Manulife considers U.S. exit

Article Excerpt

MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP. $25.91 (Toronto symbol MFC; Shares o/s: 2.0 billion; Market cap: $50.9 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 3.2%; www.manulife.ca) is now Canada’s largest life insurer. The company also operates in the U.S. through John Hancock Financial Services. Manulife spent $10.4 billion U.S. to buy the firm in 2004. John Hancock focuses on life insurance and retirement annuities for individuals. It accounts for 60% of Manulife’s $1.01 trillion in assets under administration. However, John Hancock accounts for only 40% of profits. Higher regulatory capital requirements in the U.S. and intense com petition make it far less profitable than Manulife’s other insurance businesses. The company is reportedly looking at setting up John Hancock as a separate firm. It would then sell it to the public in an initial public offering, or perhaps hand out shares to its investors through a spinoff. Either move would free up capital for expansion in more profitable areas, including Manulife’s growing Asian business. With an IPO or…