162,908 Shares in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Bought by Guardian Partners Inc.

Guardian Partners Inc. bought a new position in shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) in the 4th quarter, according to its most recent Form 13F filing with the SEC. The fund bought 162,908 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $9,529,000.

Several other institutional investors and hedge funds have also recently bought and sold shares of SLF. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $26,000. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $40,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter worth about $45,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $51,000. 52.26% of the stock is owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Several analysts have recently weighed in on SLF shares. StockNews.com downgraded Sun Life Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. National Bank Financial raised Sun Life Financial from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Cormark raised Sun Life Financial from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. Two analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has assigned a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Sun Life Financial Trading Down 0.8 %

NYSE SLF opened at $56.23 on Friday. The business’s 50 day moving average is $56.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.89. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 12-month low of $46.41 and a 12-month high of $62.85. The stock has a market capitalization of $35.15 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.64, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.04.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) last released its earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 earnings per share (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%. Equities analysts forecast that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Shareholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th will be given a dividend of $0.5876 per share. This represents a $2.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.18%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial’s payout ratio is 60.16%.

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.