Sun Life Financial Dividends and Buybacks
Dividend criteria checks 5/6
Sun Life Financial is a dividend paying company with a current yield of 3.35% that is well covered by earnings. Next payment date is on 30th June, 2026 with an ex-dividend date of 27th May, 2026.
Key information
3.3%
Dividend yield
1.9%
Buyback Yield
| Total Shareholder Yield | 5.2% |
| Future Dividend Yield | 3.9% |
| Dividend Growth | 8.6% |
| Next dividend pay date | 30 Jun 26 |
| Ex dividend date | 27 May 26 |
| Dividend per share | n/a |
| Payout ratio | 67% |
Recent dividend and buyback updates
Recent updates
Narrative Update • Jun 05
SLF: U.S. Turnaround And Buybacks Will Shape A Measured 2026 Outlook
Analysts have made a slight downward adjustment to the Sun Life Financial fair value estimate to CA$99.29, reflecting updated price targets that generally trend higher. This shift is supported by recent research citing improving expectations for the business and a modestly higher future P/E assumption.Narrative Update • May 12
SLF: U.S. Turnaround And Buybacks Will Drive Balanced 2026 Outcome
Analysts have nudged the Sun Life Financial fair value estimate higher to CA$99.43 from CA$96.57, reflecting recent CA$3 to CA$7 price target increases across several firms and updated views on revenue growth, margins, and future P/E assumptions. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sun Life Financial has been active, with several firms adjusting price targets in both directions and updating views on execution and valuation.Narrative Update • Apr 28
SLF: U.S. Turnaround And Capital Returns Will Shape Balanced 2026 Outcome
The analyst price target for Sun Life Financial has been nudged higher to CA$96.57 from CA$95.93 as analysts factor in a series of target increases and upgrades tied to improving views on the U.S. business and recent research updates from several major brokerages. Analyst Commentary Recent research on Sun Life Financial has been active, with several firms adjusting price targets and views on the shares.Narrative Update • Apr 09
SLF: Capital Strength And Buybacks Will Support Balanced Execution Risk In 2026
Sun Life Financial's fair value estimate edges up to CA$95.93 from CA$95.79, mirroring a series of recent analyst price target increases across the Street that now cluster in the mid to high CA$90s and low CA$100s range. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research points to a generally constructive stance on Sun Life Financial, with several firms adjusting their price targets into the mid to high CA$90s and low CA$100s range.Narrative Update • Mar 26
SLF: Capital Strength And Buybacks Will Balance 2026 Sector Headwinds
Analysts have lifted Sun Life Financial's average price target into a CA$95 to CA$102 range, reflecting a series of upward revisions supported by recent research highlighting capital strength, cash flow and sector consolidation, along with one more cautious outlook. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sun Life Financial points to a cluster of higher price targets, with one more cautious view anchoring the lower end of the range.Narrative Update • Mar 09
SLF: Capital Strength And Buybacks Will Support 2026 Execution Risks
Analysts have inched their fair value estimate for Sun Life Financial higher to CA$95.79 from CA$95.57. This reflects a series of mostly higher price targets across the Street as they factor in updated growth, profitability and P/E assumptions.Narrative Update • Feb 23
SLF: Capital Strength And Buybacks Will Balance 2026 Margin Headwinds
Analysts have lifted our Sun Life Financial fair value estimate to CA$95.57 from CA$92.79, reflecting a series of upward price target revisions across the Street that are supported by updated assumptions on the discount rate, revenue growth, profit margin, and future P/E. Analyst Commentary Recent research updates show a cluster of higher price targets for Sun Life Financial around the mid to high C$90s, with a few outliers on both the bullish and cautious sides.Narrative Update • Feb 08
SLF: Capital Strength And Dry Powder Will Balance 2026 Margin Headwinds
Narrative Update The analyst price target for Sun Life Financial has edged higher to roughly C$92.79 from about C$92.43, as analysts adjust their fair value assumptions and P/E expectations following recent mixed target moves from Scotiabank, CIBC, and Barclays. These moves reflect differing views on capital strength, cash flow, and sector headwinds.Narrative Update • Jan 24
SLF: Dividends And Buybacks Will Offset 2026 Margin And Tech Headwinds
Analysts have inched their average price target for Sun Life Financial higher to about C$92.43 from C$91.50, reflecting a mix of cautious optimism on life insurers heading into 2026 and updated assumptions for fair value and future P/E multiples. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sun Life Financial shows a mixed tone, with some firms edging price targets higher and others trimming them, while ratings cluster around Neutral and Sector Perform.Narrative Update • Jan 09
SLF: Dividends And Buybacks Will Steady Shares As Capital Pressures Persist
Narrative Update: Sun Life Financial The analyst price target for Sun Life Financial has edged up to about C$91.50 from roughly C$91.07, reflecting a mix of higher and lower Street targets as analysts weigh capital strength, cash flow and consolidation benefits, along with headwinds such as spread compression and rising technology investment. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sun Life Financial shows a fairly balanced view, with some analysts modestly lifting their expectations while others trim targets or ratings as they reassess risk and reward going into 2026.Narrative Update • Dec 21
SLF: Dividend Strength And Buybacks Will Support Shares Amid Mixed Rate Outlook
Sun Life Financial's analyst price target has edged slightly higher to about $91.07 from $90.93, as analysts factor in modestly stronger long term fundamentals supported by resilient equity market tailwinds and sector wide reassessments, despite recent marginal target trims and rating normalization. Analyst Commentary Bullish analysts point to resilient sector fundamentals and supportive equity market conditions as key pillars underpinning Sun Life Financial's valuation, even as individual price targets shift only modestly.Narrative Update • Dec 07
SLF: Dividend Strength Will Support Shares Amid Modest Rate Cut Headwinds
Analysts have trimmed their average target on Sun Life Financial by roughly C$1 to reflect a more balanced risk reward outlook, citing modest sector tailwinds from higher equity markets, offset by headwinds from anticipated Fed cuts and company specific execution risks. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research reflects a more nuanced stance on Sun Life Financial, with price target revisions clustering in a narrow range and ratings centering around market perform equivalents.Narrative Update • Nov 23
SLF: Dividend Momentum And Sector Uncertainties Will Influence Shares In 2025
Analysts have slightly lowered their price targets for Sun Life Financial, reducing the consensus fair value by approximately C$0.07 to C$90.93. They cite more moderate revenue growth expectations and sector headwinds, despite ongoing solid profitability and shareholder returns.Narrative Update • Nov 05
SLF: Modest Share Buybacks And Sector Sentiment Shifts Will Shape 2025 Outlook
Analysts have modestly increased their fair value estimate for Sun Life Financial to $91.00. They highlight the company's ongoing profitability and resilience despite mixed sector sentiment and recent target price adjustments.Narrative Update • Oct 22
Analysts Cite Mixed Outlook for Sun Life Financial as Valuation and Profit Margins Improve
Analysts have modestly increased their fair value price target for Sun Life Financial to $90.14, up from $88.23. They cite ongoing sector tailwinds from higher equity markets as well as the company’s resilient profitability metrics.Narrative Update • Oct 08
Asian Markets And Digital Investments Will Drive Long Term Value
Sun Life Financial's analyst fair value estimate rose slightly to $88.23 from $87.17, as analysts cite support from resilient sector earnings and equity market strength despite some ongoing headwinds. Analyst Commentary Recent Street research on Sun Life Financial presents a mix of optimism regarding core fundamentals and caution toward market-specific risks.Narrative Update • Sep 04
Asian Markets And Digital Investments Will Drive Long Term Value
Analysts have slightly lowered their outlook on Sun Life Financial, citing weakness in the U.S. segment and asset management despite resilient profitability and stable fundamentals, resulting in the consensus price target remaining unchanged at CA$87.17. Analyst Commentary Recent Q2 results were generally in line with expectations, but showed weakness in the U.S. segment and Asset Management, leading to lowered price targets.Analysis Article • Jul 27
Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSE:SLF) Could Be Riskier Than It Looks
With a median price-to-earnings (or "P/E") ratio of close to 16x in Canada, you could be forgiven for feeling...
New Narrative • Nov 07
Digital Transformation And Tactical Acquisitions Propel Company Life Toward Dynamic Growth
Digital transformation and strategic acquisitions are expected to enhance efficiencies and earnings through improved client experiences and alternative investment strategies.Stability and Growth of Payments
Fetching dividends data
Stable Dividend: SLF's dividends per share have been stable in the past 10 years.
Growing Dividend: SLF's dividend payments have increased over the past 10 years.
Dividend Yield vs Market
| Sun Life Financial Dividend Yield vs Market |
|---|
| Segment | Dividend Yield |
|---|---|
| Company (SLF) | 3.3% |
| Market Bottom 25% (CA) | 1.7% |
| Market Top 25% (CA) | 5.4% |
| Industry Average (Insurance) | 2.7% |
| Analyst forecast (SLF) (up to 3 years) | 3.9% |
Notable Dividend: SLF's dividend (3.35%) is higher than the bottom 25% of dividend payers in the Canadian market (1.67%).
High Dividend: SLF's dividend (3.35%) is low compared to the top 25% of dividend payers in the Canadian market (5.42%).
Earnings Payout to Shareholders
Earnings Coverage: With its reasonable payout ratio (66.8%), SLF's dividend payments are covered by earnings.
Cash Payout to Shareholders
Cash Flow Coverage: With its reasonably low cash payout ratio (39.1%), SLF's dividend payments are well covered by cash flows.
Discover strong dividend paying companies
Company Analysis and Financial Data Status
| Data | Last Updated (UTC time) |
|---|---|
| Company Analysis | 2026/06/17 22:45 |
| End of Day Share Price | 2026/06/17 00:00 |
| Earnings | 2026/03/31 |
| Annual Earnings | 2025/12/31 |
Data Sources
The data used in our company analysis is from S&P Global Market Intelligence LLC. The following data is used in our analysis model to generate this report. Data is normalised which can introduce a delay from the source being available.
| Package | Data | Timeframe | Example US Source * |
|---|---|---|---|
| Company Financials | 10 years |
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| Analyst Consensus Estimates | +3 years |
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| Market Prices | 30 years |
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| Ownership | 10 years |
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| Management | 10 years |
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| Key Developments | 10 years |
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* Example for US securities, for non-US equivalent regulatory forms and sources are used.
Unless specified all financial data is based on a yearly period but updated quarterly. This is known as Trailing Twelve Month (TTM) or Last Twelve Month (LTM) Data. Learn more.
Analysis Model and Snowflake
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Industry and Sector Metrics
Our industry and section metrics are calculated every 6 hours by Simply Wall St, details of our process are available on Github.
Analyst Sources
Sun Life Financial Inc. is covered by 26 analysts. 11 of those analysts submitted the estimates of revenue or earnings used as inputs to our report. Analysts submissions are updated throughout the day.
| Analyst | Institution |
|---|---|
| John Eade | Argus Research Company |
| Jacob Kilstein | Argus Research Company |
| Lemar Persaud | ATB Cormark Historical (Cormark Securities) |