Manulife reports 2017 net income of $2.1 billion, core earnings of $4.6 billion, strong growth in Asia and Wealth and Asset Management and a dividend increase of 7%

Manulife today announced net income attributed to shareholders of $2,104 million for 2017, fully diluted earnings per common share of $0.98 and return on common shareholders' equity ("ROE") of 5.0%, compared with $2,929 million, $1.41 and 7.3%, respectively, for 2016. In 2017, Manulife generated core earnings of $4,565 million, fully diluted core earnings per common share of $2.22 and core return on common shareholders' equity ("core ROE") of 11.3%, compared with $4,021 million, $1.96 and 10.1%, respectively, for 2016.