Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Shares Purchased by Erste Asset Management GmbH

Erste Asset Management GmbH boosted its position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) by 0.7% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 28,400 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after acquiring an additional 200 shares during the period. Erste Asset Management GmbH’s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $1,693,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other institutional investors also recently bought and sold shares of the company. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the fourth quarter valued at $26,000. Assetmark Inc. grew its holdings in Sun Life Financial by 2,747.4% in the third quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 541 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $31,000 after purchasing an additional 522 shares during the period. Asset Planning Inc acquired a new position in Sun Life Financial during the fourth quarter worth approximately $40,000. BankPlus Trust Department acquired a new position in shares of Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Finally, Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. 52.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sun Life Financial Price Performance

NYSE:SLF opened at $55.40 on Friday. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 12 month low of $46.41 and a 12 month high of $62.85. The business’s 50-day moving average is $56.98 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.79. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.74 billion, a PE ratio of 14.43, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.04.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) last released its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.30. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 16.86% and a net margin of 8.08%. Equities analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th will be paid a $0.5876 dividend. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 26th. This represents a $2.35 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.24%. Sun Life Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have issued reports on the company. National Bank Financial raised Sun Life Financial from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Cormark raised shares of Sun Life Financial from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, StockNews.com cut shares of Sun Life Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has assigned a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, the stock has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Sun Life Financial Profile

Sun Life Financial Inc, a financial services company, provides savings, retirement, and pension products worldwide. The company operates in five segments: Asset Management, Canada, U.S., Asia, and Corporate. It offers various insurance products, such as term and permanent life; personal health, which includes prescription drugs, dental, and vision care; critical illness; long-term care; and disability, as well as reinsurance.