Manulife Reports Strong Q2 2026 Growth Driven by Insurance and AI

The company reported core earnings of $1.9 billion, a 12% increase on a constant exchange rate basis compared to the same period last year. Net income attributed to shareholders reached $2.1 billion, bolstered by favorable market returns and high-quality growth in its insurance portfolio. Notably, the firm’s core return on equity climbed to 16.3%, reflecting the success of its high-growth business units.

Operational momentum remained strong in Asia, where core earnings rose 21%. Global Wealth and Asset Management also expanded margins, supported by contributions from recent acquisitions including CQS and Comvest. President and CEO Phil Witherington highlighted the company's aggressive integration of artificial intelligence, which earned Manulife top industry rankings for AI maturity. Furthermore, the company returned $2.6 billion to shareholders through dividends and buybacks during the first half of the year, underscoring a disciplined approach to capital deployment as it continues to reduce its risk profile through strategic reinsurance transactions.