Signaturefd LLC Has $1.60 Million Stock Holdings in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC)

Signaturefd LLC grew its position in Manulife Financial Co. (NYSE:MFC) (TSE:MFC) by 1.4% during the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 52,000 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after purchasing an additional 714 shares during the period. Signaturefd LLC’s holdings in Manulife Financial were worth $1,597,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds also recently made changes to their positions in MFC. Brooklyn Investment Group acquired a new position in Manulife Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $26,000. Crews Bank & Trust acquired a new position in Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Stonebridge Financial Group LLC acquired a new position in Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $34,000. Golden State Wealth Management LLC acquired a new position in Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $35,000. Finally, CKW Financial Group acquired a new position in Manulife Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $37,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.56% of the company’s stock.

Manulife Financial Trading Up 2.3 %

Shares of NYSE:MFC opened at $30.14 on Tuesday. The stock has a market capitalization of $51.91 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.56, a P/E/G ratio of 1.11 and a beta of 1.05. Manulife Financial Co. has a 1-year low of $22.61 and a 1-year high of $33.07. The business has a 50-day moving average price of $30.06 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $30.23.

Manulife Financial (NYSE:MFC) (TSE:MFC) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 19th. The financial services provider reported $0.74 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.67 by $0.07. The firm had revenue of $9.31 billion during the quarter. Manulife Financial had a return on equity of 15.98% and a net margin of 10.08%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Manulife Financial Co. will post 2.87 EPS for the current year.

Manulife Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Wednesday, March 19th. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, March 5th will be issued a dividend of $0.3094 per share. This is a boost from Manulife Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. This represents a $1.24 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.11%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, March 5th. Manulife Financial’s payout ratio is currently 58.45%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Several research analysts recently issued reports on MFC shares. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price target on shares of Manulife Financial from $49.00 to $51.00 and gave the stock an “outperform” rating in a research report on Friday, February 21st. Scotiabank reiterated an “outperform” rating on shares of Manulife Financial in a research report on Monday, February 3rd. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a hold rating, four have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock has a consensus rating of “Buy” and an average target price of $45.50.

About Manulife Financial

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.