Is Manulife stock a buy right now?
As of early May 2025, Manulife Financial Corporation (TSX: MFC) is trading at approximately $42.25 CAD, supported by a solid average daily trading volume of around 2.59 million shares. Investors have responded positively to a series of robust financial reports: core earnings for 2024 climbed 8% to $7.2 billion, and net income rose to $5.4 billion. Recent highlights include a 10% increase in quarterly dividends, bold expansion into Asia, and completion of industry-leading reinsurance deals. The company’s strategic acquisition of CQS, a respected UK credit manager, and over $600 million in digital benefits last year further signal actively managed, sustainable growth. Although moderate volatility persists in the sector, Manulife’s positioning above key moving averages and a constructive technical outlook point to underlying momentum. Positive sentiment is echoed by a consensus from over 32 leading national and international banks, who set a target price near $55 CAD. In the evolving Canadian and global insurance sector, Manulife stands out for its steady profitability, technological innovation, and expanding international footprint—factors that suggest compelling opportunities for long-term investors considering fresh positions.
- Strong 2024 financial results: 8% core earnings and 11% core EPS growth year-over-year.
- Attractive 4.16% forward dividend yield with 10 years of consistent dividend increases.
- Continued expansion in high-growth Asian markets, driving topline and earnings momentum.
- Ongoing digital transformation and adoption of generative AI across business processes.
- Market leadership in major reinsurance transactions, strengthening capital and resilience.
- Exposure to interest rate fluctuations could impact future investment income.
- Regulatory changes and global tax reforms may moderately influence earnings variability.
- What is Manulife?
- How much is Manulife stock?
- Our full analysis on Manulife </b>stock
- How to buy Manulife stock in Canada?
- Our 7 tips for buying Manulife stock
- The latest news about Manulife
- FAQ
Why trust HelloSafe?
At HelloSafe, our expert has been closely monitoring Manulife's performance for more than three years. Each month, hundreds of thousands of Canadians rely on us to interpret market trends and uncover the best investment opportunities. Our analyses are provided solely for informational purposes and do not qualify as investment advice. In line with our ethical guidelines, we have never been, and will never be, paid or compensated by Manulife.
What is Manulife?
| Indicator | Value | Analysis |
|---|---|---|
| 🏳️ Nationality | Canadian | Headquartered in Toronto, Manulife is a major Canadian multinational financial institution. |
| 💼 Market | TSX: MFC, NYSE: MFC | Stock trades in both Canada and the U.S., increasing exposure and liquidity. |
| 🏛️ ISIN code | CA56501R1064 | Unique identifier for Manulife’s listed shares ensures recognition on global exchanges. |
| 👤 CEO | Roy Gori | Roy Gori has led the company since 2017, focusing on digital and Asian market expansion. |
| 🏢 Market cap | $73.37 billion CAD | Large cap status reflects market leadership; signals stability and broad investor trust. |
| 📈 Revenue | $69.3 billion CAD (2024) | High revenue base demonstrates scale, yet low-margin environment is a persistent challenge. |
| 💹 EBITDA | $11.3 billion CAD (2024, est.) | Healthy EBITDA supports dividend growth and reinvestment; margin improvements are ongoing. |
| 📊 P/E Ratio (Price/Earnings) | 15.04 | Valuation is in line with global peers; implies balanced investor expectations. |
How much is Manulife stock?
The price of Manulife stock is rising this week. As of now, Manulife trades at $42.25 CAD per share, reflecting a 24-hour gain of +0.72% and a weekly increase of +2.09%. The company holds a market capitalization of $73.37 billion CAD, with an average three-month trading volume of about 2.59 million shares. Investors should note a P/E ratio of 15.04, a forward dividend yield of 4.16%, and a stock beta of 0.93, indicating below-market volatility. The combination of steady gains and a reliable dividend yield positions Manulife as a compelling choice for Canadian investors seeking balanced growth and income.
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Having thoroughly examined Manulife Financial Corporation’s latest financial statements, stock performance trends over the last three years, and aggregated a broad array of market, technical, and peer analyses via our proprietary quantitative algorithms, we present an in-depth exploration of MFC’s current positioning. This assessment focuses on a combination of robust financial indicators, compelling technical momentum, and evolving sector dynamics. So, why might Manulife stock once again become a strategic entry point into the global insurance and financial services sector in 2025?
Recent Performance and Market Context
Manulife’s share price has reflected notable resilience and upward momentum amid a volatile macroeconomic backdrop. As of May 2025, the stock trades at $30.84 USD ($42.25 CAD), near the upper end of its 52-week range ($23.30–$33.07 USD), having gained over 13.8% in the last six months. This positive trend significantly outpaces the broader TSX Financials sub-index during the same period and demonstrates renewed investor confidence.
Several positive catalysts have shaped the recent narrative:
- Record Earnings: 2024 saw Manulife deliver record core earnings of $7.2 billion (up 8% YoY) and net income of $5.4 billion, even as global markets exhibited volatility.
- Dividend Strength: The board’s 10% dividend increase in February 2025—now yielding a forward 4.16%—stands as a remarkable statement of intent, particularly within the context of persistent low-to-moderate interest rates.
- Shareholder Alignment: The launch of a new Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB), authorizing repurchasing up to 3% of outstanding shares, supports capital returns and balance sheet optimization.
Macroeconomically, the Canadian financials sector has entered 2025 buoyed by stabilizing interest rates, robust capital adequacy, and strong wealth/insurance demand in Asia and core markets. As digital adoption mounts and capital flows rotate toward dividend growth equities, Manulife appears especially well-positioned to benefit.
Technical Analysis
A discernible technical strength underpins MFC’s present trajectory. Notably, the stock is trading well above its 20-, 50-, and 200-day moving averages—currently at $29.13, $29.87, and $29.46 USD, respectively. This positive relationship suggests a mature and broad-based bullish phase, consistent with breakout setups frequently associated with sustained rallies in large-cap financials.
Key technical indicators reinforce this stance:
- RSI (14-day): At 58.24%, the RSI sits in a neutral–positive zone, below overbought territory, hinting at further upside potential before technical exhaustion emerges.
- MACD: The 12,26,9 MACD stands at +1.19, confirming a clean bullish cross and continuation pattern.
- Support/Resistance: Strong technical support is evident near $30.62 USD, with initial upside resistance at $31.12 USD—a modest gap suggesting an approachable test of new highs.
- Stochastics: Elevated %K readings (96.66%) signal short-term enthusiasm but invite orderly rotation rather than speculative excess.
- ATR: Moderate volatility (0.90) fosters dynamic yet stable trading conditions, encouraging both tactical and strategic positioning.
In summary, Manulife’s technical outlook is defined by momentum preservation, positive price structure, and a constructive risk/reward skew for buyers attentive to support retests or post-catalyst surges.
Fundamental Analysis
Manulife’s 2024 fundamentals present a compelling case that stands out, even within a competitive global insurance landscape:
- Revenue and Profits: Annual core earnings expanded by 8% YoY, with core EPS climbing 11% and net income rising to $5.4 billion. Particularly notable is the 16.4% Core ROE, surpassing both historical averages and many international peers.
- Efficiency and Capital Strength: The LICAT ratio of 137% highlights exceptional solvency and prudent risk management—critical in an era of evolving regulatory requirements.
- Valuation: At a P/E of 15.04 and a Price/Book of 1.83, Manulife is attractively valued relative to both Canadian and global insurance majors, especially when compared with the sector median north of 17x earnings.
- Growth Engines: Double-digit APE sales, robust new business value, and substantial net inflows in Global Wealth & Asset Management ($13+ billion) underpin high-quality, diversified organic growth. Asia produced a 27% leap in core earnings, confirming the company’s successful pivot toward high-momentum emerging markets.
- Brand and Market Leadership: Manulife’s operational reach—spanning North America and high-growth Asian geographies—combines brand strength with regulatory and actuarial expertise, consolidating its defensive and growth characteristics.
- Dividend Stability: The payout ratio remains conservative (under 40%), ensuring ample headroom for both future increases and reinvestment.
This blend of prudent financial stewardship, diversified earnings, and disciplined capital allocation firmly underlines why renewed interest in Manulife’s equity is fundamentally justified, especially for investors seeking balanced risk/reward profiles.
Volume and Liquidity
Consistently robust trading volumes—averaging 2.59 million shares daily—underscore deep institutional and retail participation. Such liquidity provides favorable conditions for dynamic price discovery, tight bid-ask spreads, and efficient entry/exit strategies.
Notably, the float composition is optimal for valuation rerating: with continued share repurchases via the NCIB, supply/demand technicals are supportive of upward price pressure, further aligning management’s capital return program with shareholder interests.
Catalysts and Positive Outlook
A suite of catalysts positions Manulife for compelling upside in 2025 and beyond:
- Strategic Transactions: Industry-leading legacy LTC and universal life reinsurance deals unlock risk efficiency and long-term profitability, while the acquisition of UK-based CQS accelerates cross-border asset management growth.
- Asian Expansion: Leveraging the Manulife Pro platform in Indonesia, Japan, and Hong Kong, coupled with strong new business sales, reinforces the company’s dominant Asian footprint—a region expected to drive outsized sector growth for the coming decade.
- Digital Transformation and AI: Digital initiative rollouts generated $600+ million in 2024 benefits, while generative AI adoption (27 use cases live, 32 in development) is enhancing operational efficiency, claim processes, and customer engagement.
- ESG and Client-Focused Innovations: Manulife’s commitment to sustainable investing and high-net-worth customer strategies positions it favorably in a sector facing increased scrutiny and evolving client preferences.
- Shareholder Actions: Further dividend growth and active share buybacks provide tangible near-term catalysts—often a precursor to positive sentiment and re-rating from value-focused institutions.
- Upcoming Results: The forthcoming Q1 2025 report (due May 7) is likely to confirm ongoing earnings momentum and offer additional color on growth strategies and cost discipline.
Against a backdrop of constructive regulatory and macroeconomic trends, these initiatives place Manulife in an advantageous position to capture value-creating opportunities as the competitive landscape evolves.
Investment Strategies
Whether one’s horizon is short, medium, or long term, several strategic rationales support consideration of Manulife at current levels:
- Short-Term: The present technical set-up—with the stock consolidating just below resistance and Q1 earnings on the near-term horizon—offers tactical traders the prospect of momentum-driven entries, particularly on successful retests of the $30.62 USD support or breakouts above $31.12 USD.
- Medium-Term: The combination of accelerating earnings, ongoing asset management inflows, and active share buybacks supports the thesis for positioning ahead of anticipated analyst upgrades or sector ETF inflows.
- Long-Term: For buy-and-hold investors, Manulife’s attractive entry valuation, robust dividend (4.16% yield with demonstrated growth), geographically diversified profit streams, and demonstrated digital transformation progress create a core holding well suited to capturing the sector’s multi-year structural tailwinds.
Importantly, the technical and fundamental profiles are converging at a potential inflection point—a scenario known for producing outsized gains as underlying themes transition from skeptical to consensus bullish narratives.
Is It the Right Time to Buy Manulife?
Synthesizing these elements, Manulife stands out as a uniquely attractive proposition within the Canadian financial landscape:
- Strong earnings growth and disciplined capital allocation.
- Attractive dividend yield, recently increased and well covered.
- Clear upward price momentum, technical support, and liquidity depth.
- Ongoing innovation, sector-leading international expansion, and digitally enabled efficiency gains.
- Management alignment through share buybacks and a prudent risk framework.
- Highly favorable positioning ahead of upcoming results and multiple strategic catalysts.
For investors seeking quality, stability, and upside potential in a global financial leader, Manulife stock seems to represent an excellent opportunity in 2025. The convergence of bullish technicals, fundamental resilience, and unique growth drivers justifies serious consideration, particularly as the company enters a new phase of shareholder value creation. In a market increasingly rewarding discipline, innovation, and geographic scale, Manulife’s current profile may well signal a new era of outperformance—and astute investors will be watching this entry point closely.
How to buy Manulife stock in Canada?
Buying Manulife shares online is both straightforward and secure for Canadian investors, thanks to regulated brokers and user-friendly platforms. You have two main ways to invest: spot buying (outright purchase of shares) or trading Contracts for Difference (CFDs), which allow you to speculate on price movements without owning the stock. Both methods have their merits, depending on your goals and risk appetite. To help you choose the right platform for your needs, you’ll find a detailed broker comparison further down the page.
Spot Buying
A spot purchase means you buy Manulife (TSX: MFC) shares outright and become a direct shareholder, eligible for dividends and voting rights. Most Canadian brokers charge a fixed commission per transaction, typically around $5–$10 CAD per order. Let’s look at a concrete example:
- If the Manulife share price is $42.25 CAD, you can purchase approximately 23 shares with a $1,000 CAD investment, factoring in a typical $5 brokerage commission.
Gain Scenario Example
✔️ Gain scenario:
If the share price rises by 10%, your shares now total $1,100 CAD in value.
Result: You realize a $100 gross gain — a return of +10% on your investment (excluding taxes and fees).
Trading via CFD
CFD trading (Contracts for Difference) allows you to speculate on Manulife’s share price without owning the underlying shares. CFDs are leveraged products: you put down a fraction of the position’s value as margin. Instead of a direct commission, brokers charge a spread (the difference between buy and sell price), plus overnight financing if positions are held beyond a trading day.
For example:
- With a $1,000 CAD margin and 5x leverage, you control $5,000 CAD worth of Manulife exposure.
Gain Scenario Example
✔️ Gain scenario:
If Manulife stock rises by 8%, your position increases by 8% × 5 = 40%.
Result: That’s a $400 gain on your $1,000 stake (excluding the spread and overnight fees).
Final Advice
Before you invest, it’s important to compare the fees, features, and trading conditions offered by different brokers—these can significantly impact your results over time. Whether you opt for spot buying for stability and dividends, or choose CFDs for flexibility and leverage, the best method depends on your own financial objectives and tolerance for risk. To help you make an informed choice, be sure to check out our comprehensive broker comparison further down the page.
Our 7 tips for buying Manulife stock
| 📊 Step | 📝 Specific tip for Manulife |
|---|---|
| Analyze the market | Examine Manulife’s strong growth in core earnings, global expansion—especially in Asia—and its positive technical trend above key moving averages to assess a favorable entry point. |
| Choose the right trading platform | Select a Canadian platform that provides access to the TSX (for CAD) or NYSE (for USD), allows trading of Manulife shares, and supports dividend reinvestment for Canadian investors. |
| Define your investment budget | Determine how much of your portfolio to allocate by considering Manulife’s moderate beta (0.93), stable dividend, and eligibility for registered accounts like RRSPs and TFSAs. |
| Choose a strategy (short or long term) | Consider a long-term strategy to benefit from Manulife’s 10-year dividend growth, robust presence in Asia, and digital transformation initiatives. |
| Monitor news and financial results | Stay updated with Manulife’s quarterly earnings, dividend announcements, and strategic moves such as reinsurance agreements and acquisitions, which can affect stock performance. |
| Use risk management tools | Set stop-loss limits to reduce downside risk, especially around major earnings reports or market volatility, and use asset diversification to balance exposure. |
| Sell at the right time | Plan to take profits when technical indicators show potential overbought conditions, or before regulatory or tax changes that could impact Manulife’s business. |
The latest news about Manulife
Manulife’s stock reached a new 52-week high on strong recent price performance and market momentum. In the past week, Manulife stock advanced by 2.09%, trading above its short- and long-term moving averages, and currently sits at $42.25 CAD, near the upper end of its 52-week range. The stock’s price action is supported by bullish technical signals, including a positive MACD and an RSI in neutral territory, indicating balanced momentum and healthy investor demand. This sustained momentum and outperformance versus the sector highlight investor confidence in the company’s growth initiatives and outlook, particularly for Canadian shareholders.
Manulife announced a 10% dividend increase, benefiting Canadian income-focused investors with enhanced yield. On February 19, 2025, Manulife’s board declared a dividend increase to $0.44 CAD per share, representing a forward yield of 4.16%. This marks the company’s tenth consecutive year of dividend growth and reflects robust capital generation, with the payout ratio remaining conservative at 39.92%. The higher dividend is especially attractive to Canadian investors, including those holding shares in registered plans such as RRSPs and TFSAs, amplifying the appeal of Manulife as a stable, long-term holding within domestic portfolios.
Record core earnings and insurance new business growth signal strong operational performance in Canada and globally. For the full year 2024, Manulife reported $7.2 billion in core earnings (an 8% year-over-year increase) and delivered record insurance sales, with more than 30% growth across new business metrics. Net income reached $5.4 billion, while the company’s core return on equity stood at 16.4%, underscoring profitability and efficiency. These results were driven in part by robust Canadian market contributions as well as Manulife’s expanding footprint in Asia and global asset management, offering a solid foundation for future value creation for Canadian stakeholders.
Manulife completed the largest life and long-term care (LTC) reinsurance transaction in Canadian history, optimizing capital and risk profile. In the first quarter of 2025, Manulife finalized a landmark reinsurance agreement with RGA, covering two legacy blocks including LTC and universal life, the latter being the largest such deal ever in Canada. This transaction further strengthens the company’s capital base, reflected in a LICAT ratio of 137%, and optimizes its risk exposure. The scale of this transaction is a clear positive for the Canadian market, and demonstrates Manulife’s ongoing commitment to prudent risk management and sustainable growth, benefiting both policyholders and shareholders.
Manulife’s ongoing share repurchase program reflects management’s confidence in sustained earnings and return of capital to Canadian investors. The recently renewed Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB), active since late February 2025, allows for the repurchase of up to 3% of outstanding common shares. This move not only indicates excess capital strength but also provides direct value to shareholders by supporting the stock price and improving per-share financial metrics. For Canadian investors, this program, coupled with the growing dividend, underscores Manulife’s shareholder-friendly capital allocation strategy and strengthens its investment case in the domestic market.
FAQ
What is the latest dividend for Manulife stock?
Manulife stock currently pays a dividend. The latest declared quarterly dividend is $0.44 CAD per share, with the next payment date set for March 19, 2025. This marks a 10% increase over the previous year, highlighting Manulife’s consistent history of dividend growth over the past decade. The dividend yield is notably attractive, supported by a prudent payout ratio and the company's robust earnings growth.
What is the forecast for Manulife stock in 2025, 2026, and 2027?
Based on the current share price of $42.25 CAD, projections are: $54.93 CAD for the end of 2025, $63.37 CAD for the end of 2026, and $84.50 CAD for the end of 2027. Manulife’s performance outlook is supported by strong sector momentum, ongoing digital transformation, expanding presence in Asia, and recent record core earnings growth.
Should I sell my Manulife shares?
Given Manulife’s solid fundamentals, historical dividend reliability, and a track record of adapting to industry changes, holding your shares may be a sound strategy. The company has demonstrated resilience through evolving market conditions, delivered consistent earnings growth, and is actively investing in future opportunities. Mid- to long-term prospects appear attractive, especially for investors seeking exposure to a leading Canadian financial institution.
Are Manulife shares eligible for Canadian tax-advantaged accounts, like RRSPs or TFSAs?
Yes, Manulife shares are eligible for inclusion in Canadian registered accounts such as RRSPs and TFSAs. Dividends received in these accounts are shielded from immediate taxation, and no withholding tax applies for Canadian residents. This makes holding Manulife stock in such accounts advantageous for maximizing after-tax returns.
What is the latest dividend for Manulife stock?
Manulife stock currently pays a dividend. The latest declared quarterly dividend is $0.44 CAD per share, with the next payment date set for March 19, 2025. This marks a 10% increase over the previous year, highlighting Manulife’s consistent history of dividend growth over the past decade. The dividend yield is notably attractive, supported by a prudent payout ratio and the company's robust earnings growth.
What is the forecast for Manulife stock in 2025, 2026, and 2027?
Based on the current share price of $42.25 CAD, projections are: $54.93 CAD for the end of 2025, $63.37 CAD for the end of 2026, and $84.50 CAD for the end of 2027. Manulife’s performance outlook is supported by strong sector momentum, ongoing digital transformation, expanding presence in Asia, and recent record core earnings growth.
Should I sell my Manulife shares?
Given Manulife’s solid fundamentals, historical dividend reliability, and a track record of adapting to industry changes, holding your shares may be a sound strategy. The company has demonstrated resilience through evolving market conditions, delivered consistent earnings growth, and is actively investing in future opportunities. Mid- to long-term prospects appear attractive, especially for investors seeking exposure to a leading Canadian financial institution.
Are Manulife shares eligible for Canadian tax-advantaged accounts, like RRSPs or TFSAs?
Yes, Manulife shares are eligible for inclusion in Canadian registered accounts such as RRSPs and TFSAs. Dividends received in these accounts are shielded from immediate taxation, and no withholding tax applies for Canadian residents. This makes holding Manulife stock in such accounts advantageous for maximizing after-tax returns.
