Manulife Reports Second Quarter 2026 Results

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TORONTO, Aug. 5, 2026 /PRNewswire/ -- Manulife Financial Corporation ("Manulife" or the "Company") reported its second quarter results for the period ended June 30, 2026, delivering double-digit growth in core EPS and all three insurance new business metrics.¹

Key highlights for the second quarter of 2026 ("2Q26") include:

"Manulife delivered a strong second quarter, with disciplined execution driving momentum against our strategic priorities. Core EPS increased 16% year over year, and all three insurance segments delivered double-digit top-line growth⁷, underscoring the strength of our diversified portfolio. In Asia, core earnings grew 21%, complemented by double-digit growth across all three new business metrics, while Global WAM expanded its margin and generated positive net flows, including strong contributions from our recently acquired CQS and Comvest businesses.

"Manulife continued to strengthen our distribution capabilities and advance product innovation, including the launch of new high-net-worth insurance solutions, the expansion of ETF-based investment offerings in Global WAM, and a new advisor network in the U.S. We are also accelerating the integration of AI across our business to enhance customer and distributor experiences, improve efficiency, and deliver tangible value. Recent industry recognition underscores our AI leadership and ability to scale innovation globally. The long-term care reinsurance transaction announced today will further reduce our risk profile, highlighting how we're continuing to strengthen our business through innovative actions.⁸ We remain well positioned to continue executing on our strategy to generate sustainable growth over the long-term."

— Phil Witherington, Manulife President & Chief Executive Officer

"Our CSM balance⁹ increased 20% year over year, reflecting strong new business growth and further strengthening our future earnings capacity. We also delivered positive operating leverage this quarter, achieving an expense efficiency ratio of 44.5%.⁴ Supported by our strong balance sheet and low financial leverage, we remained disciplined in our capital deployment, returning $2.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and share buybacks in the first half of 2026. Core ROE of 16.3% increased 130 basis points compared with 2Q25, reflecting the strength of our high-growth businesses. Together, these results underscore our continued focus on high-quality growth and long-term value creation."

— Colin Simpson, Manulife Chief Financial Officer

Results at a Glance

Results by Segment

Strategic Highlights

We are differentiating through superior distribution and product innovation

In Asia, we demonstrated the strength and caliber of our agency force with Manulife Asia achieving a 9% year-over-year increase in the number of Million Dollar Round Table ("MDRT") members, the highest increase among top 10 multinational insurers¹⁰ in 2026. This reflects continued progress in scaling our high-quality agency force, supported by investments in Manulife Business Academy training programs, AI-enabled capability building, and broader advisor excellence initiatives.

We launched two high-net-worth ("HNW") insurance solutions this quarter. The first is an indexed HNW Takaful solution, the first of its kind, designed to address the evolving wealth, protection, and legacy planning needs of affluent families and business owners across the Middle East, North Africa and South Asia. And the second is a HNW insurance savings solution that uniquely combines the long-term stability and wealth preservation benefits of a participating life insurance policy with investment diversification through the addition of a Manulife | CQS asset-backed securities strategy.

In Global WAM, we expanded our ETF-based investment offerings to our retail customers across North America, with the launch of new asset allocation ETFs and ETF-based mutual funds in Canada, and the John Hancock Hedged Equity ETF in the U.S., broadening access to actively managed, outcome-oriented investment solutions.

In the U.S., we established the Longer. Healthier. Better. Network, an aligned community of independent licensed financial advisors committed to supporting customer longevity, wellness and financial well-being through our differentiated insurance and wealth-planning solutions. Additionally, we broadened the customer reach of our life insurance solutions with an enhanced variable universal life offering that delivers greater protection, flexibility, and long‑term value, better aligning our suite of solutions with evolving customer needs and supporting future growth.

We are making continued progress on our AI strategic priority, with industry recognition of our leadership and execution

We were named the number one life insurer for AI maturity for the second consecutive year in the 2026 Evident AI Index for Insurance, while ranking first among North American insurers, and in the top three overall among 30 major insurers in North America and Europe. This recognition highlights our ability to scale AI-driven innovation across our global footprint, delivering measurable business value and impact, and accelerating progress on our strategic priority to operate as an AI-powered organization.

In Canada, we were recognized as the Model Insurer for Data, Analytics & AI by Celent, a global financial services research and advisory firm, for our innovative use of AI in underwriting through the Manulife Automated Underwriting Decision Engine ("MAUDE"), reflecting our AI leadership in elevating advisor and customer experiences by accelerating access to coverage and enhancing operational efficiency.

In Global WAM, we advanced scalable AI capabilities with the launch of new agentic AI solutions, bringing the portfolio to 13 solutions across AI-powered document intelligence readers and knowledge assistants. These capabilities are enhancing customer experience, improving operational efficiency, and creating a model for scaling AI across Manulife.

In Asia, we became a Core Participating Insurer in the Hong Kong Insurance Authority's AI Cohort Programme, underscoring our commitment to advancing the responsible adoption of AI and supporting Hong Kong's development as a regional hub for AI innovation.

We are advancing our health and longevity leadership through partnerships, insights, and wellness offerings

We reinforced our leadership in longevity with the launch of the Longevity Preparedness Tool, a first‑of‑its‑kind personalized assessment developed in collaboration with the MIT AgeLab and our U.S. insurance and retirement businesses, helping individuals assess and improve their readiness for living longer, healthier, better lives.

In Asia, we activated our strategic partnership with Bupa International Limited ("Bupa") in Hong Kong, expanding customer access to Bupa's healthcare provider partners. This initial phase of enhancements quadrupled our medical specialist network to more than 900 providers, providing customers with greater choice for healthcare.

In Global WAM, we enhanced health and wellness offerings for eligible Canada Group Retirement plan members and private wealth clients, providing preferred-rate access to select health and wellness solutions, reinforcing our focus on health, wealth, and longevity.

In Canada, we released our 2025 Wellness Report, providing unique insights into the evolving health and wellness needs of Canada's workforce and helping our group benefits plan sponsors make more informed decisions about the programs and benefits that can best meet the needs of their employees.

Continued business growth supported double-digit increase in core earnings¹¹

Core earnings of $1.9 billion in 2Q26, up 12% from 2Q25

The increase in core earnings reflected strong business growth in Asia and Global WAM, a lower charge in the expected credit loss ("ECL") provision, and the net positive impact of 2025 updates to actuarial methods and assumptions. The increase was partially offset by lower investment spreads in the U.S., the impact of the eMPF transition in Hong Kong, and more unfavourable net insurance experience.

Net Income attributed to shareholders of $2.1 billion in 2Q26, $0.3 billion higher compared with 2Q25

The $0.3 billion increase in net income was driven by core earnings growth and more favourable market experience. The net gain from market experience in 2Q26 reflected higher-than-expected returns on public equity, partially offset by lower-than-expected returns on alternative long-duration assets, mainly related to infrastructure, private equity and real estate investments.

Double-digit growth across insurance new business metrics and positive net flows in Global WAM

APE sales, new business CSM and NBV increased 21%, 16%, and 10%, respectively, highlighting the strength of our diversified business portfolio

Global WAM net inflows of $0.4 billion in 2Q26, compared with net inflows of $0.9 billion in 2Q25

New business growth continued to drive higher organic CSM and CSM balance

CSM was $27,263 million as at June 30, 2026

CSM increased $2,294 million compared with December 31, 2025. Organic CSM movement contributed $1,191 million of the increase, representing a 10% annualized growth in our CSM net of NCI balance¹², primarily driven by the impact of new business, interest accretion and net favourable insurance experience, partially offset by amortization recognized in core earnings. Inorganic CSM movement was an increase of $1,103 million, driven by the favourable impacts of changes in foreign currency exchange rates and equity market performance. Post-tax CSM net of NCI² was $22,667 million as at June 30, 2026.

Earnings Results Conference Call

Manulife will host a conference call and live webcast on its Second Quarter 2026 results on August 6, 2026, at 8:00 a.m. (ET). To access the conference call, dial 1-888-317-6003 or 1-647-846-2809 (Passcode: 4928939#). Please call in 15 minutes before the scheduled start time. You will be required to provide your name and organization to the operator. You may access the webcast at https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/investors/results-and-reports.

The archived webcast will be available following the call at the same URL as above. A replay of the call will also be available until November 6, 2026, by dialing 1-855-669-9658 or 1-412-317-0088 (Passcode: 2045803#).

The Second Quarter 2026 Statistical Information Package is also available on the Manulife website at https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/investors/results-and-reports.

This earnings news release should be read in conjunction with the Company's Second Quarter 2026 Report to Shareholders, including our unaudited interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the three and six months ended June 30, 2026, prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS") as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board, which is available on our website at https://www.manulife.com/ca/en/about-us/investors/results-and-reports. The Company's 2Q26 MD&A and additional information relating to the Company is available on the SEDAR+ website at https://www.sedarplus.ca and on the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission's ("SEC") website at https://www.sec.gov.

Any information contained in, or otherwise accessible through, websites mentioned in this news release does not form a part of this document unless it is expressly incorporated by reference.

Media Inquiries
Fiona McLean
(437) 441-7491
fiona_mclean@manulife.com

Investor Relations
Derek Theobalds
(416) 254-1774
derek_theobalds@manulife.com

Earnings

The following table presents net income attributed to shareholders, consisting of core earnings and details of the items excluded from core earnings:

Non-GAAP and other financial measures

The Company prepares its Consolidated Financial Statements in accordance with IFRS as issued by the International Accounting Standards Board. We use a number of non-GAAP and other financial measures to evaluate overall performance and to assess each of our businesses. This section includes information required by National Instrument 52-112 – Non-GAAP and Other Financial Measures Disclosure in respect of "specified financial measures" (as defined therein).

Non-GAAP financial measures include core earnings (loss); core earnings available to common shareholders; core earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization ("core EBITDA"); core expenses; adjusted book value; post-tax contractual service margin; post-tax contractual service margin net of NCI ("post-tax CSM net of NCI");  and core revenue. In addition, non-GAAP financial measures include the following stated on a constant exchange rate ("CER") basis: any of the foregoing non-GAAP financial measures; net income attributed to shareholders; common shareholders' net income; CSM; CSM net of NCI and new business CSM.

Non-GAAP ratios include core return on common shareholders' equity ("core ROE"); diluted core earnings per common share ("core EPS"); expense efficiency ratio; adjusted book value per common share; financial leverage ratio; core EBITDA margin; growth in the CSM net of NCI from organic CSM movement; and percentage growth/decline on a constant exchange rate basis in any of the above non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios; net income attributed to shareholders; diluted earnings per common share ("EPS"); CSM; CSM net of NCI; and new business CSM.

Other specified financial measures include NBV; APE sales; gross flows; net flows; average assets under management and administration ("average AUMA"); NBV margin; and percentage growth/decline in these foregoing specified financial measures. In addition, explanations of the components of the CSM movement, other than new business CSM are provided in our 2Q26 MD&A.

Non-GAAP financial measures and non-GAAP ratios are not standardized financial measures under GAAP and, therefore, might not be comparable to similar financial measures disclosed by other issuers. Therefore, they should not be considered in isolation or as a substitute for any other financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. For more information on non-GAAP financial measures, including those referred to above, see the section "Non-GAAP and other financial measures" in our 2Q26 MD&A, which is incorporated by reference.

Reconciliation of core earnings to net income attributed to shareholders – 2Q26
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Core earnings, CER basis and U.S. dollars – 2Q26
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Reconciliation of core earnings to net income attributed to shareholders – 1Q26
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Core earnings, CER basis and U.S. dollars – 1Q26
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Reconciliation of core earnings to net income attributed to shareholders – 2Q25
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Core earnings, CER basis and U.S. dollars – 2Q25
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Reconciliation of core earnings to net income attributed to shareholders – YTD 2026
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Core earnings, CER basis and U.S. dollars – YTD 2026
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Reconciliation of core earnings to net income attributed to shareholders – YTD 2025
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Core earnings, CER basis and U.S. dollars – YTD 2025
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

 and Other

Core earnings available to common shareholders
($ millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Core ROE
($ millions, unless otherwise stated)

CSM and post-tax CSM information
($ millions pre-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

New business CSM⁽¹⁾ detail, CER basis
($ millions pre-tax, and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Net income financial measures on a CER basis
($ Canadian millions, post-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Adjusted book value
($ millions)

Reconciliation of Global WAM core earnings to core EBITDA
($ millions, pre-tax and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

Core EBITDA margin and core revenue
($ millions, unless otherwise stated)

Core expenses
($ millions, and based on actual foreign exchange rates in effect in the applicable reporting period, unless otherwise stated)

CAUTION REGARDING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

From time to time, Manulife makes written and/or oral forward-looking statements, including in this document. In addition, our representatives may make forward-looking statements orally to analysts, investors, the media and others. All such statements are made pursuant to the "safe harbour" provisions of Canadian provincial securities laws and the U.S. Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.

The forward-looking statements in this document include, but are not limited to, statements with respect to our ability to achieve our medium-term financial and operating targets, [the expected closing time of the reinsurance transaction described herein and its expected impact,] and the expected benefits and value derived from the use of AI and also relate to, among other things, our objectives, goals, strategies, intentions, plans, beliefs, expectations and estimates, and can generally be identified by the use of words such as "may", "will", "could", "should", "would", "likely", "suspect", "outlook", "expect", "intend", "estimate", "anticipate", "believe", "plan", "forecast", "objective", "seek", "aim", "continue", "goal", "restore", "embark" and "endeavour" (or the negative thereof) and words and expressions of similar import, and include statements concerning possible or assumed future results. Although we believe that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, such statements involve risks and uncertainties, and undue reliance should not be placed on such statements and they should not be interpreted as confirming market or analysts' expectations in any way.

Certain material factors or assumptions are applied in making forward-looking statements and actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied in such statements.

Important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include but are not limited to: general business and economic conditions (including but not limited to the performance, volatility and correlation of equity markets, interest rates, credit and swap spreads, inflation rates, currency rates, investment losses and defaults, market liquidity and creditworthiness of guarantors, reinsurers and counterparties); changes in laws and regulations; changes in accounting standards applicable in any of the territories in which we operate; changes in regulatory capital requirements; our ability to obtain premium rate increases on in-force policies; our ability to execute strategic plans and changes to strategic plans; downgrades in our financial strength or credit ratings; our ability to maintain our reputation; impairments of goodwill or intangible assets or the establishment of provisions against future tax assets; the accuracy of estimates relating to morbidity, mortality and policyholder behaviour; the accuracy of other estimates used in applying accounting policies and actuarial methods and embedded value methods; our ability to implement effective hedging strategies and unforeseen consequences arising from such strategies; our ability to source appropriate assets to back our long-dated liabilities; level of competition and consolidation; our ability to market and distribute products through current and future distribution channels; unforeseen liabilities or asset impairments arising from acquisitions and dispositions of businesses; the realization of losses arising from the sale of investments classified fair value through other comprehensive income; our liquidity, including the availability of financing to satisfy existing financial liabilities on expected maturity dates when required; obligations to pledge additional collateral; the availability of letters of credit to provide capital management flexibility; accuracy of information received from counterparties and the ability of counterparties to meet their obligations; the availability, affordability and adequacy of reinsurance; legal and regulatory proceedings, including tax audits, tax litigation or similar proceedings; our ability to adapt products and services to the changing market; our ability to attract and retain key executives, employees and agents; the appropriate use and interpretation of complex models or deficiencies in models used; political, legal, operational and other risks associated with our operations; geopolitical uncertainty, including international conflicts and trade disputes; acquisitions and our ability to complete acquisitions including the availability of equity and debt financing for this purpose; the disruption of or changes to key elements of the Company's or public infrastructure systems; environmental concerns, including climate change; our ability to protect our intellectual property and exposure to claims of infringement; [the receipt of required regulatory approvals with respect to the reinsurance transaction described herein;] our ability to execute our digital plans and to deploy future digital use cases, including with respect to AI, and our inability to withdraw cash from subsidiaries.

Additional information about material risk factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations and about material factors or assumptions applied in making forward-looking statements may be found under "Risk Management and Risk Factors" and "Critical Actuarial and Accounting Policies" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis in our most recent annual report, under "Risk Management and Risk Factors Update" and "Critical Actuarial and Accounting Policies" in the Management's Discussion and Analysis in our most recent interim report, and in the "Risk Management" note to the Consolidated Financial Statements in our most recent annual and interim reports, as well as elsewhere in our filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators.

The forward-looking statements in this document are, unless otherwise indicated, stated as of the date hereof and are presented for the purpose of assisting investors and others in understanding our financial position and results of operations, our future operations, as well as our objectives and strategic priorities, and may not be appropriate for other purposes. We do not undertake to update any forward-looking statements, except as required by law.                                            

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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation