Asian expansion set to spur dividends

Article Excerpt

Sun Life is one of Canada’s oldest life insurance companies. At the same time, it continues to aggressively expand in Asia. That region’s middle class is saving and investing more as its rapid growth continues. The resulting boost to Sun Life’s earnings should let it keep raising its dividend. Moreover, the stock trades at a modest multiple to its earnings. SUN LIFE FINANCIAL INC. $50 (Toronto symbol SLF; Conservative- Growth Dividend Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 613.7 million; Market cap: $30.7 billion; Dividend yield: 3.5%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.sunlife.ca) originally began operating as The Sun Insurance Company of Montreal in 1865. It’s now Canada’s third-largest life insurance company by market cap, behind Manulife Financial (No. 1) and Great-West Lifeco (No.2). The company mainly sells life insurance, savings, retirement and pension products to individuals and corporations. Canada is its largest market, accounting for 37% of its earnings. Sun Life also operates in the U.S. (20% of earnings), Asia (11%) and…