Natixis Acquires 25,838 Shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF)

Natixis boosted its stake in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) by 143.9% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The fund owned 43,795 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 25,838 shares during the period. Natixis’ holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $2,599,000 as of its most recent filing with the SEC.

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

Sun Life Financial Stock Performance

Shares of SLF opened at $56.60 on Tuesday. The firm has a market cap of $32.31 billion, a P/E ratio of 14.74, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 0.87. The business has a 50-day moving average of $55.80 and a 200 day moving average of $57.82. 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) (TSE:SLF) last issued its quarterly earnings results on Wednesday, February 12th. The financial services provider reported $1.20 EPS for the quarter, topping analysts’ consensus estimates of $0.90 by $0.30. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 8.08% and a return on equity of 16.86%. As a group, research analysts predict that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The business also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 26th were issued a $0.5876 dividend. This represents a $2.35 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.15%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 60.16%.

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

Several research firms have recently issued reports on SLF. Cormark upgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. StockNews.com cut Sun Life Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Wednesday, February 5th. Finally, National Bank Financial raised shares of Sun Life Financial from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a report on Wednesday, January 15th. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has given a strong buy rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat, the stock currently has a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy”.

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.