Feb 19 (Reuters) - Manulife Financial ( MFC ) posted a

6% jump in fourth-quarter profit on Wednesday, bolstered by

strong growth in Asia and a thriving wealth and asset management

business.

The company's core earnings jumped to C$1.91 billion ($1.34

billion), or C$1.03 per share, in the three months ended

December 31, from C$1.77 billion, or 92 Canadian cents per

share, a year earlier.

($1 = C$1.4226)