Graham Capital Management L.P. Has $6.16 Million Stock Holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

Graham Capital Management L.P. trimmed its stake in shares of Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC) (TSE:MFC) by 4.7% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 200,441 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 9,795 shares during the quarter. Graham Capital Management L.P.’s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $6,156,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission.

Several other large investors also recently modified their holdings of MFC. Little House Capital LLC grew its position in Manulife Financial by 1.0% in the fourth quarter. Little House Capital LLC now owns 33,767 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $1,037,000 after acquiring an additional 331 shares during the period. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC boosted its stake in shares of Manulife Financial by 1.5% in the 4th quarter. Robertson Stephens Wealth Management LLC now owns 23,068 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $708,000 after purchasing an additional 339 shares in the last quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH grew its holdings in shares of Manulife Financial by 0.6% in the 4th quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH now owns 69,300 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $2,133,000 after purchasing an additional 400 shares during the last quarter. TIAA Trust National Association increased its position in shares of Manulife Financial by 5.0% during the 4th quarter. TIAA Trust National Association now owns 8,419 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $259,000 after purchasing an additional 404 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Addison Advisors LLC lifted its holdings in Manulife Financial by 45.9% during the 4th quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 1,428 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $44,000 after purchasing an additional 449 shares during the last quarter. 52.56% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors.

Manulife Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:MFC opened at $30.90 on Friday. The business has a fifty day moving average of $29.82 and a 200-day moving average of $30.46. Manulife Financial Co. has a twelve month low of $23.30 and a twelve month high of $33.07. The firm has a market cap of $52.92 billion, a PE ratio of 14.93, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.00.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC) (TSE:MFC) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 7th. The financial services provider reported $0.69 earnings per share for the quarter, missing the consensus estimate of $0.70 by ($0.01). Manulife Financial had a net margin of 10.08% and a return on equity of 15.98%. The company had revenue of $1.49 billion during the quarter. During the same period in the previous year, the firm earned $0.94 EPS. On average, analysts anticipate that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.87 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Thursday, June 19th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 21st will be issued a $0.3194 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 21st. This represents a $1.28 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.13%. This is a positive change from Manulife Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.31. Manulife Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 63.35%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

MFC has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Scotiabank reaffirmed an “outperform” rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research note on Monday, February 3rd. Royal Bank of Canada boosted their target price on Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a report on Friday, February 21st. One research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, three have assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $45.50.

Manulife Financial Company 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.