Manulife Finl Stock Price, News & Analysis

John Hancock Investment Management has announced the launch of its first fixed-income ETF, the John Hancock Corporate Bond ETF (ticker: JHCB), which aims for high current income through investments in corporate bonds. Managed by Manulife Investment Management, the ETF requires a minimum of 80% of net assets in corporate bonds. Furthermore, two additional ETFs are in the pipeline: John Hancock Mortgage Backed Securities ETF and John Hancock Ultra Short Income ETF, both targeting steady income levels. This brings the total number of ETFs offered by John Hancock Investment Management to 16, managing assets over $4.5 billion.

On March 25, 2021, at 2:10 PM EDT, Steve Finch, Chief Actuary of Manulife, will participate in a fireside chat at the National Bank Financial 19th Annual Financial Services Conference. The event aims to discuss the company's financial services and future directions. Manulife, trading under the symbol MFC on multiple exchanges, is a prominent financial services group providing advice, insurance, and asset management solutions. It serves over 30 million customers globally, managing approximately $1.3 trillion in assets.

On March 23, 2021, Hancock Natural Resource Group, part of Manulife Investment Management, acquired 12,874 hectares of eucalyptus plantations in Mato Grosso do Sul, Brazil, from AMATA. This strategic investment enhances their portfolio in private markets, particularly in timber and agriculture. The acquisition aligns with growing demand for bleached eucalyptus kraft pulp. AMATA aims to accelerate its new business unit, AMATA Urbem, focusing on engineered wood products. This marks HNRG's second acquisition in South America in 2021, following a majority stake in Chilean fruit exporter, David Del Curto S.A.

On March 23, 2021, John Hancock, the U.S. division of Manulife (MFC), announced that life insurance policyholders in the Vitality Program will receive 400 Vitality Points for proof of COVID-19 vaccination. This initiative aims to promote health and vaccine acceptance among members. Vitality Points can lead to discounts on premiums, travel, retail, and health-related products. The program emphasizes proactive health management, with the company stating that such initiatives are crucial for customer well-being post-pandemic.

Manulife Financial Corporation has received an unsolicited mini-tender offer from Obatan LLC to purchase 500,000 common shares at USD$13.00 each, representing approximately 0.026% of the total shares outstanding. This offer is significantly below the market price, with discounts of up to 40.20%. Manulife advises shareholders against this offer, urging them to compare it with current market prices and consult investment advisors. The mini-tender offer is designed to evade standard regulatory requirements, raising concerns from the SEC and CSA regarding investor awareness.

John Hancock Retirement has launched a new plan design analysis dashboard aimed at enhancing retirement plan readiness. This dashboard allows for detailed analysis of sponsor match structures and contribution scenarios, helping sponsors visualize the impact on participant income replacement ratios and associated costs. The tool utilizes real participant data, enabling collaborative decision-making between sponsors and financial professionals. Although results are hypothetical and subject to market fluctuations, the dashboard is designed to facilitate informed plan design decisions.

Manulife Investment Management has appointed Joshua Liebow and Mateusz Szwarc as co-heads of junior credit for private markets. This leadership role aims to enhance the development of specialized funds and investment products for the global institutional client base. Both Josh and Matt bring extensive experience, having previously served as Managing Directors in equity co-investments and junior credit. As of December 31, 2020, Manulife Investment Management managed CAD$966 billion (US$758 billion) in assets.

Manulife Financial Corporation has received a favorable ruling from the Saskatchewan Court of Appeal regarding the Mosten Investment LP case. The court confirmed that unlimited deposits into universal life insurance contracts are prohibited, affirming that deposits must relate to premium payments. Manulife expressed confidence that the decision would not materially impact its business, reinforcing its operational stability.