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Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSE:SLF)
TSX:SLF

Sun Life Financial (SLF) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:SLF

Sun Life Financial

(TSX:SLF)

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Neutral 68 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:68Neutral
Price Target:
C$88.00
â–²(7.02% Upside)
Sun Life Financial's overall score reflects a stable financial foundation with strong profitability and a solid balance sheet. The company's valuation is attractive, and recent corporate events support strategic growth. However, technical indicators show bearish trends, and challenges in the U.S. segment pose risks. The earnings call provides confidence in addressing these issues, but caution is advised due to the current market momentum.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective business strategies, enhancing long-term financial stability.
Asset Management Growth
The substantial growth in asset management underscores Sun Life's ability to attract and manage large-scale investments, boosting profitability.
Strong Capital Position
A robust capital position with a high LICAT ratio ensures financial resilience and supports future growth initiatives.
Negative Factors
Declining Cash Flows
Decreasing cash flows may limit Sun Life's ability to invest in growth opportunities and meet financial obligations, affecting long-term operations.
Challenges in U.S. Segment
Structural challenges in the U.S. healthcare market could lead to sustained pressure on margins and profitability in this key segment.
Rising Debt Levels
An increase in debt levels can strain financial flexibility, potentially impacting Sun Life's ability to fund future growth initiatives.

Sun Life Financial (SLF) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Sun Life Financial Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionSun Life Financial Inc. (SLF) is a leading international financial services organization headquartered in Toronto, Canada. The company operates through several segments, including Life Insurance, Health Insurance, Wealth Management, and Asset Management. Sun Life offers a range of products and services, such as life and health insurance, annuities, mutual funds, and retirement solutions, catering to individual and institutional clients across various markets, including Canada, the United States, and Asia.
How the Company Makes MoneySun Life Financial generates revenue through multiple streams, primarily from premiums collected on its insurance policies, fees from asset management, and investment income. The company charges premiums for life, health, and other insurance products, which contribute to its core revenue. Additionally, Sun Life earns fees from managing assets in its wealth management division, which includes mutual funds, retirement savings plans, and institutional investment products. Investment income is derived from the company's portfolio of bonds, stocks, real estate, and alternative investments. Significant partnerships with financial advisors, brokers, and institutions enhance its distribution capabilities and contribute to its earnings. Furthermore, strategic acquisitions and expansions into new markets serve to bolster its revenue potential and diversify its income sources.

Sun Life Financial Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 05, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 11, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflected strong financial performance and growth in key markets such as Asia and Canada, alongside robust results in Asset Management. However, the U.S. business faced significant challenges, particularly in the medical stop-loss and dental segments, due to structural changes and higher claims frequency. The call shows confidence in addressing these issues, but the immediate outlook remains cautious.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Overall Financial Performance
Underlying EPS was $1.86, up 6% year-over-year. Underlying ROE was 18.3% with a book value per share growth of 3% quarter-over-quarter.
Significant Growth in Sales
Individual Protection sales grew 35%, and Group Health & Protection sales grew 12%. Asia saw double-digit growth in protection sales across six markets.
Asset Management Achievements
Sun Life Asset Management has $1.6 trillion in assets under management, with $1.4 trillion managed by asset management businesses.
Strong Capital Position
LICAT ratio ended the quarter at 154%, and a $0.04 increase in dividend to $0.92 per share was announced.
Growth in Asia and Canada
Asia achieved a 32% increase in underlying net income, and Canada saw a 13% increase in reported net income year-over-year.
Asset Management Fee Income Growth
MFS had strong institutional gross sales of USD 12.9 billion, with a pretax operating margin of 39.2%.
Negative Updates
Challenges in U.S. Business
U.S. business performance was below expectations, with unfavorable insurance experience in Group and Dental due to structural changes in the U.S. healthcare system.
Medical Stop-Loss and Dental Headwinds
Higher claims frequency in Medical Stop-Loss and Dental, with a need to adjust loss ratio assumptions due to claims over $1 million.
Pricing and Utilization Challenges
Slower progress in repricing dental contracts and increasing utilization rates in Medicaid are impacting performance.
Company Guidance
During the Sun Life Financial Q3 2025 Conference Call, the company provided several key metrics and insights into its performance and future guidance. Sun Life reported an underlying EPS of $1.86 for the quarter, reflecting a 6% increase year-over-year, and an underlying ROE of 18.3%, moving towards their medium-term objectives. Individual Protection sales surged by 35%, while Group Health & Protection sales rose by 12%. Asset Management and Wealth saw positive net flows of nearly $3 billion. Despite robust performance in Asia and Canada, the U.S. segment faced challenges due to structural changes in the healthcare system, impacting claims frequency and costs. Sun Life's asset management business, with $1.6 trillion in assets under management, remains a significant growth driver, particularly in Asia and Canada. The company maintains a strong capital position, with a LICAT ratio of 154%, and increased its dividend by $0.04 to $0.92 per share, alongside repurchasing approximately $400 million worth of shares in the quarter. Management reiterated their commitment to a medium-term objective of 10% underlying earnings growth and a 20% ROE, despite the ongoing challenges in the U.S. business.

Sun Life Financial Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Sun Life Financial demonstrates strong revenue growth and stable net income, but faces challenges with declining cash flows and an increasing debt-to-equity ratio. The balance sheet remains robust, supporting financial health, yet cash flow management needs improvement.
Income Statement
70
Positive
Sun Life Financial has demonstrated consistent revenue growth over the years, with a significant increase from $30.85 billion in 2023 to $36.80 billion in 2024. The net profit margin is stable, with net income remaining robust at approximately $3.17 billion. However, the absence of EBIT and EBITDA figures for 2024 limits the analysis of profitability efficiency.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The company's balance sheet reflects a solid equity position with a debt-to-equity ratio that remains manageable, although it increased slightly to 0.58 in 2024. Equity ratio stands at 7.03%, indicating a relatively low proportion of equity financing compared to total assets. Despite this, Sun Life Financial maintains a strong asset base, which supports its financial stability.
Cash Flow
60
Neutral
The cash flow analysis shows a decline in operating cash flow from $5.61 billion in 2023 to $2.53 billion in 2024. The free cash flow decreased similarly, reflecting potential challenges in cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio decreased, indicating less cash being generated from operations relative to net income.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue36.21B34.48B36.35B3.43B35.69B43.34B
Gross Profit4.95B4.84B4.31B4.07B14.71B12.35B
EBITDA4.84B5.00B4.48B4.60B5.86B4.05B
Net Income3.09B3.17B3.34B3.02B4.37B2.78B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets394.93B370.72B333.24B330.91B345.37B323.01B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments26.48B27.72B27.49B11.22B12.28B13.53B
Total Debt7.38B15.02B13.28B13.39B10.21B6.89B
Total Liabilities368.94B344.59B309.04B301.53B317.30B297.15B
Stockholders Equity25.70B26.05B23.58B27.45B26.31B24.47B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow2.07B2.39B5.44B8.00B-1.94B7.09B
Operating Cash Flow2.21B2.53B5.61B4.31B-1.86B7.25B
Investing Cash Flow-357.00M-337.00M-559.00M-2.86B-803.00M-886.00M
Financing Cash Flow-3.54B-3.88B-3.09B-71.00M-260.00M-2.31B

Sun Life Financial Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price82.23
Price Trends
50DMA
83.26
Negative
100DMA
81.95
Positive
200DMA
81.80
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
-0.42
Negative
RSI
51.09
Neutral
STOCH
61.61
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:SLF, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 82.23 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 81.81, below the 50-day MA of 83.26, and above the 200-day MA of 81.80, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.42 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 51.09 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 61.61 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:SLF.

Sun Life Financial Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
79
Outperform
$82.53B15.5911.23%3.59%5.46%10.52%
76
Outperform
C$54.79B14.8615.09%3.69%-20.64%14.88%
76
Outperform
C$44.69B14.6413.24%3.29%-9.03%44.14%
73
Outperform
C$47.29B20.3216.27%1.85%2.51%44.44%
71
Outperform
C$15.47B15.5114.34%2.18%-25.13%16.40%
68
Neutral
$45.65B15.5311.96%4.28%-19.88%-13.92%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:SLF
Sun Life Financial
82.23
-0.18
-0.22%
TSE:MFC
Manulife Financial
49.08
6.94
16.47%
TSE:GWO
Great-West Lifeco
66.07
21.52
48.31%
TSE:IAG
iA Financial Corporation Inc
173.52
42.32
32.26%
TSE:IFC
Intact Financial Corporation
281.29
23.00
8.90%
TSE:POW
Power Corp of Canada
72.89
28.54
64.35%

Sun Life Financial Corporate Events

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Sun Life Financial to Issue $1 Billion in Subordinated Debentures
Positive
Dec 2, 2025

Sun Life Financial Inc. has announced its intention to issue $1 billion in Series 2025-2 Subordinated Unsecured Debentures in Canada, with the offering expected to close on December 3, 2025. The proceeds from this issuance will be used for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions, investments in subsidiaries, and debt repayment, which may enhance the company’s strategic positioning and financial flexibility. The debentures are expected to qualify for Tier 2 capital, indicating a strengthening of the company’s capital base.

Dividends
Sun Life Financial Boosts Dividend Payout for Q4 2025
Positive
Nov 5, 2025

Sun Life Financial Inc. has announced an increase in its common share dividend to $0.92 per share, a 4 cent rise from the previous quarter, payable on December 31, 2025. This decision reflects the company’s robust financial health and commitment to providing value to its shareholders, potentially enhancing its market position and stakeholder confidence.

DividendsBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Sun Life Financial Reports Strong Q3 2025 Results with Increased Dividend
Positive
Nov 5, 2025

Sun Life Financial Inc. reported a 3% increase in underlying net income to $1,047 million for Q3 2025, driven by strong performance in Canada and Asia, while the U.S. segment faced challenges. The company also announced a 4.5% increase in its dividend, reflecting a robust capital position with a LICAT ratio of 154%. The extension of its asset management pillar under new leadership aims to accelerate growth and enhance strategic partnerships.

Executive/Board ChangesBusiness Operations and Strategy
Sun Life Appoints Tom Murphy as President of Asset Management, Unifying Global Operations
Positive
Oct 6, 2025

Sun Life has appointed Tom Murphy as President of Sun Life Asset Management, consolidating its global asset management businesses under one pillar to enhance synergies with its insurance operations. This restructuring aims to accelerate growth and unlock new opportunities by leveraging Sun Life’s extensive range of asset classes and proprietary wealth channels, while maintaining the existing brand identities and governance of its asset management companies.

Private Placements and FinancingBusiness Operations and Strategy
Sun Life Financial to Issue $1 Billion in Debentures for Strategic Growth
Positive
Sep 10, 2025

Sun Life Financial Inc. announced its intention to issue $1 billion in Series 2025-1 Subordinated Unsecured 4.14% Fixed/Floating Debentures due 2037 in Canada. The proceeds from this offering will be used for general corporate purposes, including potential acquisitions and strategic investments, and are expected to qualify for Tier 2 capital. This move is part of Sun Life’s strategy to strengthen its financial position and support its growth initiatives, potentially impacting its market positioning and stakeholder interests.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Dec 07, 2025