Manulife (MFC) Outlook Steady as Morgan Stanley Lifts Price Target

Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) is included among the 15 Global Dividend Stocks to Diversify Your Portfolio.

Photo by Dan Dennis connected Unsplash

On December 15, Morgan Stanley raised its terms people connected Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) to $51 from $50 and maintained an Equal Weight standing connected the shares. The expert pointed to little involvement rates and a steady, oregon improving, equity marketplace arsenic supportive macro conditions. Looking ahead, 2026 should spot “similar cardinal trends arsenic 2025,” according to the firm’s beingness security radical outlook.

The banal is already reflecting immoderate of that optimism. Shares are up astir 20% since the commencement of 2025. In November, Manulife laid retired a refreshed strategy focused connected Asia, aiming to summation marketplace stock successful ample economies and broaden its concern premix during a play of planetary uncertainty.

Capital flexibility has played a relation successful that shift. Since 2023, Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) has utilized reinsurance deals to transportation hazard and escaped up capital. That has opened the doorway for stock buybacks and caller investments. One precedence is India, wherever the institution plans to turn done a associated task with Mahindra and Mahindra. In September, Manulife besides agreed to get Schroders’ concern successful Indonesia, strengthening its footprint successful Southeast Asia.

The Asia conception is already showing momentum. Core net from the portion roseate 29% to $550 cardinal successful the 3rd 4th compared with the aforesaid play past year. That maturation helped assistance wide results. For the 3 months ended September 30, Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) reported halfway net of C$2.04 billion, oregon C$1.16 per share. A twelvemonth earlier, halfway net totaled C$1.83 billion, oregon C$1.00 per share.

Manulife Financial Corporation (NYSE:MFC) operates arsenic a planetary fiscal services company, providing insurance, wealthiness management, and concern solutions crossed aggregate markets.

While we admit the imaginable of MFC arsenic an investment, we judge definite AI stocks connection greater upside imaginable and transportation little downside risk. If you’re looking for an highly undervalued AI banal that besides stands to payment importantly from Trump-era tariffs and the onshoring trend, spot our escaped study connected the best short-term AI stock.

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