Manulife Finl Stock Price, News & Analysis

Manulife (TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC) has issued a warning to investors regarding an unsolicited mini-tender offer from New York Stock and Bond (NYSB). The offer seeks to purchase up to 250,000 Manulife common shares (less than 0.02% of outstanding shares) at USD$18.50 per share.

The offer price represents a significant discount of approximately 35% below the closing prices on both TSX and NYSE as of March 13, 2025, and over 41% below the April 1, 2025 closing prices. Manulife emphasizes it is not associated with NYSB and does not endorse this offer.

Mini-tender offers, which target less than 5% of a company's shares, bypass typical securities regulations disclosure requirements. Both the Canadian Securities Administrators and SEC have expressed concerns about such offers, noting they often target uninformed investors who may not compare offer prices to market values.

Manulife (TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC) has announced the release of a revised template for its statistical information package (SIP), incorporating updates to reflect the impact of Global Minimum Taxes (GMT) by operating segments. The company has updated its 2024 quarterly results to enhance year-over-year comparability of key financial metrics, including core earnings, new business value, and post-tax contractual service margin.

The update comes in anticipation of additional local jurisdictions enacting GMT in 2025, with Manulife planning to recognize GMT in reporting segments subject to these taxes starting Q1 2025. The updated SIP will be implemented for financial reporting beginning with Q1 2025 results, scheduled for release on May 7, 2025. A supplementary summary of changes has been provided to help users understand the updates, available in the '2025 Q1 Results' section of Manulife's investor relations website.

Manulife (MFC) has launched the 'Innovating for Asia's Demographic Future Challenge' in partnership with UpLink, a World Economic Forum initiative. This marks the second of three challenges in their multiyear partnership focused on longevity innovation.

The challenge seeks startups developing solutions in three key areas:

• Multigenerational financial resilience
• Equitable healthy aging
• Lifelong fulfillment

The initiative addresses Asia's demographic shift, where by 2050, one in four people will be over 60. Winners will receive part of a CAD 200,000 prize pool split among three of the top ten winners, along with networking opportunities and partnership access. The application deadline is April 28, 2025.

Manulife Financial (MFC) has announced the release of its Management Information Circular and 2024 Annual Report for shareholders. The company will hold its annual meeting on May 8, 2025, at 11:00 a.m. EST, offering both in-person and live webcast attendance options.

The Management Information Circular contains essential information about the annual meeting, including details on director elections, auditor appointments, and attendance procedures. Manulife is implementing a notice-and-access system to deliver the Circular to shareholders, making it available through multiple online platforms including the company website, transfer agent website, SEDAR+, and EDGAR.

Shareholders are urged to vote and submit proxies before the meeting to ensure their shares are represented. Paper copies of the Circular can be requested through TSX Trust Company, the company's transfer agent.

Manulife (MFC) has announced the appointment of Steve Finch as President and CEO of Manulife Asia, effective May 9th, 2025. Finch, currently serving as Chief Actuary, will succeed Phil Witherington, who has been promoted to Manulife's President and CEO.

Finch, a member of Manulife's Executive Leadership team since 2016, brings 32 years of experience with the company. His track record includes leading significant transformations, managing historic transactions for reserve validation, and overseeing the transition to IFRS 17 and IFRS 9 standards. Previously, he served as CFO of John Hancock and General Manager of US Life Insurance, where he led the business to become a market leader in life insurance sales.

The company has set ambitious goals for its Asian operations, targeting to contribute more than 50 percent of Manulife's core earnings. A successor for the Chief Actuary position will be announced later.

Manulife (MFC) has announced that Chief Financial Officer Colin Simpson will participate in a fireside chat at the 23rd Annual Financial Services Conference hosted by National Bank of Canada. The event is scheduled for Wednesday, March 26, 2025, from 9:30 a.m. to 9:55 a.m. EDT.

Investors and interested parties can access both the live webcast and replay through Manulife's Investor Relations website. The replay will remain available for a three-month period following the event.

Manulife (MFC) announced that over 75% of its global workforce is now engaged with GenAI tools, including ChatMFC, its proprietary GenAI assistant launched in 2024. The company has deployed more than 35 GenAI use cases across Canada, the U.S., and Asia, with an additional 70 planned by end of 2025.

The company's AI initiatives include a dedicated team of nearly 200 global data scientists, an AI-enabled translation tool supporting 9 languages, and GenAI-powered solutions handling over 110 million calls annually. Their Sales Enablement Tool, initially launched in Singapore, has expanded to multiple global markets.

Manulife expects its digital capabilities, including AI-enabled enhancements, to generate a threefold return on investment through 2027, with over $600 million in benefits realized in 2024 from global digital initiatives.

Manulife Financial (MFC) has announced the results of its conversion privilege for Non-cumulative Rate Reset Class 1 Shares Series 19. With only 3,700 Series 19 Preferred Shares elected for conversion, falling below the minimum requirement of one million shares, holders cannot convert their Series 19 shares into Series 20 Preferred Shares.

After March 19, 2025, Series 19 shareholders will receive fixed rate non-cumulative preferential cash dividends quarterly, subject to Board declaration. The dividend rate for March 20, 2025 to March 19, 2030 will be 5.16900% annually, or $0.323063 per share quarterly, calculated as the five-year Government of Canada bond yield plus 2.30%.

Manulife maintains the option to redeem Series 19 Preferred Shares, wholly or partially, on March 19, 2030, and every five years thereafter, subject to specific conditions.

Manulife (MFC) has issued a warning to investors regarding an unsolicited mini-tender offer from Ocehan to purchase up to 50,000 Manulife common shares (less than 0.003% of outstanding shares) at $34.20 per share. The company emphasizes this offer represents a significant discount of approximately 20% below current market prices on both TSX and NYSE as of February 24, 2025.

The mini-tender offer, designed to acquire less than 5% of company shares, bypasses standard disclosure and procedural requirements under Canadian and U.S. securities regulations. Both the Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have expressed concerns about such offers, particularly regarding investors potentially accepting without understanding the below-market pricing.