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Manulife (MFC) Q4 Earnings Rise Y/Y on Solid Asia Business
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Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC - Free Report) delivered fourth-quarter 2018 core earnings of $0.9 billion (C$1.3 billion), up 8% year over year. This upside can be attributed to new business growth in Asia, favorable impact of lower U.S. tax rates, improved policyholder experience, and improved expense efficiency.
New business value in the reported quarter was $379 million (C$501 million), up 27% year over year on the back of robust growth across all insurance segments.
Annualized premium equivalent (APE) sales increased 14% year over year to $1.1 billion (C$1.5 billion) owing to higher sales in Asia and Canada.
As of Dec 31, 2018, Manulife Financial’s financial leverage ratio improved 170 basis points (bps) to 28.6% from Dec 31, 2017.
As of Dec 31, 2018, wealth and asset management assets under management and administration were $531.8 billion (C$608.8 billion), down 0.03% year over year.
Core return on equity, measuring the company’s profitability, expanded 240 bps year over year to 13.7%.
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions' new Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test (LICAT) regulatory capital regime came into effect in Canada on Jan 1, 2018, replacing the Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus framework. LICAT ratio was 143% as of Dec 31, 2018, up from 134% as of Sep 30, 2018.
Manulife Financial Corp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Core earnings of C$5.6 billion in 2018 were up 23% from 2017. The company witnessed double-digit core earnings growth across all operating segments.
In Asia, the company delivered 19% increase in new business value to $1.1 billion in 2018.
Expense efficiency ratio improved 300 bps to 52%.
Segmental Performance
Global Wealth and Asset Management division’s core earnings came in at $175 million (C$231 million), up 16.7% year over year.
Asia division’s core earnings totaled $459 million, up 23.4% year over year. Annualized premium equivalents sales improved 17.6% year over year to $1 billion in the quarter, riding on solid growth in Japan, Hong Kong and Asia Other.
Manulife Financial’s Canada division core earnings of $236 million (C$312 million) were up 14.3% year over year. Annualized premium equivalent sales were $209.6 million (C$277 million), which improved 24.7% year over year.
The U.S. division reported core earnings of $465 million, up 0.4% year over year. Annualized premium equivalents sales of $152 million decreased 0.7% year over year.
Dividend Update
The board of directors declared a dividend of 25 cents per share payable on Mar 19 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb 27.
Among the other players from the life insurance industry who have already reported fourth-quarter earnings, Lincoln National Corporation (LNC - Free Report) and Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated. (RGA - Free Report) surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings while Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW - Free Report) missed the same.
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Manulife (MFC) Q4 Earnings Rise Y/Y on Solid Asia Business
Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC - Free Report) delivered fourth-quarter 2018 core earnings of $0.9 billion (C$1.3 billion), up 8% year over year. This upside can be attributed to new business growth in Asia, favorable impact of lower U.S. tax rates, improved policyholder experience, and improved expense efficiency.
New business value in the reported quarter was $379 million (C$501 million), up 27% year over year on the back of robust growth across all insurance segments.
Annualized premium equivalent (APE) sales increased 14% year over year to $1.1 billion (C$1.5 billion) owing to higher sales in Asia and Canada.
As of Dec 31, 2018, Manulife Financial’s financial leverage ratio improved 170 basis points (bps) to 28.6% from Dec 31, 2017.
As of Dec 31, 2018, wealth and asset management assets under management and administration were $531.8 billion (C$608.8 billion), down 0.03% year over year.
Core return on equity, measuring the company’s profitability, expanded 240 bps year over year to 13.7%.
The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions' new Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test (LICAT) regulatory capital regime came into effect in Canada on Jan 1, 2018, replacing the Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus framework. LICAT ratio was 143% as of Dec 31, 2018, up from 134% as of Sep 30, 2018.
Manulife Financial Corp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise
Manulife Financial Corp Price, Consensus and EPS Surprise | Manulife Financial Corp Quote
Full Year Highlights
Core earnings of C$5.6 billion in 2018 were up 23% from 2017. The company witnessed double-digit core earnings growth across all operating segments.
In Asia, the company delivered 19% increase in new business value to $1.1 billion in 2018.
Expense efficiency ratio improved 300 bps to 52%.
Segmental Performance
Global Wealth and Asset Management division’s core earnings came in at $175 million (C$231 million), up 16.7% year over year.
Asia division’s core earnings totaled $459 million, up 23.4% year over year. Annualized premium equivalents sales improved 17.6% year over year to $1 billion in the quarter, riding on solid growth in Japan, Hong Kong and Asia Other.
Manulife Financial’s Canada division core earnings of $236 million (C$312 million) were up 14.3% year over year. Annualized premium equivalent sales were $209.6 million (C$277 million), which improved 24.7% year over year.
The U.S. division reported core earnings of $465 million, up 0.4% year over year. Annualized premium equivalents sales of $152 million decreased 0.7% year over year.
Dividend Update
The board of directors declared a dividend of 25 cents per share payable on Mar 19 to shareholders of record at the close of business on Feb 27.
Zacks Rank
Manulife Financial currently carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank (Strong Buy) stocks here.
Performance of Other Life Insurers
Among the other players from the life insurance industry who have already reported fourth-quarter earnings, Lincoln National Corporation (LNC - Free Report) and Reinsurance Group of America, Incorporated. (RGA - Free Report) surpassed the respective Zacks Consensus Estimate for earnings while Genworth Financial Inc. (GNW - Free Report) missed the same.
Will You Make a Fortune on the Shift to Electric Cars?
Here's another stock idea to consider. Much like petroleum 150 years ago, lithium power may soon shake the world, creating millionaires and reshaping geo-politics. Soon electric vehicles (EVs) may be cheaper than gas guzzlers. Some are already reaching 265 miles on a single charge.
With battery prices plummeting and charging stations set to multiply, one company stands out as the #1 stock to buy according to Zacks research. It's not the one you think.
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