Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Holdings Decreased by Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC

Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC lessened its stake in Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) by 27.5% in the fourth quarter, according to its most recent filing with the Securities & Exchange Commission. The institutional investor owned 281,269 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after selling 106,830 shares during the period. Grantham Mayo Van Otterloo & Co. LLC’s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $16,691,000 at the end of the most recent quarter.

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

Sun Life Financial Stock Down 6.4 %

Shares of Sun Life Financial stock opened at $54.53 on Friday. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 12-month low of $46.41 and a 12-month high of $62.85. The firm has a market capitalization of $31.13 billion, a PE ratio of 14.20, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.04. The stock’s fifty day moving average is $56.56 and its 200-day moving average is $58.01.

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 (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%. Analysts expect that Sun Life Financial Inc. will post 5.19 EPS for the current year.

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Monday, March 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, February 26th were paid a $0.5876 dividend. This represents a $2.35 dividend on an annualized basis and a yield of 4.31%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial’s dividend payout ratio is 60.16%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

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