Manulife Financial Corporation (MANULIFE-S, HKEX: 00945) has released its monthly return for the period ended 31 August 2026, showing a modest contraction in its Hong Kong–listed share count, driven primarily by share repurchases, partially offset by employee option exercises.

Key figures for August 2026:

• Ordinary share movement – The number of issued common shares (excluding treasury) fell by 2.43 million to 1.66 billion, a 0.15% month-on-month decrease.

• Share buybacks – Manulife cancelled 2.81 million common shares during August, accounting for the bulk of the net reduction.

• Employee option exercises – 0.38 million new common shares were issued under the Executive Stock Option Plan, generating CAD 9.02 million in proceeds.

• Treasury position – No treasury shares were held at month-end.

• Preference shares – Class 1 (80.20 million) and Series A (26.00 million) preferred share counts were unchanged.

The company affirmed that it meets the Hong Kong Exchange’s minimum public float requirements and remains exempt from Rules 13.32A to 13.32G under Rule 19C.11 as a secondary listed issuer.