Korea Investment CORP Raises Holdings in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF)

Korea Investment CORP increased its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF - Free Report) TSE: SLF by 10.8% during the fourth quarter, according to the company in its most recent disclosure with the SEC. The institutional investor owned 426,705 shares of the financial services provider's stock after buying an additional 41,570 shares during the quarter. Korea Investment CORP owned about 0.07% of Sun Life Financial worth $25,323,000 at the end of the most recent reporting period.

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

Analyst Upgrades and Downgrades

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

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Sun Life Financial Stock Up 1.1 %

NYSE:SLF traded up $0.63 during trading hours on Monday, reaching $57.27. 419,621 shares of the stock were exchanged, compared to its average volume of 685,259. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a twelve month low of $46.41 and a twelve month high of $62.85. The business has a 50-day moving average of $56.69 and a two-hundred day moving average of $57.98. The company has a market capitalization of $32.69 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 14.91, a PEG ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.04.

Sun Life Financial (NYSE:SLF - Get Free Report) TSE: SLF last posted 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%. On average, research analysts forecast that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS 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 issued a dividend of $0.5876 per share. The ex-dividend date is Wednesday, February 26th. This represents a $2.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.10%. Sun Life Financial's dividend payout ratio (DPR) 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.