Manulife Financial News

Surge Energy Inc. . Oil and gas. Down 37 cents, or 6.99 per cent, at $4.92 on 7.47 million shares.

Southern Pacific Resource Corp. . Oil and gas. Up 9.5 cents, or 23.46 per cent, at 50 cents on 12.29 million shares.

Like many investors these days, Lieh Wang sees better prospects in the U.S. equity market than in Canada, but the Empire Life portfolio manager has still been a buyer of both Manulife Financial Corp.

The financials group rose 0.4 percent, as Manulife Financial Corp climbed 2.1 percent to C$15.91. The insurance company's shares have risen steadily over the last few weeks benefiting from the stronger stock market, rising bond yields and recent positive quarterly results.

Bombardier Inc. . Transportation equipment. Down eight cents, or 1.70 per cent, at $4.63 on 14.23 million shares.

Life insurance giant Manulife Financial Corp. looks to be finally turning the corner on the disasters it experienced during the recent financial crisis.

Industrial Alliance Insurance and Financial Services Inc. is poised to continue outperforming Canadian insurance peers as it shores up capital to guard against a decline in stocks.

Manulife Financial Corp and Metlife Inc are among companies that have made bids for a controlling stake in the life insurance unit of Malaysian lender, AMMB Holdings Bhd, the third insurance deal in the country over the past year.

Bombardier Inc. . Transportation equipment. Up six cents, or 1.43 per cent, at $4.25 on 17.77 million shares.

Seeking to hedge against rising rents and a shortage of space, banks and insurers are on a record spree of buying office buildings in Hong Kong, where occupancy costs are the second-highest in the world.

Manulife Financial Corp. is seeking buyers for the Thurman Arnold Building at 555 12th St.

The analysts wrote, "Manulife Financial Corporation has been downgraded by TheStreet Ratings from buy to hold.

Manulife Financial traded up 1.64% on Friday, hitting $15.47. Manulife Financial has a 52-week low of $9.97 and a 52-week high of $15.70. The stock's 50-day moving average is currently $14.49. The company has a market cap of $28.275 billion and a price-to-earnings ratio of 16.97. Manulife Financial last issued its quarterly earnings data on ... (more)

Manulife Financial declared a quarterly dividend on Friday, May 3rd, AnalystRatingsNetwork reports.

May 3, 2013 Investorideas.com staff: Investorideas.com, an investor research portal specializing in sector research for independent investors reports on the TSX and its top traders for May 3rd, 2013.

Strong earnings reports helped push the Toronto stock market higher Thursday. The S&P/TSX composite index climbed 58.35 points at 12,379.64, with investors giving a positive reception to earnings from clothing manufacturer Gildan Activewear and Manulife Financial among others.

ECB could trim key rate The European Central Bank finally cut its benchmark interest rate today in the face of crippling unemployment and cooling inflation.

The S&P/TSX composite index climbed 58.35 points at 12,379.64 clawing back a good chunk of Wednesday's 135-point tumble.

Canada's top life insurer, Manulife Financial Corp, reported a 56 percent drop in profit in the first quarter, while earnings at rival Great-West Lifeco Inc rose 15 percent as both companies met expectations in a tough market.

Please be advised that this conference call is being recorded. Good afternoon, and welcome to the Manulife Financial First Quarter 2013 Financial Results Conference Call for Thursday, May 2, 2013.