Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. Raises Holdings in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF)

Crossmark Global Holdings Inc. lifted its position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF by 6.2% during the first quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 211,272 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 12,381 shares during the period. Crossmark Global Holdings Inc.'s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $12,097,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors have also recently made changes to their positions in the company. Norges Bank acquired a new position in Sun Life Financial during the fourth quarter worth $382,176,000. Intact Investment Management Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 295.5% in the 4th quarter. Intact Investment Management Inc. now owns 1,911,027 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $113,453,000 after purchasing an additional 1,427,815 shares during the last quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP lifted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 2,071.4% in the 4th quarter. Wellington Management Group LLP now owns 1,350,751 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $80,160,000 after purchasing an additional 1,288,545 shares during the last quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board lifted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 71.9% in the 4th quarter. Canada Pension Plan Investment Board now owns 2,867,939 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $170,068,000 after purchasing an additional 1,200,000 shares during the last quarter. Finally, Value Partners Investments Inc. lifted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 1,002.9% in the 1st quarter. Value Partners Investments Inc. now owns 1,120,888 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $64,216,000 after purchasing an additional 1,019,254 shares during the last quarter. 52.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sun Life Financial Price Performance

Shares of SLF traded down $0.61 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, reaching $61.56. The company's stock had a trading volume of 692,478 shares, compared to its average volume of 627,088. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 12-month low of $46.41 and a 12-month high of $66.81. The stock has a market cap of $34.70 billion, a PE ratio of 15.66, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.68 and a beta of 0.91. The company's 50 day moving average is $63.60 and its 200 day moving average is $59.36.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last released its quarterly earnings data on Thursday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, beating analysts' consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.05. The business had revenue of $7.91 billion for the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of $6.44 billion. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 17.33% and a net margin of 7.47%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business posted $1.40 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 28th were given a $0.6332 dividend. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, May 28th. This is a boost from Sun Life Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.53 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.11%. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio is 64.89%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SLF has been the topic of several research analyst reports. Barclays downgraded Sun Life Financial from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Thursday, May 1st. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Monday, May 12th. Finally, Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on Sun Life Financial from $82.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. One investment analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, one has issued a hold rating and four have given a buy rating to the company's stock. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sun Life Financial has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average price target of $88.00.

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.