Desjardins Reduces Earnings Estimates for Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF - Stock analysts at Desjardins dropped their Q1 2025 earnings per share (EPS) estimates for Sun Life Financial in a note issued to investors on Thursday, April 17th. Desjardins analyst D. Young now forecasts that the financial services provider will post earnings of $1.22 per share for the quarter, down from their prior forecast of $1.23. The consensus estimate for Sun Life Financial's current full-year earnings is $5.19 per share. Desjardins also issued estimates for Sun Life Financial's FY2026 earnings at $5.47 EPS.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.30. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 8.08% and a return on equity of 16.86%.

A number of other equities research analysts have also weighed in on the company. StockNews.com lowered Sun Life Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Cormark raised Sun Life Financial from a "hold" rating to a "moderate buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company's stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

Sun Life Financial Trading Up 1.3 %

Sun Life Financial stock traded up $0.77 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching $57.97. The company had a trading volume of 120,040 shares, compared to its average volume of 684,935. The business has a fifty day simple moving average of $55.83 and a 200 day simple moving average of $57.81. The company has a market cap of $32.90 billion, a P/E ratio of 15.10, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.87. Sun Life Financial has a fifty-two week low of $46.41 and a fifty-two week high of $62.85.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th were given a dividend of $0.5876 per share. This represents a $2.35 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.05%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.16%.

Hedge Funds Weigh In On Sun Life Financial

Several institutional investors have recently added to or reduced their stakes in the business. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial by 1.7% in the first quarter. NorthCrest Asset Manangement LLC now owns 10,801 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $618,000 after purchasing an additional 180 shares in the last quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC boosted its holdings in Sun Life Financial by 2.1% during the 4th quarter. Private Advisor Group LLC now owns 8,643 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $513,000 after acquiring an additional 181 shares during the last quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC grew its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 5.4% in the 4th quarter. Checchi Capital Advisers LLC now owns 3,719 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $221,000 after acquiring an additional 192 shares in the last quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH raised its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial by 0.7% in the fourth quarter. Erste Asset Management GmbH now owns 28,400 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $1,693,000 after purchasing an additional 200 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC raised its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial by 4.5% in the fourth quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 5,147 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $305,000 after purchasing an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. 52.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sun Life Financial Company 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.