Sun Life Reports First Quarter 2025 Results
|
- Underlying net income(1) of
$1,045 million increased$170 million or 19% from Q1'24; underlying return on equity ("ROE")(1) was 17.7%.- Asset management & wealth(2) underlying net income(1):
$487 million , up$79 million or 19%. - Group - Health & Protection underlying net income(1):
$330 million , up$50 million or 18%. - Individual - Protection underlying net income(1)(3):
$325 million , up$55 million or 20%. - Corporate expenses & other(1)(3):
$(97) million net loss, increase in net loss of$(14) million or 17%.
- Asset management & wealth(2) underlying net income(1):
- Reported net income of
$928 million increased$110 million or 13% from Q1'24; reported ROE(1) was 15.7%. - Assets under management ("AUM")(1) of
$1,551 billion increased$81 billion or 6% from Q1'24. - Increase to common share dividend from
$0.84 to$0.88 per share.
"This quarter, we achieved strong top and bottom-line growth across all of our businesses, reflecting the trust and confidence our Clients continue to place in Sun Life for their health and financial needs," said
"We're pleased with our overall results this quarter, which were supported by our strong fundamentals, while continuing to progress towards our Medium-Term Objectives," said
Financial and Operational Highlights
|
|
Quarterly results |
|
Profitability |
Q1'25 |
Q1'24 |
|
|
Underlying net income ($ millions)(1) |
1,045 |
875 |
|
Reported net income - Common shareholders ($ millions) |
928 |
818 |
|
Underlying EPS ($)(1)(4) |
1.82 |
1.50 |
|
Reported EPS ($)(4) |
1.62 |
1.40 |
|
Underlying ROE(1) |
17.7 % |
16.0 % |
|
Reported ROE(1) |
15.7 % |
15.0 % |
|
|
|
|
Growth |
Q1'25 |
Q1'24 |
|
|
Asset management gross flows & wealth sales ($ millions)(1) |
62,221 |
46,898 |
|
Group - Health & Protection sales ($ millions)(1) |
580 |
528 |
|
Individual - Protection sales ($ millions)(1) |
874 |
757 |
|
Assets under management ("AUM") ($ billions)(1) |
1,551 |
1,470 |
|
New business Contractual Service Margin ("CSM") ($ millions)(1) |
406 |
347 |
|
|
|
|
Financial Strength |
Q1'25 |
Q1'24 |
|
|
LICAT ratios (at period end)(5) |
|
|
|
|
149 % |
148 % |
|
Sun |
141 % |
142 % |
|
Financial leverage ratio (at period end)(1)(7) |
20.1 % |
21.1 % |
_________________ |
|
(1) |
Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. For more details, see the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section in this document and in Q1'25 MD&A. |
(2) |
Effective Q1'25, the Wealth & asset management business type was renamed to Asset management & wealth. |
(3) |
Effective Q1'25, Regional Office in |
(4) |
All earnings per share ("EPS") measures refer to fully diluted EPS, unless otherwise stated. |
(5) |
Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test ("LICAT") ratio. Our LICAT ratios are calculated in accordance with the OSFI-mandated guideline, Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test. |
(6) |
|
(7) |
The calculation for the financial leverage ratio includes the CSM balance (net of taxes) in the denominator. The CSM (net of taxes) was |
Financial and Operational Highlights - Quarterly Comparison (Q1'25 vs. Q1'24)
($ millions) |
Q1'25 |
|||||
Underlying net income by business type(1)(2): |
Sun Life |
Asset |
|
|
|
Corporate |
Asset management & wealth |
487 |
351 |
112 |
— |
24 |
— |
Group - Health & Protection |
330 |
— |
145 |
185 |
— |
— |
Individual - Protection(3) |
325 |
— |
119 |
33 |
173 |
— |
Corporate expenses & other(3) |
(97) |
— |
— |
— |
— |
(97) |
Underlying net income(1) |
1,045 |
351 |
376 |
218 |
197 |
(97) |
Reported net income (loss) - Common shareholders |
928 |
326 |
351 |
186 |
166 |
(101) |
Change in underlying net income (% year-over-year) |
19 % |
24 % |
21 % |
15 % |
11 % |
nm(4) |
Change in reported net income (% year-over-year) |
13 % |
15 % |
21 % |
92 % |
(29) % |
nm(4) |
Asset management gross flows & wealth sales(1) |
62,221 |
52,521 |
6,527 |
— |
3,173 |
— |
Group - Health & Protection sales(1) |
580 |
— |
375 |
176 |
29 |
— |
Individual - Protection sales(1) |
874 |
— |
139 |
— |
735 |
— |
Change in asset management gross flows & wealth sales (% year-over-year) |
33 % |
29 % |
60 % |
— |
51 % |
— |
Change in group sales (% year-over-year) |
10 % |
— |
21 % |
(8) % |
12 % |
— |
Change in individual sales (% year-over-year) |
15 % |
— |
7 % |
— |
17 % |
— |
(1) |
Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. For more details, see the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section in this document and in the Q1'25 MD&A. |
(2) |
For more information about the business types in Sun Life's business groups, see section A - How We Report Our Results in the Q1'25 MD&A. |
(3) |
Effective Q1'25, Regional Office in |
(4) |
Not meaningful. |
Underlying net income(1) of
-
Asset management & wealth(1) up
$79 million: Higher fee-related earnings from catch-up fees and strong performance of net seed investment income in SLC Management, and higher fee income inCanada andAsia . -
Group - Health & Protection(1) up
$50 million: Business growth and favourable protection experience inCanada primarily from morbidity and mortality experience, and higherU.S. Dental results, partially offset by moderately unfavourable morbidity experience inU.S. medical stop-loss. -
Individual - Protection(1)(2)up
$55 million: Business growth and higher contributions from joint ventures inAsia , and improved protection experience inCanada largely from mortality experience. -
Corporate expenses & other(1)(2)
$(14) million increase in net loss primarily reflecting lower investment income from surplus assets.
Reported net income of
- The increase in underlying net income;
- Market-related impacts primarily reflecting improved real estate experience(3) and favourable interest rate impacts partially offset by unfavourable equity market impacts; and
- Fair value changes in MFS(4) shares owned by management; partially offset by
- Prior year gains on partial sale of ABSLAMC(5) and the early termination of a distribution agreement in Asset Management.
Underlying ROE was 17.7% and reported ROE was 15.7% (Q1'24 - 16.0% and 15.0%, respectively).
_______________ |
|
(1) |
Refer to section C - Profitability in the Q1'25 MD&A for more information on notable items attributable to reported and underlying net income items and the Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document for a reconciliation between reported net income and underlying net income. For more information about the business types in Sun Life's operating segments/business groups, see section A - How We Report Our Results in the Q1'25 MD&A. |
(2) |
Effective Q1'25, Regional Office in |
(3) |
Real estate experience reflects the difference between the actual value of real estate investments compared to management's longer-term expected returns supporting insurance contract liabilities ("real estate experience"). |
(4) |
|
(5) |
To meet regulatory obligations, on |
Business Group Highlights
Asset Management: A global leader in both public and alternative asset classes through MFS and SLC Management
Asset Management underlying net income of
-
MFS up
$12 million (down$3 million on aU.S. dollar basis): Driven by favourable foreign exchange translation. Higher fee income from higher average net assets ("ANA") and lower expenses were offset by a decrease in net investment income and the effect of one less calendar day in the quarter. The MFS pre-tax net operating profit margin(1) was 35.4% for Q1'25, compared to 37.2% in the prior year. -
SLC Management up
$57 million: Higher fee-related earnings and strong performance of net seed investment income primarily from BentallGreenOak ("BGO"), largely attributed to market gains reflecting appreciation due to completion of construction and strong leasing fundamentals. Fee-related earnings(1) increased 43% driven by higher catch-up fees, reflecting strong capital raising, partially offset by higher expenses. Fee-related earnings margin(1) was 24.3% for Q1'25, compared to 23.9% in the prior year.
Reported net income of
Foreign exchange translation led to an increase of
Asset Management ended Q1'25 with
MFS is focused on meeting Client needs by providing a diverse range of investment products. MFS won the 2025 Lipper Award(2) for Fixed Income as the top large fixed income manager in the
MFS continued to experience solid fixed income flows and saw positive momentum with the Q4'24 launch of active exchange traded funds ("ETFs"), generating approximately
BGO raised an additional
BGO also partnered with
-
Asset management & wealth up
$3 million: Higher fee income driven by higher AUM reflecting market movements and strong net inflows. -
Group - Health & Protection up
$31 million: Business growth and favourable protection experience primarily driven by favourable morbidity reflecting shorter claims durations, and favourable mortality reflecting lower claims severity. -
Individual - Protection up
$32 million: Improved protection experience largely driven by favourable mortality reflecting lower claims severity.
Reported net income of
- Asset management gross flows & wealth sales of
$7 billion were up 60%, driven by higher defined contribution sales in Group Retirement Services ("GRS") from higher large case sales, and higher mutual fund sales in Individual Wealth. - Group - Health & Protection sales of
$375 million were up 21%, driven by higher large case sales. - Individual - Protection sales of
$139 million were up 7%, driven by higher SLFD(4) and third-party sales.
_________________ |
|
(1) |
Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. For more details, see the Non-IFRS Financial Measures section in this document and in the Q1'25 MD&A. |
(2) |
|
(3) |
Compared to the prior year. |
(4) |
Sun Life Financial Distribution ("SLFD") is our proprietary career advisory network. |
Our Purpose is at the heart of what we do, and this extends to supporting Clients and their loved ones. During the first quarter, we partnered with Empathy, a bereavement support platform, to provide support to beneficiaries and their families as part of the group life insurance claims process, helping them navigate the challenges of loss and grief. Sun Life is one of the first insurers in
We also continue to introduce new, more flexible ways to help plan members achieve financial security. During the first quarter, we launched Sun Life Choices Flex, an option for plan members to add additional savings streams to their workplace plan and manage them in one convenient place.
-
Group - Health & Protection up
US$5 million: Higher Dental results primarily reflecting improved claims experience driven by the impact of Medicaid repricing and the prior year impacts following the end of the Public Health Emergency, partially offset by moderately unfavourable morbidity experience in medical stop-loss reflecting less favourable loss ratios. -
Individual - Protection up
US$5 million: Higher net investment results primarily driven by improved credit experience.
Reported net income of
Foreign exchange translation led to an increase of
We continue to help our members access the health care and coverage they need while helping employers simplify benefits through digital capabilities and automation. Sun Life
We also expanded our
-
Asset management & wealth up
$7 million: Higher fee income primarily driven by higher AUM. -
Individual - Protection(1)up
$13 million: Good sales momentum and in-force business growth, and higher contributions from joint ventures, partially offset by lower earnings on surplus and unfavourable mortality experience in International.
Reported net income of
Foreign exchange translation led to an increase of
- Individual sales of
$735 million were up 17%, driven by higher sales in:India from bancassurance and direct-to-consumer channels;Hong Kong from agency and bancassurance channels; andChina from the bancassurance channel.
- Asset management gross flows & wealth sales of
$3 billion were up 51%, driven by higher fixed income fund sales inIndia .
New business CSM of
We continue to focus on expanding our distribution in fast-growth markets. During the first quarter, we launched an expanded 15-year partnership with CIMB Niaga, the second largest private bank in
We deliver on Client experiences by providing products that meet their life goals. In
________________ |
|
(1) |
Effective Q1'25, Regional office expenses & other was moved to the Individual - Protection business type, reflecting a reporting refinement. Prior period amounts reflect current presentation. |
(2) |
Compared to the prior year. |
(3) |
|
Corporate
Underlying net loss was
Reported net loss was
Earnings Conference Call
The Company's Q1'25 financial results will be reviewed at a conference call on
Media Relations: |
Investor Relations: |
Non-IFRS Financial Measures
We report certain financial information using non-IFRS financial measures, as we believe that these measures provide information that is useful to investors in understanding our performance and facilitate a comparison of our quarterly and full year results from period to period. These non-IFRS financial measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies. For certain non-IFRS financial measures, there are no directly comparable amounts under IFRS. These non-IFRS financial measures should not be viewed in isolation from or as alternatives to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with IFRS. Additional information concerning non-IFRS financial measures and, if applicable, reconciliations to the closest IFRS measures are available in the Q1'25 MD&A under the heading N - Non-IFRS Financial Measures and the Supplementary Financial Information packages that are available on www.sunlife.com under Investors – Financial results and reports.
1. Underlying Net Income and Underlying EPS
Underlying net income is a non-IFRS financial measure that assists in understanding Sun Life's business performance by making certain adjustments to IFRS income. Underlying net income, along with common shareholders' net income (Reported net income), is used as a basis for management planning, and is also a key measure in our employee incentive compensation programs. This measure reflects management's view of the underlying business performance of the company and long-term earnings potential. For example, due to the longer term nature of our individual protection businesses, market movements related to interest rates, equity markets and investment properties can have a significant impact on reported net income in the reporting period. However, these impacts are not necessarily realized, and may never be realized, if markets move in the opposite direction in subsequent periods or in the case of interest rates, the fixed income investment is held to maturity.
Underlying net income removes the impact of the following items from reported net income:
- Market-related impacts reflecting the after-tax difference in actual versus expected market movements;
- Assumptions changes and management actions;
- Other adjustments:
i) MFS shares owned by management;
ii) Acquisition, integration, and restructuring;
iii) Intangible asset amortization;
iv) Other items that are unusual or exceptional in nature.
For additional information about the adjustments removed from reported net income to arrive at underlying net income, refer to section N - Non-IFRS Financial Measures - 2 - Underlying Net Income and Underlying EPS in the Q1'25 MD&A.
The following table sets out the post-tax amounts that were excluded from our underlying net income (loss) and underlying EPS and provides a reconciliation to our reported net income and EPS based on IFRS.
Reconciliations of Select Net Income Measures |
Quarterly results |
|||
($ millions, after-tax) |
Q1'25 |
Q1'24 |
||
Underlying net income |
1,045 |
875 |
||
Market-related impacts |
|
|
||
|
Equity market impacts |
(48) |
12 |
|
|
Interest rate impacts(1) |
57 |
40 |
|
|
Impacts of changes in the fair value of investment properties (real estate experience) |
(31) |
(122) |
|
Add: |
Market-related impacts |
(22) |
(70) |
|
Add: |
Assumption changes and management actions |
(4) |
(7) |
|
|
Other adjustments |
|
|
|
|
|
MFS shares owned by management |
5 |
(12) |
|
|
Acquisition, integration and restructuring(2)(3)(4) |
(54) |
22 |
|
|
Intangible asset amortization |
(39) |
(36) |
|
|
Other(5) |
(3) |
46 |
Add: |
Total of other adjustments |
(91) |
20 |
|
Reported net income - Common shareholders |
928 |
818 |
||
Underlying EPS (diluted) ($) |
1.82 |
1.50 |
||
Add: |
Market-related impacts ($) |
(0.04) |
(0.13) |
|
|
Assumption changes and management actions ($) |
(0.01) |
(0.01) |
|
|
MFS shares owned by management ($) |
0.01 |
(0.02) |
|
|
Acquisition, integration and restructuring ($) |
(0.09) |
0.04 |
|
|
Intangible asset amortization ($) |
(0.07) |
(0.06) |
|
|
Other ($) |
(0.01) |
0.08 |
|
|
Impact of convertible securities on diluted EPS ($) |
0.01 |
— |
|
Reported EPS (diluted) ($) |
1.62 |
1.40 |
(1) |
Our results are sensitive to long term interest rates given the nature of our business and to non-parallel yield curve movements (for example flattening, inversion, steepening, etc.). |
(2) |
Amounts relate to acquisition costs for our SLC Management affiliates, BentallGreenOak, |
(3) |
Includes acquisition, integration and restructuring costs associated with DentaQuest, acquired on |
(4) |
To meet regulatory obligations, in Q1'24, we sold 6.3% of our ownership interest in Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited ("partial sale of ABSLAMC"), generating a gain of |
(5) |
Includes the early termination of a distribution agreement in Asset Management in Q1'24. |
The following table shows the pre-tax amount of underlying net income adjustments:
|
Quarterly results |
||
($ millions) |
Q1'25 |
Q1'24 |
|
Underlying net income (after-tax) |
1,045 |
875 |
|
Underlying net income adjustments (pre-tax): |
|
|
|
Add: |
Market-related impacts |
(28) |
(26) |
|
Assumption changes and management actions ("ACMA")(1) |
(5) |
(8) |
|
Other adjustments |
(113) |
41 |
|
Total underlying net income adjustments (pre-tax) |
(146) |
7 |
Add: |
Taxes related to underlying net income adjustments |
29 |
(64) |
Reported net income - Common shareholders (after-tax) |
928 |
818 |
(1) |
In this document, the reported net income impact of ACMA excludes amounts attributable to participating policyholders and includes non-liability impacts. In contrast, the net income impacts of method and assumption changes in the Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended |
Taxes related to underlying net income adjustments may vary from the expected effective tax rate range reflecting the mix of business based on the Company's international operations and other tax-related adjustments.
2. Additional Non-IFRS Financial Measures
Management also uses the following non-IFRS financial measures, and a full listing is available in section N - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in the Q1'25 MD&A.
Assets under management. AUM is a non-IFRS financial measure that indicates the size of our Company's assets across asset management, wealth, and insurance. There is no standardized financial measure under IFRS. In addition to the most directly comparable IFRS measures, which are the balance of General funds and Segregated funds on our Statements of Financial Position, AUM also includes Third-party AUM and Consolidation adjustments. "Consolidation adjustments" is presented separately as consolidation adjustments apply to all components of total AUM. For additional information about Third-party AUM, refer to sections D - Growth - 2 - Assets Under Management and N - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in the Q1'25 MD&A.
|
Quarterly results |
|
($ millions) |
Q1'25 |
Q1'24 |
Assets under management |
|
|
General fund assets |
223,310 |
204,986 |
Segregated funds |
149,650 |
135,541 |
Third-party AUM(1) |
1,224,770 |
1,170,093 |
Consolidation adjustments(1) |
(46,847) |
(40,540) |
Total assets under management |
1,550,883 |
1,470,080 |
(1) |
Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. For more details, see section N - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in the Q1'25 MD&A. |
Cash and other liquid assets. This measure is comprised of cash, cash equivalents, short-term investments, and publicly traded securities, net of loans related to acquisitions and short-term loans that are held at
($ millions) |
As at |
As at |
Cash and other liquid assets (held at |
|
|
Cash, cash equivalents & short-term securities |
617 |
479 |
Debt securities(1) |
722 |
780 |
Equity securities(2) |
— |
112 |
Sub-total |
1,339 |
1,371 |
Less: Loans related to acquisitions and short-term loans(3) (held at |
— |
(17) |
Cash and other liquid assets (held at |
1,339 |
1,354 |
(1) |
Includes publicly traded bonds. |
(2) |
Includes ETF Investments. |
(3) |
Includes drawdowns from credit facilities to manage timing of cash flows. |
3. Reconciliations of Select Non-IFRS Financial Measures
Underlying Net Income to Reported Net Income Reconciliation - Pre-tax by
|
Q1'25 |
||||||
($ millions) |
Asset Management |
Canada |
U.S. |
|
Corporate |
Total |
|
Underlying net income (loss) |
351 |
376 |
218 |
197 |
(97) |
1,045 |
|
Add: |
Market-related impacts (pre-tax) |
(11) |
(9) |
15 |
(19) |
(4) |
(28) |
|
ACMA (pre-tax) |
— |
(2) |
— |
(3) |
— |
(5) |
|
Other adjustments (pre-tax) |
(20) |
(23) |
(60) |
(10) |
— |
(113) |
|
Tax expense (benefit) |
6 |
9 |
13 |
1 |
— |
29 |
Reported net income (loss) - Common shareholders |
326 |
351 |
186 |
166 |
(101) |
928 |
|
|
Q1'24 |
||||||
Underlying net income (loss) |
282 |
310 |
189 |
177 |
(83) |
875 |
|
Add: |
Market-related impacts (pre-tax) |
2 |
45 |
(53) |
(16) |
(4) |
(26) |
|
ACMA (pre-tax) |
— |
(7) |
2 |
(3) |
— |
(8) |
|
Other adjustments (pre-tax) |
26 |
(8) |
(67) |
90 |
— |
41 |
|
Tax expense (benefit) |
(26) |
(50) |
26 |
(13) |
(1) |
(64) |
Reported net income (loss) - Common shareholders |
284 |
290 |
97 |
235 |
(88) |
818 |
Forward-looking Statements
From time to time, the Company makes written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements contained in this document include statements (i) relating to our strategies, plans, targets, goals and priorities; (ii) relating to our growth initiatives and other business objectives; (iii) relating to the renewal of our normal course issuer bid to enable continued share buybacks; (iv) that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions; and (v) that include words such as "achieve", "aim", "ambition", "anticipate", "aspiration", "assumption", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "goal", "initiatives", "intend", "may", "objective", "outlook", "plan", "project", "seek", "should", "strategy", "strive", "target", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. These statements represent our current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events and are not historical facts, and remain subject to change.
Forward-looking statements are not a guarantee of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Future results and shareholder value may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to, among other factors, the matters set out in the Q1'25 MD&A under the headings C - Profitability - 5 - Income taxes, F - Financial Strength and I - Risk Management and in
Important risk factors that could cause our assumptions and estimates, and expectations and projections to be inaccurate and our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document, are set out below. The realization of our forward-looking statements essentially depends on our business performance which, in turn, is subject to many risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to: market risks - related to the performance of equity markets; changes or volatility in interest rates or credit spreads or swap spreads; real estate investments; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; and inflation; insurance risks - related to mortality experience, morbidity experience and longevity; policyholder behaviour; product design and pricing; the impact of higher-than-expected future expenses; and the availability, cost and effectiveness of reinsurance; credit risks - related to issuers of securities held in our investment portfolio, debtors, structured securities, reinsurers, counterparties, other financial institutions and other entities; business and strategic risks - related to global economic and geopolitical conditions; the design and implementation of business strategies; changes in distribution channels or Client behaviour including risks relating to market conduct by intermediaries and agents; the impact of competition; the performance of our investments and investment portfolios managed for Clients such as segregated and mutual funds; shifts in investing trends and Client preference towards products that differ from our investment products and strategies; changes in the legal or regulatory environment, including capital requirements and tax laws; environmental and social issues and their related laws and regulations; operational risks - related to breaches or failure of information system security and privacy, including cyber-attacks; our ability to attract and retain employees; legal, regulatory compliance and market conduct, including the impact of regulatory inquiries and investigations; the execution and integration of mergers, acquisitions, strategic investments and divestitures; our information technology infrastructure; a failure of information systems and Internet-enabled technology; dependence on third-party relationships, including outsourcing arrangements; business continuity; model errors; information management; liquidity risks - the possibility that we will not be able to fund all cash outflow commitments as they fall due; and other risks - changes to accounting standards in the jurisdictions in which we operate; risks associated with our international operations, including our joint ventures; market conditions that affect our capital position or ability to raise capital; downgrades in financial strength or credit ratings; and tax matters, including estimates and judgements used in calculating taxes.
The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise its forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this document or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
About Sun Life
Sun Life is a leading international financial services organization providing asset management, wealth, insurance and health solutions to individual and institutional Clients. Sun Life has operations in a number of markets worldwide, including
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