Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Given Consensus Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) have been given a consensus rating of “Moderate Buy” by the twelve brokerages that are presently covering the company, MarketBeat Ratings reports. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a sell rating, five have assigned a hold rating, five have issued a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 12-month price target among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is $84.6667.

A number of research analysts have commented on the company. Scotiabank restated a “sector perform” rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a research note on Wednesday, July 15th. Argus set a $81.00 target price on Sun Life Financial in a research note on Wednesday, June 10th. Canadian Imperial Bank of Commerce reiterated a “neutral” rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Friday, May 8th. Wall Street Zen raised Sun Life Financial from a “sell” rating to a “hold” rating in a research report on Sunday, July 26th. Finally, BMO Capital Markets restated an “outperform” rating on shares of Sun Life Financial in a report on Friday, May 8th.

Sun Life Financial Price Performance

NYSE SLF opened at $81.83 on Thursday. The company has a market cap of $45.60 billion, a P/E ratio of 21.09 and a beta of 0.88. Sun Life Financial has a 12 month low of $56.22 and a 12 month high of $84.38. The company has a 50-day moving average of $78.47 and a 200-day moving average of $70.74.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) last announced its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, May 6th. The financial services provider reported $1.38 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, beating the consensus estimate of $1.35 by $0.03. Sun Life Financial had a net margin of 7.85% and a return on equity of 17.80%. The company had revenue of $6.41 billion during the quarter, compared to analysts’ expectations of $925.99 million. During the same period in the previous year, the company earned $1.82 EPS. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Sun Life Financial will post 5.69 EPS for the current year.

Institutional Trading of Sun Life Financial

Hedge funds have recently made changes to their positions in the stock. Louisbourg Investments Inc. increased its position in Sun Life Financial by 3.0% during the 1st quarter. Louisbourg Investments Inc. now owns 5,105 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $319,000 after purchasing an additional 150 shares during the period. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC raised its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 68.4% during the 4th quarter. Cornerstone Planning Group LLC now owns 411 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $26,000 after buying an additional 167 shares in the last quarter. Candriam S.C.A. lifted its holdings in Sun Life Financial by 1.8% in the first quarter. Candriam S.C.A. now owns 9,794 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $612,000 after acquiring an additional 177 shares during the period. HB Wealth Management LLC lifted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 4.7% in the first quarter. HB Wealth Management LLC now owns 4,158 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $260,000 after purchasing an additional 187 shares during the period. Finally, Sei Investments Co. lifted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 3.5% in the first quarter. Sei Investments Co. now owns 5,788 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $362,000 after purchasing an additional 196 shares during the period. Institutional investors and hedge funds own 52.26% of the company’s stock.

About Sun Life Financial

Sun Life Financial Inc, founded in 1865 and headquartered in Toronto, Ontario, is an international financial services organization that provides a range of insurance, wealth management and asset management solutions. The company serves individual and institutional clients, offering products designed to protect against life and health risks, help clients save for retirement, and manage investments on behalf of customers and third parties.

Core business activities include life and health insurance, group benefits for employers, retirement and pension products, and wealth management services such as mutual funds and segregated fund solutions.