Manulife Finl Stock Price, News & Analysis

John Hancock has expanded its Apple Watch program for life insurance customers, now including Apple Watch Series 6 and Apple Watch SE. Customers in the Vitality PLUS program can acquire these devices for $25 plus tax by maintaining regular exercise. The initiative aims to motivate healthier lifestyles, especially beneficial for those with higher health risks. Studies indicate that Apple Watch users in the program experienced a 34% increase in physical activity. This development highlights the blend of life insurance and health technology, enhancing customer engagement and wellness.

On October 28, 2020, John Hancock Retirement released its seventh annual financial stress survey, highlighting significant increases in financial stress among U.S. and Canadian workers due to COVID-19. The survey revealed that those reporting high financial stress surged to 27%, up from 11% pre-pandemic. Despite this, interest in financial advice has grown, with 75% of respondents valuing employer-sponsored financial wellness programs. Notably, over a third of U.S. respondents rated their financial situation as fair or poor, while 90% deemed financial wellness programs vital from their employers.

Manulife Investment Management has been recognized in the PRI Leaders' Group 2020 for its excellence in responsible investment, particularly in climate reporting. The firm highlighted its ESG initiatives in its annual Sustainable and Responsible Investing Report, showcasing progress made in both public and private markets during 2019. Key achievements include earning top scores in various PRI assessments, formalizing governance structures, and winning the 2019 SDG Canadian Leadership Awards. With CAD$900 billion in assets under management, the firm continues to focus on integrating sustainability in investment strategies.

On October 1, 2020, Manulife Investment Management's Strategic Fixed Income Strategy was awarded the Active Global Fixed Income Strategy of the Year by the Pension Bridge Institutional Asset Management Awards. The evaluation highlighted its strong performance, ranking in the top quartile for 1-year and the second quartile for 3 and 5-year periods compared to peers. The award considered various criteria, including performance returns, asset growth, and ESG integration. As of June 30, 2020, Manulife managed assets worth CAD$900 billion (US$660 billion), showcasing its robust capabilities in global fixed-income markets.

Manulife Investment Management has achieved A+ scores from the United Nations-supported Principles for Responsible Investment (PRI) for the second consecutive year, recognizing its superior integration of ESG factors in investment practices across various asset classes. Significant improvements were noted in ESG engagement and analysis, with CAD$900 billion in assets under management as of June 30, 2020. The company aims to lead in sustainable investing, demonstrating commitment through enhanced transparency and active company engagement.

John Hancock Investment Management has appointed Frances G. Rathke as an Independent Trustee of the John Hancock Group of Funds Board of Trustees, effective September 15, 2020. With a solid background in corporate finance and experience in consumer brands, Rathke is expected to bring valuable insights to the board. She has held senior positions at companies such as Keurig Green Mountain and Ben & Jerry's, and is qualified as a certified public accountant. Additionally, she joins various committees including the Audit, Nominating and Governance, and Investment Committees.

John Hancock Retirement reports strong resilience among retirement savers amid the COVID-19 pandemic. As of July 2020, over 1 million participants maintained their savings allocations, with only a small fraction opting for coronavirus-related distributions. The company emphasizes the effectiveness of retirement plan design, highlighting that 63% of participants utilizing automatic enrollment and increases are retirement-ready. The data reveals that younger participants, especially those aged 30-39, exhibit higher retirement readiness rates, reinforcing the importance of proactive plan features.