Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Given Consensus Rating of "Moderate Buy" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analyst sentiment is moderately bullish: Twelve analysts give Sun Life Financial a consensus “Moderate Buy” rating, with an average 12-month price target of $98.67.
• Recent results exceeded expectations: Sun Life reported quarterly EPS of $1.46, above the $1.39 consensus estimate, while shares opened at $80.88 and were up 0.8%.
• Investors receive an attractive dividend: The company announced a quarterly dividend of $0.96 per share, equivalent to $3.84 annually and a 4.7% yield; institutional investors own 52.26% of the stock.

Shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF have earned a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" from the twelve analysts that are currently covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have given a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. The average 1 year price objective among brokerages that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $98.6667.

Several equities analysts have issued reports on the company. Scotiabank reiterated a "sector perform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research report on Monday, August 10th. Royal Bank Of Canada increased their target price on Sun Life Financial from $98.00 to $119.00 and gave the stock a "sector perform" rating in a report on Monday, August 10th. UBS Group restated a "neutral" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research note on Wednesday, September 2nd. Weiss Ratings upgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a "buy (b+)" rating to a "buy (a-)" rating in a research report on Monday, August 31st. Finally, Argus increased their price objective on shares of Sun Life Financial from $81.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, September 3rd.

Sun Life Financial Trading Up 0.8%

Shares of Sun Life Financial stock opened at $80.88 on Friday. The stock has a market capitalization of $49.26 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 18.91, a P/E/G ratio of 2.00 and a beta of 0.87. Sun Life Financial has a 1-year low of $57.22 and a 1-year high of $84.38. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $80.65 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $74.07.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last posted its earnings results on Thursday, August 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.46 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.39 by $0.07. The company had revenue of $10.10 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $994.33 million. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 7.66% and a return on equity of 17.96%. As a group, equities research analysts predict that Sun Life Financial will post 5.74 EPS for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Announces Dividend

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 29th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, August 26th will be given a dividend of $0.96 per share. This represents a $3.84 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.7%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, August 26th. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio is presently 64.02%.

Institutional Inflows and Outflows

Large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the company. BlackRock Inc. acquired a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial during the second quarter worth $81,587,000. Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new position in Sun Life Financial in the second quarter valued at about $2,888,000. Korea Investment CORP bought a new position in Sun Life Financial during the second quarter worth about $35,531,000. Osmosis Investment Management UK Ltd bought a new position in Sun Life Financial during the second quarter worth about $1,637,000. Finally, Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. acquired a new position in shares of Sun Life Financial during the 2nd quarter worth about $78,481,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.26% of the company's stock.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial Inc is a Canada-based financial services company that provides insurance, wealth, and asset management products to individuals, businesses, and institutions. Its offerings include life, health, and dental insurance; retirement and investment solutions; group benefits; and financial planning services.

Through its asset management operations, Sun Life serves institutional and individual investors with investment management and related advisory services. The company also provides workplace benefit and retirement programs designed to support employers and their employees.

Founded in 1865, Sun Life serves customers in Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and several markets in Asia.

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