TSE:SLF

Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF.TO)

102.80
+1.38 (1.36%)
as of Jun 5, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
720 watching
0
Investor Insights
star iconJun 5, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 12 opinions in the last 12 months.

Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF) is presently facing a challenging landscape, with mixed reviews from experts highlighting both the strengths and weaknesses of the company. Some analysts praise its strong management and growth potential in Asia, particularly in asset management, whereas others express concerns regarding its performance in the U.S. dental market and overall growth, particularly as compared to peers like Manulife Financial Corporation (MFC). Despite trading at a lower P/E ratio compared to Canadian banks, some experts argue that the stock's current valuation isn't compelling given the subdued growth prospects. However, SLF is recognized for its consistent dividend growth and stable earnings, and the recent share repurchases are seen as a positive move. Analysts are divided, with some asserting a long-term bullish outlook while others remain cautious pending macroeconomic or company-specific catalysts.

consensus icon
Consensus
Hold
valuation icon
Valuation
Fair Value
review icon
Similar
MFC
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 15/18, Down 5%) They are expanding insurance operations in Asia. They have excess capital of $2.3 billion. They could do an acquisition or buy back shares. Extremely well run so he continues to like it and hold it.
COMMENT
Had been best performing Canadian lifeco. But it's fallen out of bed, nothing is sacred in this market. Support around $40, and it's close now. Will probably bounce back, but needs to firmly break past trend line before he can call it an uptrend again.
BUY
A trend around $56 earlier this year. The other level is the current $45 range. The market is stepping in now for all lifecos. SLF just had a sudden move bouncing up from $43 as buyers come in. The $45 level is solid.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 06/17, Down 11%) It's declined with the market. Interest rates went up then down which hurt them.
COMMENT
The lifecos are attractive after this correction. Solid businesses. SLF has a big U.S. asset management operation. But she prefers (and owns) MFC which has a better valuation. In the past. SLF's earnings have outgrown MFC's, but MFC's should outpace SLF's going forward. MFC trades at a discount to SLF.
BUY
SLF-T vs. MET-N. He prefers Sunlife (SLF-T). It is higher quality and more defensive. Also they are down with the sector. There is more competition in the US vs. Canada.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 25/17, Down 6%) Still likes it. (Though, he prefers Manulife now with a lower multiple.) SLF is a good buy today than when he picked it. Lifecos will do well as interest rates rise.
BUY
Largest foreign insurer in India. Great global assets, conservatively managed. Earnings growing at 12-14% for next couple of years. Premier, best run Canadian insurer. Great dividend yield and growing. Compelling investment.
WEAK BUY
Reasonable dividend, though not as good as the banks. If you want a financial outside of the banks, this would be his choice in the space. Yield is just over 4%.
HOLD
They are still guiding for 8-10% earnings growth. They are stable. They should be able to grow the dividend 4-5% a year. It is off along with the market. This and MFC-T are global companies now. MFC-T looks cheaper so he would buy that over SLF-T, which is trading at a 10% premium to its market multiple. Don't sell it.
COMMENT
Q3 beat--earnings were way up. Double-digit growth in the US. Asia operations were a lower weak. 4% EPS growth only. Pricey vs. peers. Manulife has a better growth rate, and he prefers MFC. The lawsuit they face--MFC will be okay.
PARTIAL BUY
It has followed the trends of the financial sector to some degree. It looks solid where it is right now. It is making money. It is probably better value than it was in the summer. Take a small position, or the XFN-T ETF to diversify, preferably. If it drops below $47 there is not much support below that. There is resistance at $51.
COMMENT

It is a pretty safe company with a reasonable dividend. He would not buy it until there is a blow off. Insider selling has been very heavy. It is a leader in the Canadian field. If you want to put it away, it is a good one for that purpose.

COMMENT

Unsure why it's dropped a lot lately, but he likes the fundamentals of the insurers. Interest rates are rising and people are living longer, so the lifecos can collect premiums for longer. There is rotation between lifecos and banks, and that
could be happening now. Thinks SLF is the best Canadian insurance stock and believes in the insurance industry long-term.

BUY ON WEAKNESS

He recently evaluated this space. As interest rates increase their long term liabilities should become more profitable. They are cleaning up their operational issues. He hopes there will be a market pullback, so they might be able to step back in. He actually prefers Manulife (MFC-T), but is watching both. He would love to buy both of these if the stock prices drop by $5.

Showing 136 to 150 of 1,049 entries