Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Stock Holdings Lifted by Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank

Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank boosted its stake in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF by 7.4% in the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The fund owned 423,044 shares of the financial services provider's stock after acquiring an additional 29,144 shares during the period. Zurcher Kantonalbank Zurich Cantonalbank owned about 0.07% of Sun Life Financial worth $22,047,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

A number of other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of the stock. Money Concepts Capital Corp purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the fourth quarter valued at about $26,000. Achmea Investment Management B.V. purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the first quarter valued at about $32,000. IFP Advisors Inc raised its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial by 166.9% in the second quarter. IFP Advisors Inc now owns 678 shares of the financial services provider's stock valued at $35,000 after buying an additional 424 shares during the last quarter. Headinvest LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the third quarter valued at about $39,000. Finally, Legacy Financial Group LLC purchased a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the third quarter valued at about $40,000. 52.26% of the stock is owned by hedge funds and other institutional investors.

Sun Life Financial Trading Up 0.9 %

Shares of Sun Life Financial stock traded up $0.47 on Thursday, reaching $50.68. 338,723 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 615,355. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 1-year low of $44.57 and a 1-year high of $55.46. The business has a fifty day moving average price of $53.65 and a two-hundred day moving average price of $51.19. The firm has a market capitalization of $29.52 billion, a PE ratio of 12.94, a PEG ratio of 1.24 and a beta of 1.01.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 7th. The financial services provider reported $1.23 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of $1.17 by $0.06. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 7.79% and a return on equity of 17.30%. The business had revenue of $13.73 billion for the quarter. Research analysts expect that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.06 EPS for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Thursday, March 28th. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 28th were paid a dividend of $0.581 per share. This represents a $2.32 dividend on an annualized basis and a dividend yield of 4.59%. This is a positive change from Sun Life Financial's previous quarterly dividend of $0.56. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Tuesday, February 27th. Sun Life Financial's payout ratio is 59.79%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

Separately, Jefferies Financial Group initiated coverage on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Thursday, February 22nd. They issued a "buy" rating for the company.

About Sun Life Financial

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.