Manulife Financial (HKG:0945) recorded C$2.11 billion ($1.51 billion) in attributable net income for the second quarter, up 17% from C$1.79 billion a year earlier, according to a Wednesday filing with the Hong Kong bourse.

Earnings per share were C$1.20, compared with C$0.98 in the prior year period.

Core earnings rose 12% year on year, to C$1.92 billion from C$1.73 billion, while core EPS increased 16% to C$1.09 from C$0.95.

The insurer's core ROE stood at 16.3%, up 130 basis points from 15% in the year-ago period.

Manulife declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.485 per common share, payable on or after Sept. 19.