The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Feb. 1, edition that CIBC World Markets analyst Paul Holden has lowered Manulife Financial to "neutral" from "underperformer" with a $30 share target, up from $28. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that analysts on average target the shares at $30.67. Mr. Holden says in a note: "While we have not changed our cautious view on Manulife's Hong Kong/China exposure, we do have to acknowledge that the long-term care reinsurance transaction has shifted sentiment and has reduced the risk premium being applied to the stock by more than we expected. The potential for further reinsurance transactions pushes us to a 'neutral' rating." The Globe reported on Oct. 27, 2022, that Mr. Holden rated Manulife "outperform." It was then worth $57.35. The Globe reported on May 13, 2023, and Jan. 26, 2024, that BMO Nesbitt Burns analyst Tom MacKinnon rated Manulife Financial "market perform." The shares could then be had for $21.86 and $29.39.