MANULIFE-S (00945) launches the "regular issuer tender offer" plan to repurchase and cancel up to 42 million ordinary shares.

MANULIFE-S (00945) announced that it has received approval from the Toronto Stock Exchange to commence its previously announced "normal course issuer bid" program. The program allows Manulife to repurchase and cancel up to 42 million common shares, representing approximately 2.5% of the total outstanding common shares. As of February 10, 2026, Manulife has issued a total of 1,676,751,543 common shares. The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions Canada had previously approved this "normal course issuer bid" program. Under the "normal course issuer bid" program, Manulife may repurchase up to 1,483,481 common shares on any trading day on the Toronto Stock Exchange, subject to compliance with the relevant large trading rules of the exchange. This amount represents 25% of the average daily trading volume of 5,933,925 common shares on the exchange for the six-month period ending on January 31, 2026. The repurchases under the "normal course issuer bid" can begin on February 24, 2026, and will continue until the bid expires on February 23, 2027, or until Manulife completes the repurchases earlier. The "normal course issuer bid" program allows Manulife to flexibly repurchase common shares as part of its capital management strategy. The strategy aims to maintain a strong regulatory capital ratio while also seeking to create value for shareholders. The repurchases under the "normal course issuer bid" program can be executed through the Toronto Stock Exchange, New York Stock Exchange, and other designated trading systems in Canada and the United States at prevailing market prices or other approved prices. All common shares purchased by Manulife under the bid will be canceled. All repurchase transactions must comply with applicable Canadian securities laws and U.S. federal securities laws.