Sun Life Financial Closes The Premier Dental Group Buyout

Sun Life Financial Inc. (TO:SLF) closed the buyout of The Premier Dental Group, Inc. (PDG). The U.S. business group of Sun Life Financial had announced the acquisition in Apr 20, 2017. The acquisition will strengthen its dental network.

Minnesota-based The Premier Dental Group was founded in 1991. It offers dental plan issuers and administrators with one of the strongest dental preferred provider networks (PPOs).

Sun Life Financial has intensified its focus on enhancing dental presence. The acquisition of the U.S. Employee Benefits Business of Assurant, Inc. (NYSE:AIZ) last year positioned the company as the second-largest dental network in the U.S. Now, the addition of The Premier Dental Group will help the life insurer to consolidate its dental presence, while the former continues to operate under its existing brand as a stand-alone entity.

Sun Life considers acquisitions a prudent approach to ramp up its growth profile and is aggressively seeking to expand its international business. It is focusing on the emerging economies of Asia that are expected to provide higher returns and growth than the North American markets. The company has a strong presence in China, Philippines, India, Hong Kong and Indonesia and has also forayed into Malaysia and Vietnam. These indicate an effective capital deployment, supported by a solid financial standing.

Shares of Sun Life Financial have lost 9.55% quarter to date, underperforming the Zacks categorized Life Insurance industry’s gain of 2.81%. Nonetheless, an intensifying approach to Asia, successful integration of acquisitions, expanding the global asset management business, a strong operational performance and a solid capital position should drive the shares higher.

Sun Life presently carries Zacks Rank #4 (Sell).

Stocks to Consider

Better-ranked life insurers are Torchmark Corp. (NYSE:TMK) and Athene Holding Ltd. (NYSE:ATH) . Both carry Zacks Rank #2 (Buy). You can see the complete list of today’s Zacks #1 Rank stocks here.

Torchmark provides annuities, whole and term life insurance, accidental death insurance, health insurance, Medicare supplements and long-term healthcare policies. The company delivered positive four quarter average positive surprises in the last four quarters with an average beat of 2.01%.

Athene Holding issues, reinsures and acquires retirement savings products designed for individuals and institutions, seeking to fund retirement needs in the United States, the District of Columbia and Germany. The company delivered positive surprises in the last two quarters with average beat of 29.60%.

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