Manulife cautions investors regarding Ocehan LLC offer for shares

C$ unless otherwise stated                                            TSX/NYSE/PSE: MFC     SEHK: 945

TORONTO, Feb. 25, 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 $34.20 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 19.83% and 20.07%, respectively, below the closing prices of Manulife common shares on the TSX and NYSE on February 3, 2025, the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced, and a discount of 20.35% and 20.12%, respectively, below the closing prices on the TSX and NYSE on February 24, 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. 
 
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Media Relations
Fiona McLean
Manulife
437-441-7491
fiona_mclean@manulife.com

Investor Relations
Hung Ko
Manulife
416-806-9921
hung_ko@manulife.com

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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation