Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) is Value Partners Investments Inc.'s 4th Largest Position

Value Partners Investments Inc. reduced its stake in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF by 91.1% during the fourth quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The institutional investor owned 101,634 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 1,040,456 shares during the period. Sun Life Financial accounts for 3.4% of Value Partners Investments Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 4th biggest holding. Value Partners Investments Inc.'s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $6,029,000 as of its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC).

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently modified their holdings of the company. Human Investing LLC purchased a new position in Sun Life Financial during the fourth quarter valued at approximately $26,000. Asset Planning Inc bought a new position in Sun Life Financial in the fourth quarter worth about $40,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial during the fourth quarter valued at about $40,000. GeoWealth Management LLC grew its position in shares of Sun Life Financial by 4,657.1% in the 4th quarter. GeoWealth Management LLC now owns 999 shares of the financial services provider's stock worth $59,000 after buying an additional 978 shares during the last quarter. Finally, JFS Wealth Advisors LLC lifted its position in Sun Life Financial by 432.0% during the fourth quarter. JFS Wealth Advisors LLC now owns 1,032 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $61,000 after acquiring an additional 838 shares during the last quarter. Institutional investors own 52.26% of the company's stock.

Sun Life Financial Trading Up 1.1%

NYSE SLF traded up $0.73 on Friday, hitting $64.84. 205,326 shares of the company's stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 645,374. The firm's 50-day moving average price is $59.06 and its two-hundred day moving average price is $58.60. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 1-year low of $46.41 and a 1-year high of $65.34. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.61 billion, a PE ratio of 16.90, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.90.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last posted its earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $1.27 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $1.22 by $0.05. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 16.86% and a net margin of 8.08%. The firm had revenue of $7.91 billion for the quarter, compared to analyst estimates of $6.44 billion. During the same period last year, the company earned $1.40 earnings per share. On average, research analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Investors of record on Wednesday, May 28th will be given a dividend of $0.6332 per share. This represents a $2.53 annualized dividend and a yield of 3.91%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 28th. This is a positive change from Sun Life Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 62.09%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several brokerages have recently commented on SLF. Wall Street Zen lowered Sun Life Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. BMO Capital Markets reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Monday, May 12th. Royal Bank of Canada upped their price objective on shares of Sun Life Financial from $82.00 to $88.00 and gave the company an "outperform" rating in a report on Monday, May 12th. Cormark upgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a "hold" rating to a "moderate buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, Scotiabank reaffirmed an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Thursday, May 1st. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the company. According to MarketBeat, Sun Life Financial currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy" and an average 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.