Manulife Financial Corporation MFC is slated to report fourth-quarter 2018 results on Feb 13 after market close. The company delivered positive surprise for all the three reported quarters of 2018.Factors in Q4Manulife Financial is likely to benefit from solid Asian operations, expansion of its wealth and asset management business and cost-savings initiatives.Asia contributes significantly to the company’s earnings. New business growth in Asia should thus support the company’s operations. The fourth quarter should benefit from Manulife’s expanded distribution network across the region as well as strengthening of strategically important distribution agreements with key partners in Japan and Indonesia.Expansion of its wealth and asset management business likely helped generate positive net flows. Manulife Asset Management is expected to benefit from its compelling presence in North America and in Asia.Strategic acquisitions should continue to drive operational results.Manulife is focusing on lowering costs, aiming an expense efficiency ratio of less than 50% or $1 billion in cost savings and avoidance by 2022. The company’s significant cost savings are likely to aid margin expansion. Expense efficiency ratio is likely to improve on core earnings growth and lower core expense.The Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents for the to-be reported quarter indicates 8.7% year- over-year growth.What Our Quantitative Model SaysOur proven model shows that Manulife Financial is likely to beat estimates in the to-be-reported quarter. This is because it has the right combination of a positive Earnings ESP and a favorable Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy), 2 (Buy) or 3 (Hold).Earnings ESP: Manulife Financial has an Earnings ESP of +3.03% as the Most Accurate Estimate of 51 is higher than the Zacks Consensus Estimate of 50 cents. You can uncover the best stocks to buy or sell before they are reported with our Earnings ESP Filter.Manulife Financial Corp Price and EPS Surprise Manulife Financial Corp Price and EPS Surprise | Manulife Financial Corp QuoteZacks Rank: Manulife Financial carries a Zacks Rank #3 (Hold), which increases the predictive power of an Earnings ESP. This combined with Earnings ESP of +3.03% makes us confident of a positive surprise.Zacks Rank #4 (Sell or 5 (Strong Sell) stocks should never be considered going into an earnings announcement, especially when the company is seeing negative estimate revisions.Stocks to ConsiderSome stocks from the finance sector with the right combination of elements to surpass estimates this time around are as follows:AerCap Holdings N.V. AER is set to report fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 14. The company has an Earnings ESP of +1.44% and a Zacks Rank #2. You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.Agree Realty Corp. ADC has an Earnings ESP of +0.88% and a Zacks Rank of 3. The company is slated to announce fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 21.American Tower Corp. (REIT) AMT has an Earnings ESP of +0.29% and is a Zacks #3 Ranked player. The company is scheduled to release fourth-quarter earnings on Feb 27.Is Your Investment Advisor Fumbling Your Financial Future?See how you can more effectively safeguard your retirement with a new Special Report, “4 Warning Signs Your Investment Advisor Might Be Sabotaging Your Financial Future.”Click to get it free >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report American Tower Corporation (REIT) (AMT): Free Stock Analysis Report Aercap Holdings N.V. (AER): Free Stock Analysis Report Manulife Financial Corp (MFC): Get Free Report Agree Realty Corporation (ADC): Get Free Report To read this article on Zacks.com click here. Zacks Investment Research