Quantbot Technologies LP Invests $1.47 Million in Sun Life Financial Inc. $SLF

Key Points

• Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Sun Life Financial Inc., purchasing 25,738 shares valued at approximately $1,474,000 in the first quarter.
• Sun Life Financial has announced a quarterly dividend increase to $0.6394, reflecting an annualized dividend of $2.56 with a dividend yield of 4.3%.
• Wall Street analysts have mixed ratings on Sun Life Financial, with an average rating of "Hold" and a consensus price target of $88.00 per share.

Quantbot Technologies LP acquired a new position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF in the first quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The firm acquired 25,738 shares of the financial services provider's stock, valued at approximately $1,474,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently added to or reduced their stakes in SLF. Korea Investment CORP lifted its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial by 13.6% in the first quarter. Korea Investment CORP now owns 484,568 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $27,729,000 after purchasing an additional 57,863 shares in the last quarter. Northern Trust Corp raised its position in Sun Life Financial by 5.9% during the first quarter. Northern Trust Corp now owns 522,752 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $29,933,000 after buying an additional 29,222 shares during the period. Aviso Financial Inc. lifted its stake in Sun Life Financial by 9.7% in the 1st quarter. Aviso Financial Inc. now owns 114,218 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $6,539,000 after acquiring an additional 10,097 shares in the last quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. grew its stake in Sun Life Financial by 6.8% during the 1st quarter. Northwest & Ethical Investments L.P. now owns 735,766 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $42,135,000 after acquiring an additional 46,792 shares in the last quarter. Finally, American Century Companies Inc. increased its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial by 7.4% in the 1st quarter. American Century Companies Inc. now owns 180,809 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $10,348,000 after purchasing an additional 12,510 shares during the period. 52.26% of the stock is currently owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sun Life Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE SLF traded up $0.47 during mid-day trading on Tuesday, reaching $58.54. 3,608,396 shares of the company traded hands, compared to its average volume of 707,126. The company's fifty day moving average is $61.84 and its two-hundred day moving average is $59.81. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $52.44 and a fifty-two week high of $66.81. The stock has a market cap of $32.97 billion, a PE ratio of 14.49, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.58 and a beta of 0.90.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last announced its earnings results on Thursday, August 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.29 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, hitting analysts' consensus estimates of $1.29. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 17.21% and a net margin of 7.59%.The firm had revenue of $6.65 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $7.34 billion. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.11 earnings per share. Research analysts forecast that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 earnings per share for the current year.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

Several analysts recently commented on SLF shares. Scotiabank upgraded shares of Sun Life Financial to a "hold" rating in a report on Thursday, July 31st. BMO Capital Markets reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Barclays cut shares of Sun Life Financial from an "equal weight" rating to an "underweight" rating in a report on Monday, July 7th. Royal Bank Of Canada upped their price target on shares of Sun Life Financial from $82.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research note on Monday, May 12th. Finally, National Bank Financial cut Sun Life Financial from a "strong-buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research report on Thursday, August 7th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a Buy rating, two have issued a Hold rating and one has given a Sell rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat.com, Sun Life Financial has a consensus rating of "Hold" and a consensus target price of $88.00.

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.