Stifel Financial Corp Increases Position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF)

Stifel Financial Corp grew its position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF by 40.6% in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent 13F filing with the Securities and Exchange Commission. The firm owned 63,240 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 18,263 shares during the quarter. Stifel Financial Corp's holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $3,753,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

Other hedge funds and other institutional investors have also made changes to their positions in the company. Human Investing LLC acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new position in shares of Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter valued at approximately $40,000. BankPlus Trust Department acquired a new position in shares of Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the fourth quarter worth $45,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new position in Sun Life Financial in the third quarter valued at $51,000. Institutional investors own 52.26% of the company's stock.

Sun Life Financial Stock Performance

Shares of SLF traded up $0.53 during mid-day trading on Wednesday, hitting $60.39. 45,558 shares of the company's stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 676,655. The company has a market cap of $34.27 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 15.72, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.90. The stock's 50-day moving average is $56.63 and its 200-day moving average is $57.94. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $46.41 and a fifty-two week high of $62.85.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of $0.90 by $0.30. Sun Life Financial had a return on equity of 16.86% and a net margin of 8.08%. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th were paid a $0.5876 dividend. This represents a $2.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 3.89%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio is currently 60.16%.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

SLF has been the topic of a number of recent analyst reports. Scotiabank reiterated an "outperform" rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research report on Thursday, May 1st. StockNews.com cut shares of Sun Life Financial from a "buy" rating to a "hold" rating in a research note on Wednesday, February 5th. National Bank Financial upgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a "sector perform" rating to an "outperform" rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Cormark raised shares of Sun Life Financial from a "hold" rating to a "moderate buy" rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, two have given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. According to data from MarketBeat, the company currently has a consensus rating of "Moderate Buy".

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.