Their Asian gains help offset a slower U.S.

Article Excerpt

MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP. $22.46 (Toronto symbol MFC; Shares o/s: 2.0 billion; Market cap: $44.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 4.5%; www.manulife.ca) is Canada’s largest life insurer. The company also sells other forms of insurance, including health, dental and travel plans; in addition, it offers mutual funds and investment management services. As of December 31, 2018, Manulife had $1.1 trillion in assets under administration. In the quarter ended December 31, 2018, earnings jumped 11.0%, to $1.34 billion from $1.21 billion a year earlier. On a per-share basis, earnings rose 10.2%, to $0.65 a share from $0.59. The company’s earnings in Asia rose 23.4%, to $459 million from $372 million a year earlier. That was due to 15% annualized premium growth, with especially strong gains in Japan and Hong Kong. Canada saw a 25% increase in annualized premiums due to the launch of Manulife Par, a new participating whole life insurance product. Manulife trades at only 8.1 times its forecast 2019 earnings of $2.76 a share…