Barclays PLC Purchases 2,244 Shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF)

Barclays PLC lifted its holdings in shares of Sun Life Financial Inc. (NYSE:SLF) (TSE:SLF) by 61.3% in the third quarter, HoldingsChannel reports. The institutional investor owned 5,907 shares of the financial services provider’s stock after buying an additional 2,244 shares during the period. Barclays PLC’s holdings in Sun Life Financial were worth $343,000 as of its most recent SEC filing.

Other large investors also recently modified their holdings of the company. Assetmark Inc. boosted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 2,747.4% during the 3rd quarter. Assetmark Inc. now owns 541 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $31,000 after buying an additional 522 shares during the last quarter. Addison Advisors LLC boosted its stake in shares of Sun Life Financial by 124.9% during the 3rd quarter. Addison Advisors LLC now owns 650 shares of the financial services provider’s stock worth $38,000 after buying an additional 361 shares during the last quarter. Clean Yield Group acquired a new position in shares of Sun Life Financial during the 3rd quarter worth about $39,000. Fairfield Financial Advisors LTD acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial in the 2nd quarter valued at about $43,000. Finally, Plato Investment Management Ltd acquired a new stake in Sun Life Financial in the 3rd quarter valued at about $101,000. 52.26% of the stock is currently owned by institutional investors and hedge funds.

Sun Life Financial Stock Performance

Shares of NYSE:SLF opened at $59.18 on Friday. Sun Life Financial Inc. has a 52-week low of $46.41 and a 52-week high of $62.85. The company has a market capitalization of $34.05 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.18, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.55 and a beta of 1.03. The company has a 50-day simple moving average of $59.73 and a 200 day simple moving average of $55.29.

Sun Life Financial Increases Dividend

The company also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Investors of record on Wednesday, November 27th were paid a $0.621 dividend. This is an increase from Sun Life Financial’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.59. This represents a $2.48 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.20%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, November 27th. Sun Life Financial’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is 55.23%.

Wall Street Analysts Forecast Growth

Separately, StockNews.com downgraded shares of Sun Life Financial from a “buy” rating to a “hold” rating in a research note on Tuesday, November 19th.

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.