Manulife Financial Corp (USA ) (NYSE:MFC)

Leverage nature of the insurance business. The expansion into Asia especially China and Indonesia will bring extra growth.

This stock will outperform, once low interest rates start going back up. In the mean time, get it while it is cheap, this company isn't going anywhere.

under-priced

They have a great position in China and have done a lot of the work to get their products in front of this growing population

MFC has bottomed from the financial crisis of 2009-2010. As the economy rebounds, so will the financial's, and so will this beat-down stock.

Barron's Roundtable 2011 Archi MacAllaster's pick

There is so much to like about Manulife: Solid balance sheet, consistent dividend, great cash flows from operations, and smart management. I estimate that this company is underpriced by about 25-30% and has plenty of room to grow.

Full disclosure: I just purchased a position in this company and am long.

This is a long term hold. Stocks like this get swept up in the wave when things go up and down. I think at these prices it is a good time to buy and hang on to.

Through the boom times, Manulife sold a lot of unhedged future commitments with income guarantees, backed by their large investment portfolio, which was then decimated in the financial crisis.

to build up capital levels, they cut their dividend, issued a lot of shares (diluting existing shareholders) and have started an expensive hedging program.

They have traditionally traded at 2x book.

their current book value is around $15.xx and the share price has collapsed to $12.50 after another round of investment declines for their second quarter.

so:

1) some of their investment losses should not be expected to be realized, especially if we ever see the economy recover

2) when they stop being an unloved pariah, their premium to book value should rise, even if it never regains the 2x premium they used to have

3) they have large healthy insurance franchises in Canada, the US and internationally, which should continue chugging on as the markets go up and down

Great financial stock, sector is down right now. EPS for this stock is expected to go to $2.00 per share in 2011. Foreign exposure.

Bearish on Canadian financials

temporarily undervalued

It still ha John Hancock Life in the U.S. Perhaps the Asian market, especially China, is not fully explored. As workers in China get more in pay they start thinking "insurance" just like any other modern family in Europe as well as in the Americas

This Canadian insurance company's quarterly earnings disappointed and its stock just tanked more than 7% this morning. This is an over-reaction and I see improved earnings going forward.

Manulife Financial Corp (USA ) (MFC)
A life insurance company incorporated under the ICA. MFC was incorporated under the ICA on April 26, 1999 for the purpose of becoming the holding company of Manufacturers Life following its demutualization.

Currently, MFC is at $15.91, 36% off its 52W high. Just a couple of weeks ago, MFC bounced off its 52W low of $14, and it looks to me this bounce is for real.
I like MFC's chart a lot.
Even though 36% off 52W high, MFC is still up approx. 50% from its February 2009 low.
My kind of value play.

Individual insurance sales were up 6% and the Canadian business was up 7% and up 35% in Asia. The variable annuity sales are still low and need to pick up for MFC to make any large moves in earnings. Management has been focused on hedging their risk in the variable annuity products will help keep their earning steady and decrease risk of volatility due to any unexpected market turns.

no comment

A deeply rooted Canadian company with solid performance. Very attractive P/E ratio at this valuation.

I am ready to make a big bet on this company. This is easily 2 or even 3 bagger in long run. One of the biggest and globally well diversified insurance company.