1. Ocehan LLC's mini-tender offer targets 50,000 MFC shares at $35.80 each. 2. The offer price is 24.88% below MFC's recent closing prices. 3. Manulife distance themselves from Ocehan, advising against the offer. 4. Investors warned about potential traps in mini-tender offers. 5. Shareholders should consult advisors before responding to any offers.
FAQ
Why Bearish?
The mini-tender offer's significant discount compared to market prices may discourage investors from holding MFC shares, reflecting negative sentiment similar to prior unsolicited offers in the market.
How important is it?
The unsolicited offer directly relates to MFC's shares, impacting investor psychology and trading volume.
Why Short Term?
Immediate investor response to the offer will likely affect MFC's stock price in the near term; similar cases historically demonstrate quick reactions to such offers.
C$ unless otherwise stated TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC SEHK: 945
TORONTO , Dec. 22, 2025 /CNW/ - Manulife has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by Ocehan LLC (Ocehan) to purchase up to 50,000 Manulife common shares, or less than 0.003% of the common shares outstanding, at a price of $35.80 per share.
Manulife is in no way associated with Ocehan and does not recommend or endorse acceptance of this unsolicited offer.
Manulife cautions shareholders that the mini-tender offer has been made at a price below the current market price for Manulife shares. The offer represents a discount of approximately 24.88% and 24.67%, respectively, below the closing prices of Manulife common shares on the TSX and NYSE on November 19, 2025, the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced, and a discount of 28.29% and 28.16%, respectively, below the closing prices on the TSX and NYSE on December 19, 2025.
Mini-tender offers are designed to seek less than 5% of a company's outstanding shares, avoiding disclosure and procedural requirements applicable to most bids under Canadian and U.S. securities regulations. The Canadian Securities Administrators (CSA) and the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) have expressed serious concerns about mini-tender offers, including the possibility that investors might tender to such offers without understanding the offer price relative to the actual market price of their securities.
The SEC states that "bidders make mini-tender offers at below-market prices, hoping that they will catch investors off guard if the investors do not compare the offer price to the current market price."
Shareholders should carefully review the Ocehan offer documents and current market price for Manulife shares, and consult their investment advisors regarding any offer they may receive and review with their advisors all options for their investment in Manulife shares.
Manulife has stock transfer agents providing shareholder services in Canada, the United States, Hong Kong and the Philippines. These local agents provide services directly to our registered shareholders and can provide information on share account management, direct deposit of dividends, dividend reinvestment and share purchase plans. Please email manulifeinquiries@tmx.com for more information.
Manulife requests that a copy of this news release be included in any distribution of materials relating to Ocehan's mini-tender offer for Manulife common shares.
About Manulife
Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider, helping our customers make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we operate as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States, providing financial advice and insurance for individuals, groups and businesses. Through Manulife Wealth & Asset Management, we offer global investment, financial advice, and retirement plan services to individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2024, we had more than 37,000 employees, over 109,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 36 million customers. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges, and under '945' in Hong Kong. Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions.
For additional information, please visit manulife.com.
Media Relations
Fiona McLean
Manulife
437-441-7491
fiona_mclean@manulife.com
Investor Relations
Derek Theobalds
Manulife
416-254-1774
derek_theobalds@manulife.com
View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/manulife-cautions-investors-regarding-ocehan-llc-offer-for-shares-302647673.html
SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation
View original content to download multimedia: http://www.newswire.ca/en/releases/archive/December2025/22/c5003.html