Sun Life Financial (SLF)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $58.15 | Market Cap: $32.6 BilSector: Financials | Industry: Multi-line Insurance
Sun Life Financial (SLF)
Market Price (12/4/2025): $58.15Market Cap: $32.6 BilSector: FinancialsIndustry: Multi-line Insurance
Investment Highlights
Why It Matters
Which of these 2 stories sounds closer for this stock?
1. Generates cash flow
The stock generated 4% or more of the share price (called cash flow yield), and shows moderate 10-15% or more growth.
2. Riding a trend
Think Tesla during the pandemic of 2020 when EVs were riding a cultural high, or Nvidia in the current AI boom, or even Figma. These companies don’t have enough yield, or, enough growth, or both - however - they are riding a trend. They have momentum. These can be more volatile - they don’t have the floor of strong cash flow
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 9.2%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 5.0%, FCF Yield is 6.1% | Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -25%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -29% | Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -21%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -19% |
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -57% | ||
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO LTM is 2.2 Bil, FCF LTM is 2.1 Bil | ||
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 21% | ||
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Fintech & Digital Payments, AI in Financial Services, and Sustainable Finance. Themes include Wealth Management Technology, Show more. |
| Attractive yieldTotal YieldTotal Yield = Earnings Yield + Dividend Yield, Earnings Yield = Net Income / Market Cap Dividend Yield = Total Dividends / Market Cap is 9.2%, ERPEquity Risk Premium (ERP) = Total Yield - Risk Free Rate, Reflects the premium above risk free assets offered by the investment. is 5.0%, FCF Yield is 6.1% |
| Cash is significant % of market capNet D/ENet Debt/Equity. Debt net of cash. Negative indicates net cash. Equity is taken as the Market Capitalization is -57% |
| Attractive cash flow generationCFO LTM is 2.2 Bil, FCF LTM is 2.1 Bil |
| Low stock price volatilityVol 12M is 21% |
| Megatrend and thematic driversMegatrends include Fintech & Digital Payments, AI in Financial Services, and Sustainable Finance. Themes include Wealth Management Technology, Show more. |
| Weak multi-year price returns2Y Excs Rtn is -25%, 3Y Excs Rtn is -29% |
| Weak revenue growthRev Chg LTMRevenue Change % Last Twelve Months (LTM) is -21%, Rev Chg QQuarterly Revenue Change % is -19% |
Valuation, Metrics & Events
SLF Stock
Why The Stock Moved
Qualitative Assessment
AI Generated Analysis | Feedback
1. Sun Life Financial's Q3 2025 earnings presented a mixed financial picture, contributing to a near-flat stock movement. While underlying net income increased by 3% and assets under management (AUM) grew by 7% from the prior year, reported net income saw an 18% decrease, impacted by unfavorable market conditions. Despite beating EPS forecasts, the stock experienced an initial decline of 3.65% in premarket trading on November 6, 2025, influenced by broader market trends and specific company challenges.
2. Challenges in the U.S. Group - Health & Protection segment acted as a drag on overall performance. The Group - Health & Protection segment experienced an 18% decline in underlying net income, primarily due to unfavorable insurance experiences in the U.S. and industry-wide headwinds in the dental business. This negative performance in a key market counteracted positive movements elsewhere.
Stock Movement Drivers
Return vs. Risk
Price Returns Compared
| 2020 | 2021 | 2022 | 2023 | 2024 | 2025 | Total [1] | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Returns | |||||||
| SLF Return | 2% | 30% | -13% | 17% | 19% | 1% | 62% |
| Peers Return | -6% | 2% | 4% | 8% | 18% | 6% | 34% |
| S&P 500 Return | 16% | 27% | -19% | 24% | 23% | 16% | 112% |
Monthly Win Rates [3] | |||||||
| SLF Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 58% | 50% | 60% | |
| Peers Win Rate | 35% | 37% | 38% | 40% | 40% | 55% | |
| S&P 500 Win Rate | 58% | 75% | 42% | 67% | 75% | 70% | |
Max Drawdowns [4] | |||||||
| SLF Max Drawdown | -46% | -1% | -28% | -4% | -7% | -9% | |
| Peers Max Drawdown | -31% | -14% | -14% | -12% | -3% | -14% | |
| S&P 500 Max Drawdown | -31% | -1% | -25% | -1% | -2% | -15% | |
[1] Cumulative total returns since the beginning of 2020
[2] Peers: L, GNW, KMPR, HMN, XZO.
[3] Win Rate = % of calendar months in which monthly returns were positive
[4] Max drawdown represents maximum peak-to-trough decline within a year
[5] 2025 data is for the year up to 12/3/2025 (YTD)
How Low Can It Go
| Event | SLF | S&P 500 |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 Inflation Shock | ||
| % Loss | -33.0% | -25.4% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 49.2% | 34.1% |
| Time to Breakeven | 723 days | 464 days |
| 2020 Covid Pandemic | ||
| % Loss | -51.3% | -33.9% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 105.3% | 51.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 336 days | 148 days |
| 2018 Correction | ||
| % Loss | -27.7% | -19.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 38.3% | 24.7% |
| Time to Breakeven | 267 days | 120 days |
| 2008 Global Financial Crisis | ||
| % Loss | -80.1% | -56.8% |
| % Gain to Breakeven | 402.2% | 131.3% |
| Time to Breakeven | 4720 days | 1480 days |
Compare to L, GNW, KMPR, HMN, XZO
In The Past
Sun Life Financial's stock fell -33.0% during the 2022 Inflation Shock from a high on 2/9/2022. A -33.0% loss requires a 49.2% gain to breakeven.
Preserve Wealth
Limiting losses and compounding gains is essential to preserving wealth over time.
Asset Allocation
Actively managed asset allocation strategies protect wealth. Learn more.
Trade Ideas
Select past ideas related to SLF. For more, see Trefis Trade Ideas.
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | WU | Western Union | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.4% | 3.4% | -0.4% |
| 11212025 | COIN | Coinbase Global | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 9.5% | 9.5% | 0.0% |
| 11142025 | PYPL | PayPal | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.1% | 0.1% | -7.5% |
| 11142025 | V | Visa | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -0.1% | -0.1% | -2.7% |
| 11072025 | WD | Walker & Dunlop | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -7.7% | -7.7% | -11.0% |
| Date | Ticker | Company | Category | Trade Strategy | 6M Fwd Rtn | 12M Fwd Rtn | 12M Max DD |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 11212025 | WU | Western Union | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 3.4% | 3.4% | -0.4% |
| 11212025 | COIN | Coinbase Global | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | 9.5% | 9.5% | 0.0% |
| 11142025 | PYPL | PayPal | Dip Buy | DB | FCFY OPMDip Buy with High FCF Yield and High MarginBuying dips for companies with high FCF yield and meaningfully high operating margin | 0.1% | 0.1% | -7.5% |
| 11142025 | V | Visa | Monopoly | MY | Getting CheaperMonopoly-Like with P/S DeclineLarge cap with monopoly-like margins or cash flow generation and getting cheaper based on P/S multiple | -0.1% | -0.1% | -2.7% |
| 11072025 | WD | Walker & Dunlop | Dip Buy | DB | P/E OPMDip Buy with Low PE and High MarginBuying dips for companies with tame PE and meaningfully high operating margin | -7.7% | -7.7% | -11.0% |
Research & Analysis
Invest in Strategies
Wealth Management
Peer Comparisons for Sun Life Financial
| Peers to compare with: |
Financials
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Price | 41.94 |
| Mkt Cap | 3.6 |
| Rev LTM | 7,071 |
| Op Inc LTM | - |
| FCF LTM | 617 |
| FCF 3Y Avg | 479 |
| CFO LTM | 617 |
| CFO 3Y Avg | 479 |
Growth & Margins
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Rev Chg LTM | 4.0% |
| Rev Chg 3Y Avg | 7.1% |
| Rev Chg Q | 4.6% |
| QoQ Delta Rev Chg LTM | 1.1% |
| Op Mgn LTM | - |
| Op Mgn 3Y Avg | - |
| QoQ Delta Op Mgn LTM | - |
| CFO/Rev LTM | 12.1% |
| CFO/Rev 3Y Avg | 9.5% |
| FCF/Rev LTM | 11.4% |
| FCF/Rev 3Y Avg | 9.1% |
Valuation
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| Mkt Cap | 3.6 |
| P/S | 0.9 |
| P/EBIT | 7.8 |
| P/E | 12.7 |
| P/CFO | 5.8 |
| Total Yield | 9.2% |
| Dividend Yield | 0.1% |
| FCF Yield 3Y Avg | 16.3% |
| D/E | 0.5 |
| Net D/E | 0.1 |
Returns
| Median | |
|---|---|
| Name | |
| 1M Rtn | 0.9% |
| 3M Rtn | 0.7% |
| 6M Rtn | 5.5% |
| 12M Rtn | 12.3% |
| 3Y Rtn | 39.7% |
| 1M Excs Rtn | 0.9% |
| 3M Excs Rtn | -5.1% |
| 6M Excs Rtn | -9.2% |
| 12M Excs Rtn | -3.4% |
| 3Y Excs Rtn | -29.3% |
Segment Financials
Revenue by Segment
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| United States (U.S.) | 11,721 | 9,004 | 5,998 | 8,138 | 8,064 |
| Canada | 8,165 | 8,111 | 18,858 | 21,632 | 20,389 |
| Asia | 1,385 | 1,323 | 5,096 | 7,872 | 5,804 |
| Corporate | 85 | 464 | 258 | 980 | 1,132 |
| Asset Management | 0 | 0 | 5,855 | 5,037 | 4,554 |
| Consolidation adjustments | 0 | 0 | -377 | -322 | -264 |
| Total | 21,356 | 18,902 | 35,688 | 43,337 | 39,679 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 1,252 | 1,241 | 1,558 | 717 | 883 |
| Asset Management | 1,067 | 1,148 | 892 | 980 | 897 |
| United States (U.S.) | 576 | 532 | 499 | 257 | 163 |
| Asia | 511 | 210 | 1,075 | 594 | 594 |
| Consolidation adjustments | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
| Corporate | -241 | -190 | 11 | -50 | 188 |
| Total | 3,165 | 2,941 | 4,035 | 2,498 | 2,725 |
| $ Mil | 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Canada | 235,801 | 216,465 | 110,499 | 106,318 | 94,909 |
| Asia | 44,480 | 42,909 | 37,661 | 36,414 | 31,285 |
| United States (U.S.) | 35,234 | 31,138 | 33,391 | 33,790 | 34,711 |
| Asset Management | 9,979 | 11,576 | 10,024 | 6,957 | 5,666 |
| Corporate | 8,804 | 21,837 | 14,187 | 13,897 | 13,930 |
| Consolidation adjustments | -1,057 | -317 | -388 | -286 | -272 |
| Investments for account of segregated fund holders | 139,996 | 125,921 | 116,973 | ||
| Total | 333,241 | 323,608 | 345,370 | 323,011 | 297,202 |
SEC Filings
Expand for More| Report Date | Filing Date | Filing |
|---|---|---|
| 9302025 | 11062025 | 6-K 9/30/2025 |
| 6302025 | 8082025 | 6-K 6/30/2025 |
| 3312025 | 5092025 | 6-K 3/31/2025 |
| 12312024 | 2132025 | 40-F 12/31/2024 |
| 9302024 | 11052024 | 6-K 9/30/2024 |
| 6302024 | 8132024 | 6-K 6/30/2024 |
| 3312024 | 5102024 | 6-K 3/31/2024 |
| 12312023 | 2082024 | 40-F 12/31/2023 |
| 9302023 | 11142023 | 6-K 9/30/2023 |
| 6302023 | 8092023 | 6-K 6/30/2023 |
| 3312023 | 5122023 | 6-K 3/31/2023 |
| 12312022 | 2092023 | 40-F 12/31/2022 |
| 9302022 | 11032022 | 6-K 9/30/2022 |
| 6302022 | 8042022 | 6-K 6/30/2022 |
| 3312022 | 5122022 | 6-K 3/31/2022 |
| 12312021 | 2102022 | 40-F 12/31/2021 |
Industry Resources
| Financials Resources |
| Federal Reserve Economic Data |
| Federal Reserve |
| FDIC Data |
| American Banker |
| The Banker |
| Banking Technology |
| Multi-line Insurance Resources |
| Insurance Business America |
| A.M. Best |
| National Underwriter |
| Insurance News |
External Quote Links
| Y Finance | Barrons |
| TradingView | Morningstar |
| SeekingAlpha | ValueLine |
| Motley Fool | Robinhood |
| CNBC | Etrade |
| MarketWatch | Unusual Whales |
| YCharts | Perplexity Finance |
| FinViz |