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

Guardian Partners Inc. purchased a new position in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) during the fourth quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The fund purchased 162,908 shares of the financial services provider’s stock, valued at approximately $9,529,000.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also modified their holdings of the company. Human Investing LLC acquired a new stake in shares of Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Asset Planning Inc acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. BankPlus Trust Department acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $40,000. Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 4th quarter valued at $45,000. Finally, Wilmington Savings Fund Society FSB acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial during the 3rd quarter valued at $51,000. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.26% of the company’s stock.

Wall Street Analyst Weigh In

A number of equities research analysts have commented on SLF shares. StockNews.com cut Sun Life Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. Cormark upgraded Sun Life Financial from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a report on Thursday, February 13th. Finally, National Bank Financial upgraded Sun Life Financial from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company presently has an average rating of “Moderate Buy”.

Sun Life Financial Stock Down 0.8 %

Shares of Sun Life Financial stock opened at $56.23 on Friday. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a fifty-two week low of $46.41 and a fifty-two week high of $62.85. The firm has a market cap of $35.15 billion, a PE ratio of 14.64, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.04. The business’s fifty day moving average is $56.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is $57.89.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 earnings per share for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates 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 research analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

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

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.