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

Value Partners Investments Inc. lowered its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF by 91.1% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 101,634 shares of the financial services provider's stock after selling 1,040,456 shares during the quarter. Sun Life Financial comprises about 3.4% of Value Partners Investments Inc.'s holdings, making the stock its 4th largest position. 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).

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

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of research firms recently issued reports on SLF. Royal Bank of Canada increased their target price on shares of Sun Life Financial from $82.00 to $88.00 and gave the stock an "outperform" rating in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Scotiabank reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. BMO Capital Markets reissued an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research report on Monday, May 12th. Wall Street Zen cut Sun Life Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, Cormark upgraded Sun Life Financial from a "hold" rating to a "moderate buy" rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, four have assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Sun Life Financial currently has an average rating of "Moderate Buy" and a consensus price target of $88.00.

Sun Life Financial Price Performance

NYSE SLF traded down $0.51 on Wednesday, reaching $63.78. The company had a trading volume of 527,025 shares, compared to its average volume of 654,486. The firm has a market capitalization of $36.02 billion, a PE ratio of 16.61, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.90. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 1 year low of $46.41 and a 1 year high of $64.65. The firm has a 50-day moving average of $58.77 and a 200-day moving average of $58.53.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last released its quarterly earnings results on Thursday, May 8th. The financial services provider reported $1.27 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.22 by $0.05. The firm had revenue of $7.91 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts' expectations of $6.44 billion. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 16.86% and a net margin of 8.08%. During the same quarter in the prior year, the business earned $1.40 EPS. As a group, sell-side analysts expect that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, June 30th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, May 28th will be paid a dividend of $0.6332 per share. This is a boost from Sun Life Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.53 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 3.97%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, May 28th. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio is 62.09%.

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.