May 29, 2025
Top 10 Stock Sun Life Financial Strong Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Sun Life Financial – Top 10 Stock in SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being
Sun Life Financial is listed as a top 10 stock on May 29, 2025 in the market index SDG 3 because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, it is a solid investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is low. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 100 (top 100% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall strong buy recommendation for Sun Life Financial on May 29, 2025.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Sun Life Financial Strong Buy
| 360 METRICS | May 29, 2025 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 52 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 53 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 32 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 98 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 100 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 100 (better than 100% compared with alternatives) for 2022, overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Sun Life Financial are very positive. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Sun Life Financial. The consolidated Value Rank has an attractive rank of 52, which means that the share price of Sun Life Financial is on the lower side compared with the typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is lower than for 52% of alternative stocks in the same industry. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 53, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth, as well as stock returns. In addition, professional market sentiment is above average compared with other stock investment alternatives with a Sentiment Rank of 98. But the company’s financing is risky with a Safety rank of 32. This means 68% of comparable companies have a safer financing structure than Sun Life Financial. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 100, Sun Life Financial is better positioned than 100% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. As three out of four consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, such as good value (Value Rank of 52), above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53), and positive market sentiment in the professional investor community (Sentiment Rank of 98), it is a solid stock investment where the risk of paying too much for the shares is limited, and disappointments are less likely, unless information not publicly available. Only the company financing structure is on the riskier side (Safety Rank of 32), but that would also mean better returns for shareholders if things work out well. Good value is sometimes an indication that the company's future is challenging. If they have been growing above average and are still a good value, it may indicate that this will not continue. We recommend evaluating whether the future of Sun Life Financial is as difficult as the low price of the stock, despite good growth and positive professional investor sentiment, suggests. Since the professional community is optimistic, you might have less to worry about, and the stock is just not sufficiently visible right now, which may indicate good timing. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Sun Life Financial very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 98 (better than 98% compared with alternatives) for 2022, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Sun Life Financial is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for Sun Life Financial. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 75 (better than 75% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 84, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in Sun Life Financial. The Professional Investors rank is 100, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 100% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 85 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 85% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 98 (more positive than 98% compared with investment alternatives), Sun Life Financial has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean Sun Life Financial stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: Sun Life Financial Stock Price Value better than average
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 52 (better than 52% compared with alternatives), Sun Life Financial shares are more attractively priced than the majority of comparable stocks. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Sun Life Financial. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 88% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 39 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 61% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Sun Life Financial's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 47 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 53% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 36 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 64% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 52, is a buy recommendation based on Sun Life Financial's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Sun Life Financial? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Sun Life Financial only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Sun Life Financial Growth Momentum good
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 53 (better than 53% compared with alternatives), Sun Life Financial shows an above-average growth dynamic in its industry. Investors also speak of positive momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with half of the indicators below and half above average for Sun Life Financial. Profit Growth has a rank of 74, which means that currently professionals expect the company to grow its profits more than 74% of its competitors. This is a good sign for shareholders, which is confirmed by an above-average Stock Returns rank of 73 (above 73% of alternative investments). But Sales Growth has a below the median rank of 21, which means that, currently, professionals expect the company to grow less than 79% of its competitors, and Capital Growth also has a lower rank of 27. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 53, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. Because revenues and invested capital are the more solid growth indicators, the positive development on the profit side is less relevant. It may have been caused by cost-cutting, which may be a negative growth indicator. Finally, the above-average stock returns recently are a thing of the past and not a good indicator of future returns. Investors should be confident that the cost-cutting initiative leading to higher profits is to benefit the company's future. If not, there is little growth momentum, and investment is only advisable if the Value Ranks suggest a good investment timing for Sun Life Financial. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Sun Life Financial Debt Financing Safety below-average
| SAFETY METRICS | May 29, 2025 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 18 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 88 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 25 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 32 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 32 (better than 32% compared with alternatives), the company Sun Life Financial has financing practices on the riskier side, which means that their overall debt burden is above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Sun Life Financial is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with just one indicator above average for Sun Life Financial and the other two below average. Refinancing is at 88, meaning the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is below average. It has less debt in the refinancing stage than 88% of its competitors. But Leverage is high with a rank of 18, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 82% of its competitors. Liquidity is also on the riskier side with a rank of 25, meaning the company generates less profit to service its debt than 75% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 32 (worse than 68% compared with alternatives), Sun Life Financial has a financing structure that is riskier than that of its competitors. A good Refinancing Rank means that the problems of the company may not be around the corner. But high Leverage is only good if things go well, and low Liquidity is a signal for caution. The financing signals for Sun Life Financial are on the riskier side, requiring the company's future to be on the safer side. Investors may want to look at Growth and Sentiment ranks before making an investment decision. ...read more
Combined financial peformance: Sun Life Financial Lowest Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | May 29, 2025 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 52 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 53 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 25 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 21 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 21 (worse than 79% compared with investment alternatives), Sun Life Financial (Life & Health Insurance, Canada) shares have lower financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Sun Life Financial are a good value (attractively priced) with a consolidated Value Rank of 52 (better than 52% of alternatives), show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 53) but are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 32), which means above-average debt burdens. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 21, is a sell recommendation based on Sun Life Financial's financial characteristics. As the company Sun Life Financial's key financial metrics exhibit excellent performance in two areas, such as good value (Obermatt Value Rank of 52) and above-average growth (Obermatt Growth Rank of 53), it could be argued that the risk-taking in financing (Obermatt Safety Rank of only 32) indicates that the company is optimistic about the future and sees debt as an opportunity to boost returns. More debt means more shareholder returns if everything goes well. However, higher debt burdens are risky when interest rates rise or the business deteriorates in a crisis. If you believe the company's future is market-typical or even better, this could be an argument for a share purchase. ...read more
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