World Investment Advisors LLC Has $365,000 Stake in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

World Investment Advisors LLC grew its stake in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC) (TSE:MFC) by 30.1% in the third quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 12,351 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 2,860 shares during the period. World Investment Advisors LLC’s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $365,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Several other large investors also recently made changes to their positions in MFC. Grove Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Manulife Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at $25,000. West Financial Advisors LLC bought a new stake in Manulife Financial during the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new stake in shares of Manulife Financial in the third quarter valued at about $26,000. Addison Advisors LLC lifted its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 77.2% during the 2nd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,072 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $29,000 after purchasing an additional 467 shares during the last quarter. Finally, HHM Wealth Advisors LLC boosted its stake in Manulife Financial by 119.0% during the 2nd quarter. HHM Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,104 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $29,000 after purchasing an additional 600 shares during the period. Institutional investors own 52.56% of the company’s stock.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Barclays began coverage on Manulife Financial in a research report on Thursday, September 5th. They issued an “equal weight” rating on the stock. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, five have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, Manulife Financial currently has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $37.50.

Manulife Financial Stock Down 3.4 %

MFC stock opened at $29.70 on Thursday. Manulife Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $20.78 and a twelve month high of $33.07. The company has a market cap of $52.03 billion, a PE ratio of 14.35, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.16 and a beta of 1.09. The business’s 50-day simple moving average is $31.23 and its 200 day simple moving average is $28.40.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC) (TSE:MFC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, November 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.00 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.70 by $0.30. The company had revenue of $10.69 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $9.73 billion. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 16.11% and a net margin of 9.79%. During the same quarter last year, the firm earned $0.69 EPS. On average, equities research analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.72 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, December 19th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, November 20th will be paid a $0.296 dividend. This is a boost from Manulife Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.29. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, November 20th. This represents a $1.18 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 3.99%. Manulife Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 57.00%.

Manulife Financial Profile

Manulife Financial Corporation, together with its subsidiaries, provides financial products and services in the United States, Canada, Asia, and internationally. The company operates through Wealth and Asset Management Businesses; Insurance and Annuity Products; and Corporate and Other segments. The Wealth and Asset Management Businesses segment offers investment advice and solutions to retirement, retail, and institutional clients through multiple distribution channels, including agents and brokers affiliated with the company, independent securities brokerage firms and financial advisors pension plan consultants, and banks.