Signaturefd LLC Grows Stake in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF)

Signaturefd LLC grew its holdings in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) by 5.6% in the 4th quarter, according to the company in its most recent filing with the SEC. The firm owned 26,727 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 1,408 shares during the quarter. Signaturefd LLC’s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $1,586,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

Other institutional investors and hedge funds have also bought and sold shares of the company. Human Investing LLC purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $26,000. Assetmark Inc. lifted its holdings in Sun Life Financial by 2,747.4% in the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 541 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 522 shares during the period. Asset Planning Inc purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. BankPlus Trust Department purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $40,000. Finally, Dixon Mitchell Investment Counsel Inc. purchased a new stake in Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $45,000. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.26% of the company’s stock.

Sun Life Financial Stock Up 2.1 %

SLF opened at $56.57 on Tuesday. The stock has a market cap of $35.36 billion, a PE ratio of 14.73, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.04. The business has a 50 day moving average of $56.94 and a 200-day moving average of $57.85. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 52 week low of $46.41 and a 52 week high of $62.85.

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

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The business also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 26th will be given a dividend of $0.5876 per share. This represents a $2.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.15%. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is presently 60.16%.

Analysts Set New Price Targets

SLF has been the subject of several research analyst reports. StockNews.com cut Sun Life Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a report on Wednesday, February 5th. National Bank Financial upgraded Sun Life Financial from a “sector perform” rating to an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, January 15th. Finally, Cormark upgraded Sun Life Financial from a “hold” rating to a “moderate buy” rating in a research note on Thursday, February 13th. 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 stock. Based on data from MarketBeat, Sun Life Financial has an average 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.