Manulife cautions investors regarding Obatan LLC offer for shares

Rhea-AI Summary

Manulife has received notice of an unsolicited mini-tender offer from Obatan LLC, aiming to purchase 500,000 shares at USD$12.00 each, representing a 31.37% to 35.24% discount from recent market prices. Manulife warns that this offer is below the market value and is not endorsed by the company, which stresses that mini-tender offers can mislead investors. Shareholders are advised to evaluate offer documents and consult their advisors before making decisions. The offer is valid until July 14, 2022.

Positive

• None.

Negative

• Obatan's offer is significantly below market price, potentially misleading investors.
• The offer represents a 31.37% to 35.24% discount compared to recent closing prices.

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

TORONTO, June 1, 2022 /PRNewswire/ - Manulife has been notified of an unsolicited mini-tender offer made by Obatan LLC (Obatan) to purchase up to 500,000 Manulife common shares, or approximately 0.026% of the common shares outstanding, at a price of USD$12.00 per share.

Manulife is in no way associated with Obatan 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 31.37% and 31.51%, respectively, below the closing prices of Manulife common shares on the TSX and NYSE on May 20, 2022, the last trading day before the mini-tender offer was commenced, and a discount of 35.22% and 35.24%, respectively, below the closing prices on the TSX and NYSE on May 31, 2022.

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."

According to Obatan's offer documents, Manulife shareholders who have already tendered their shares can withdraw their shares at any time before 5:00 P.M. New York City Time on July 14, 2022 by following the procedures described in the offer documents.

Shareholders should carefully review the Obatan 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 Obatan's mini-tender offer for Manulife common shares.

About Manulife

Manulife Financial Corporation is a leading international financial services provider that helps people make their decisions easier and lives better. With our global headquarters in Toronto, Canada, we provide financial advice and insurance, operating as Manulife across Canada, Asia, and Europe, and primarily as John Hancock in the United States. Through Manulife Investment Management, the global brand for our global wealth and asset management segment, we serve individuals, institutions, and retirement plan members worldwide. At the end of 2021, we had more than 38,000 employees, over 119,000 agents, and thousands of distribution partners, serving over 33 million customers. Our principal operations are in Asia and Canada, and the United States, where we have served customers for more than 160 years. We trade as 'MFC' on the Toronto, New York, and the Philippine stock exchanges and under '945' in Hong Kong. In the previous 12 months we made CAD$32.7 billion in payments to our customers.

Not all offerings are available in all jurisdictions. For additional information, please visit manulife.com.

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SOURCE Manulife Financial Corporation

FAQ

What is the mini-tender offer made by Obatan LLC for Manulife stock (MFC)?

Obatan LLC has made a mini-tender offer to purchase 500,000 common shares of Manulife at USD$12.00 each.

How much discount does Obatan's mini-tender offer represent for Manulife shares?

The offer represents a discount of approximately 31.37% to 35.24% from recent closing prices.

Is Manulife endorsing Obatan's mini-tender offer for MFC shares?

No, Manulife does not endorse or recommend acceptance of Obatan's unsolicited offer.

What should Manulife shareholders do regarding Obatan's offer?

Shareholders should review the offer documents carefully and consult their investment advisors before making any decisions.

What is the deadline for Manulife shareholders to withdraw their shares from Obatan's offer?

Shareholders can withdraw their shares any time before 5:00 P.M. New York City Time on July 14, 2022.