09
High
51.00
Current: 35.810
Low
37.21
Averages
40.09
High
51.00
About MFC
Manulife Financial Corporation is an international financial services provider. It provides financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Its segments include Wealth and asset management businesses (Global WAM), Insurance and annuity products (Asia, Canada and U.S.), and the Corporate and Other segment. Wealth and asset management businesses branded as Manulife Investment Management, provide investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients. It also includes Manulife Comvest Credit Partners, a private credit asset management platform. Insurance and annuity products include a variety of individual life insurance, individual and group long-term care insurance and guaranteed and partially guaranteed annuity products. Products are distributed through multiple distribution channels, including insurance agents, brokers, banks, financial planners and direct marketing.
About the author
Emily J. Thompson
Emily J. Thompson, a Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) with 12 years in investment research, graduated with honors from the Wharton School. Specializing in industrial and technology stocks, she provides in-depth analysis for Intellectia’s earnings and market brief reports.
Manulife Financial Reports Q4 Core Earnings
- Core Earnings Performance: Manulife Financial reported Q4 core earnings of CAD 1.12 (approximately USD 0.82) per share on Wednesday, reflecting the company's stability amidst market volatility, despite ongoing economic uncertainties.
- Market Reaction: While core earnings met market expectations, investor confidence in future growth remains challenged, which could impact the company's stock price in the short term, especially against a backdrop of rising interest rates.
- Business Outlook: The company did not provide specific future guidance in its report, potentially leading to market concerns regarding its long-term growth prospects, particularly in an increasingly competitive insurance industry.
- Financial Health: Manulife's financial health remains robust; despite external challenges, the stability of its core earnings offers a degree of security for investors, potentially attracting those seeking stable returns.
See More
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- Financial Report Submission: Manulife Financial has filed its 2025 audited financial statements and related MD&A with securities regulators, ensuring transparency and compliance with Canadian and U.S. securities regulations.
- Information Accessibility: Investors can request hard copies of the financial report for free through Manulife's website, enhancing shareholder understanding and trust in the company's financial health.
- Global Business Overview: With over 37,000 employees and more than 109,000 agents serving over 36 million customers, Manulife demonstrates its significant influence in the international financial services sector.
- Diverse Service Offerings: Through its Wealth & Asset Management division, the company provides global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members, further solidifying its market position.
See More
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- Strong Earnings Performance: Manulife Financial (MFC) reported a Q4 core EPS of C$1.12, surpassing the analyst consensus of C$1.06, although it decreased from C$1.16 in Q3, indicating robust growth in its Asia and Global Wealth and Asset Management sectors.
- Dividend Increase and Buyback Program: The company announced a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend and initiated a new normal course issuer bid program allowing for the repurchase of up to 2.5% of its outstanding common shares, aimed at enhancing shareholder returns and boosting market confidence.
- Challenges in Wealth Management: The Global Wealth and Asset Management business faced net outflows of C$9.5 billion in Q4, an increase from C$6.2 billion in the previous quarter, reflecting pressures in the market environment and changing liquidity demands from clients.
- New Business Value Fluctuations: The new business contractual service margin (CSM) rose to C$1.02 billion from C$965 million in Q3, although the new business value decreased from C$906 million to C$874 million, highlighting the mixed challenges and opportunities in the company's new business development efforts.
See More
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- Full-Year Earnings Growth: Manulife Financial reported earnings of C$5.572 billion for 2023, translating to C$3.07 per share, which marks an increase from last year's C$5.385 billion and C$2.84 per share, indicating a robust performance in the financial sector.
- Adjusted Earnings Performance: Excluding certain items, the company achieved adjusted earnings of C$7.521 billion or C$4.21 per share, reflecting strong growth in core operations and reinforcing its competitive position in the financial services industry.
- Significant Revenue Increase: Manulife's revenue rose by 8.6% to C$28.888 billion from C$26.592 billion last year, showcasing the company's success in meeting customer demand and expanding its market presence.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With both earnings and revenue growth, Manulife demonstrates a strong market outlook, likely to attract investor interest and drive stock price appreciation, thereby enhancing its influence in the financial market.
See More
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- Dividend Increase: Manulife Financial has announced a 10.2% increase in its quarterly common shareholders' dividend, raising it to $0.485 per share, payable on March 19, 2026, which reflects the company's strong financial health and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Shareholder Return Plans: The company will purchase common shares on the open market as part of its Canadian and U.S. Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plans, ensuring shareholders can reinvest at an average cost, thereby enhancing shareholder value.
- Global Business Overview: Manulife operates as a leading financial services provider globally, with over 37,000 employees and 36 million customers, showcasing its strong influence and service capabilities in international markets, supporting sustained growth.
- Market Performance: Trading on multiple exchanges, including Toronto, New York, and the Philippines, the dividend increase may attract more investor attention, potentially boosting the company's stock market performance and investor confidence.
See More
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- Dividend Announcement: Manulife Financial Corporation's Board of Directors has announced a quarterly dividend payment scheduled for March 19, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Specific Dividend Amounts: The dividend for Class A Shares Series 2 is set at $0.29063 per share, Series 3 at $0.28125, and Class 1 Shares Series 3 at $0.14675, indicating strong cash flow stability and profitability.
- Record Date for Shareholders: The dividend payment will be based on shareholders recorded as of February 25, 2026, ensuring compliance and protecting shareholder rights, which enhances investor confidence.
- Company Background: Manulife Financial operates globally with over 37,000 employees and 36 million customers, showcasing its strength and market influence as a leading international financial services provider.
See More
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- Core Earnings Performance: Manulife Financial reported Q4 core earnings of CAD 1.12 (approximately USD 0.82) per share on Wednesday, reflecting the company's stability amidst market volatility, despite ongoing economic uncertainties.
- Market Reaction: While core earnings met market expectations, investor confidence in future growth remains challenged, which could impact the company's stock price in the short term, especially against a backdrop of rising interest rates.
- Business Outlook: The company did not provide specific future guidance in its report, potentially leading to market concerns regarding its long-term growth prospects, particularly in an increasingly competitive insurance industry.
- Financial Health: Manulife's financial health remains robust; despite external challenges, the stability of its core earnings offers a degree of security for investors, potentially attracting those seeking stable returns.
See More
Manulife Financial Releases 2025 Audited Financial Statements
- Financial Report Submission: Manulife Financial has filed its 2025 audited financial statements and related MD&A with securities regulators, ensuring transparency and compliance with Canadian and U.S. securities regulations.
- Information Accessibility: Investors can request hard copies of the financial report for free through Manulife's website, enhancing shareholder understanding and trust in the company's financial health.
- Global Business Overview: With over 37,000 employees and more than 109,000 agents serving over 36 million customers, Manulife demonstrates its significant influence in the international financial services sector.
- Diverse Service Offerings: Through its Wealth & Asset Management division, the company provides global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members, further solidifying its market position.
See More
Manulife Financial Q4 Earnings Beat Expectations
- Strong Earnings Performance: Manulife Financial (MFC) reported a Q4 core EPS of C$1.12, surpassing the analyst consensus of C$1.06, although it decreased from C$1.16 in Q3, indicating robust growth in its Asia and Global Wealth and Asset Management sectors.
- Dividend Increase and Buyback Program: The company announced a 10% increase in its quarterly dividend and initiated a new normal course issuer bid program allowing for the repurchase of up to 2.5% of its outstanding common shares, aimed at enhancing shareholder returns and boosting market confidence.
- Challenges in Wealth Management: The Global Wealth and Asset Management business faced net outflows of C$9.5 billion in Q4, an increase from C$6.2 billion in the previous quarter, reflecting pressures in the market environment and changing liquidity demands from clients.
- New Business Value Fluctuations: The new business contractual service margin (CSM) rose to C$1.02 billion from C$965 million in Q3, although the new business value decreased from C$906 million to C$874 million, highlighting the mixed challenges and opportunities in the company's new business development efforts.
See More
Manulife Financial Reports Significant Earnings Growth for 2023
- Full-Year Earnings Growth: Manulife Financial reported earnings of C$5.572 billion for 2023, translating to C$3.07 per share, which marks an increase from last year's C$5.385 billion and C$2.84 per share, indicating a robust performance in the financial sector.
- Adjusted Earnings Performance: Excluding certain items, the company achieved adjusted earnings of C$7.521 billion or C$4.21 per share, reflecting strong growth in core operations and reinforcing its competitive position in the financial services industry.
- Significant Revenue Increase: Manulife's revenue rose by 8.6% to C$28.888 billion from C$26.592 billion last year, showcasing the company's success in meeting customer demand and expanding its market presence.
- Optimistic Market Outlook: With both earnings and revenue growth, Manulife demonstrates a strong market outlook, likely to attract investor interest and drive stock price appreciation, thereby enhancing its influence in the financial market.
See More
Manulife Increases Quarterly Dividend by 10.2%
- Dividend Increase: Manulife Financial has announced a 10.2% increase in its quarterly common shareholders' dividend, raising it to $0.485 per share, payable on March 19, 2026, which reflects the company's strong financial health and commitment to shareholder returns.
- Shareholder Return Plans: The company will purchase common shares on the open market as part of its Canadian and U.S. Dividend Reinvestment and Share Purchase Plans, ensuring shareholders can reinvest at an average cost, thereby enhancing shareholder value.
- Global Business Overview: Manulife operates as a leading financial services provider globally, with over 37,000 employees and 36 million customers, showcasing its strong influence and service capabilities in international markets, supporting sustained growth.
- Market Performance: Trading on multiple exchanges, including Toronto, New York, and the Philippines, the dividend increase may attract more investor attention, potentially boosting the company's stock market performance and investor confidence.
See More
Manulife Announces Quarterly Dividend Distribution
- Dividend Announcement: Manulife Financial Corporation's Board of Directors has announced a quarterly dividend payment scheduled for March 19, 2026, reflecting the company's ongoing commitment to shareholder returns.
- Specific Dividend Amounts: The dividend for Class A Shares Series 2 is set at $0.29063 per share, Series 3 at $0.28125, and Class 1 Shares Series 3 at $0.14675, indicating strong cash flow stability and profitability.
- Record Date for Shareholders: The dividend payment will be based on shareholders recorded as of February 25, 2026, ensuring compliance and protecting shareholder rights, which enhances investor confidence.
- Company Background: Manulife Financial operates globally with over 37,000 employees and 36 million customers, showcasing its strength and market influence as a leading international financial services provider.
See More
