Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF.TO)

This had a negative US experience, which he sees turning around in the 2^nd half. Just missed on the 2^nd quarter. The Asian business is doing well being up 16%. He models them growing earnings at 7% compounded annually over the next couple of years. A little more expensive than Manulife (MFC-T), but coming much closer. Longer-term, this is fine. All things being equal, he would be buying it closer to $45.

(A Top Pick July 8/16. Up 20.25%.) He still likes this and the distribution of their business. A good, long term stock.

It has a period of strength from September to December each year. We are still in a downward trend and it is forming a base. It is too early to consider it from a seasonal perspective. Take another look in the fall.

Insurance is not one of her favourite sectors. Ever since the chatter started with Manulife (MFC-T) and what they might do to offload some of the US assets, this has interested her. If she were to buy an insurance company, it would probably be Manulife today.

Canadian banks are starting to appear in his “okay to buy” list, but lifecos have not shown up yet. His ranking is 122 out of 720, but when looking at earnings and cash flow, both have been negative on a year-over-year basis.

You have to believe rates are going to go up substantially over the next little while. This is not an expensive stock and has a great dividend yield. A much more complicated product than being a house insurance policy. They don’t have a presence in Asia like Manulife (MFC-T).

Prefers Manulife (MFC-T), although the earnings are not terribly different, but Manulife is somewhat cheaper, and also is very well-placed to benefit from the growth in Asia.

A very well-managed company. The market problems lately, particularly on the Canadian side, has held them back. They have a good product. This is a long-term hold. Good product spread. Dividend yield of 3.9%.

He likes both this and Manulife (MLF-T), and if he were buying today, it would probably be Manulife. Manulife is trading at 1.2X book as opposed to Sun Life of 1.4X. We are in a good environment for insurance companies.

A well-run insurance company, with global operations. The last quarter was a little disappointing, with some outflows in their US asset manager. Overall, he likes this and buys it on weakness. Good dividend. Good Asian growth.

He is disappointed in this right now. Most people are pointing to a weakness in the US for the decline in the last couple of months.

Had a tough Go in their last quarter with a lot of redemptions in the US on the mutual fund side. He would prefer Manulife (MFC-T) which has a stronger exposure to Asia. Also, their core business of selling insurance is going very well. He doesn’t own either. Dividend yield of 3.9%.

Canadian Banks versus lifecos? He is a bigger fan of the lifecos. Manulife (MFC-T) and Sun Life (SLF-T) are going to get a big boost from rising interest rates. It is already starting to happen. The yield curve is steepening. Lifecos have been suffering and living with low interest rates for a long time. Both companies are also quite global. They have big presences in the US and in Asia. He sees a better earnings growth over the next few years.

She owns and prefers Manulife (MFC-T), which will have a chance to do some catch-up. Manulife's earnings are finally coming through, and she likes their positioning in Asia. Also, has traded at a discount to Sun Life, but going forward, she feels Manulife will have better earnings.

Compared to the other insurers, their valuation is more reasonable at 7.6X earnings. Recently they’ve provided their medium-term outlook, looking at 8%-10% earnings growth per year. Very stable name. Dividend yield of 3.6%. (Analysts’ price target is $54.)