Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) Short Interest Update

Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) was the recipient of a significant growth in short interest in the month of February. As of February 15th, there was short interest totalling 12,100,000 shares, a growth of 395.9% from the January 31st total of 2,440,000 shares. Based on an average trading volume of 765,100 shares, the days-to-cover ratio is presently 15.8 days. Approximately 2.1% of the shares of the company are short sold.

Institutional Trading of Sun Life Financial

Several large investors have recently bought and sold shares of the business. Polar Asset Management Partners Inc. purchased a new position in Sun Life Financial in the 4th quarter worth approximately $1,648,000. Vise Technologies Inc. lifted its position in Sun Life Financial by 106.0% during the fourth quarter. Vise Technologies Inc. now owns 8,778 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $521,000 after buying an additional 4,516 shares in the last quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp boosted its stake in Sun Life Financial by 19.8% during the fourth quarter. BRITISH COLUMBIA INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT Corp now owns 1,898,866 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $112,602,000 after buying an additional 313,176 shares during the last quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC grew its holdings in Sun Life Financial by 9.8% in the 4th quarter. UBS AM a distinct business unit of UBS ASSET MANAGEMENT AMERICAS LLC now owns 1,235,884 shares of the financial services provider’s stock valued at $73,337,000 after buying an additional 110,780 shares in the last quarter. Finally, Tidal Investments LLC increased its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 4.5% in the 4th quarter. Tidal Investments LLC now owns 5,147 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $305,000 after acquiring an additional 222 shares during the last quarter. Hedge funds and other institutional investors own 52.26% of the company’s stock.

Sun Life Financial Stock Up 0.9 %

Shares of NYSE:SLF traded up $0.48 during trading on Friday, reaching $55.19. 185,814 shares of the company’s stock traded hands, compared to its average volume of 797,020. The firm has a market cap of $31.61 billion, a PE ratio of 14.38, a P/E/G ratio of 1.52 and a beta of 1.03. Sun Life Financial has a fifty-two week low of $46.41 and a fifty-two week high of $62.85. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $57.89 and a 200-day simple moving average of $57.56.

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

Sun Life Financial Cuts Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Monday, March 31st. Stockholders of record on Wednesday, February 26th will be paid a $0.5876 dividend. This represents a $2.35 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 4.26%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Wednesday, February 26th. Sun Life Financial’s dividend payout ratio is currently 60.16%.

Analyst Ratings Changes

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

About Sun Life Financial

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.