SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549

 

FORM 6-K

 

Report of Foreign Private Issuer
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

 

For the month of May 2015 Commission File Number: 001-15014

 

SUN LIFE FINANCIAL INC.

(the "Company")


(Translation of registrant's name into English)

 

150 King Street West, Toronto, Ontario, M5H 1J9

 

(Address of principal executive offices)

 

 Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports under cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.

 

Form 20-F ☐   Form 40-F ☒

 

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the information contained in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to the Commission pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934.

 

Yes ☐   No ☒

 

 If "Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-  N/A

 

 

 

 

 

 
 

 

SIGNATURE

 

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.

 

         
    Sun Life Financial Inc.
(Registrant)
 
 
 
Date: May 5, 2015   By:   /s/ “Eric Weinheimer”
        Eric Weinheimer,
        Vice-President and Associate General Counsel

 

 

 

 
 

 

 

     
Exhibits   Description
     
99.1   News Release Dated May 5, 2015 - Sun Life Financial Reports First Quarter 2015 Results

 

 



Exhibit 99.1

 

Sun Life Financial Reports First Quarter 2015 Results

TORONTO, May 5, 2015 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF)

The information contained in this document concerning the first quarter of 2015 is based on the unaudited interim financial results of Sun Life Financial Inc. for the period ended March 31, 2015. Sun Life Financial Inc., and its subsidiaries and joint ventures, are collectively referred to as "the Company", "Sun Life Financial", "we", "our", and "us". Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.

First Quarter 2015 Financial Highlights

·Operating net income(1) of $446 million or $0.73 per share(1)(2), compared to $454 million or $0.74 per share in the first quarter of 2014. Reported net income of $441 million or $0.72 per share, compared to $400 million or $0.65 per share in the same period last year
·Underlying net income(1) of $516 million or $0.84 per share(1)(2) in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $440 million or $0.72 per share in the first quarter of 2014
·Operating return on equity(1) ("ROE") of 10.4% and underlying ROE(1) of 12.1% in the first quarter of 2015, compared to operating ROE of 12.0% and underlying ROE of 11.6% in the same period last year
·Quarterly dividend declared of $0.38 per share
·Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements ratio for Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada of 216%

"Our first quarter underlying earnings were strong at $516 million, driven by solid contributions from all four pillars," said Dean Connor, President and Chief Executive Officer, Sun Life Financial. "We are pleased to announce an increase of two cents per share in our quarterly dividend to 38 cents per share based on these results and our business momentum."

"In Canada, Sun Life entered into a groundbreaking longevity insurance agreement, transferring the longevity risk for $5 billion of Bell Canada's pension plan liability to Sun Life, further strengthening our leadership position in the Canadian pension de-risking market," Connor said. "Sun Life Global Investments performed well, delivering strong investment performance results to customers and expanding its product shelf, which drove growth of total sales 41% over the prior year to $811 million."

"Global assets under management rose 20% to $813 billion from the first quarter of 2014 reflecting the continued strengthening of the U.S. dollar and market movement, with assets under management at MFS increasing to US$441 billion," Connor said. "We continue to grow our asset management pillar, completing the purchase of Ryan Labs Inc. which further extends our asset management footprint in the U.S."

"We were pleased with earnings in SLF U.S.'s Group Benefits business. While it will take several quarters to achieve sustainable results, these results indicate that the management actions taken in 2014 are having a positive impact on the business."

"Our business in Asia continued its steep growth trajectory, delivering strong underlying net income of $62 million, with individual insurance sales up 15% from the first quarter of the prior year excluding currency impact."

                       

(1) Operating net income (loss) and financial information based on operating net income (loss), such as operating earnings (loss) per share, operating ROE, underlying net income (loss), underlying earnings (loss) per share and underlying ROE, are not based on International Financial Reporting Standards. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) All earnings per share ("EPS") measures refer to fully diluted EPS, unless otherwise stated.

Reported net income was $441 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to reported net income of $400 million in the same period last year. The following table sets out our operating net income and underlying net income for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014.

($ millions, after-tax) Q1'15   Q1'14
Operating net income 446   454
  Market related impacts (22)   (26)
  Assumption changes and management actions (48)   40
Underlying net income 516   440

The Board of Directors of Sun Life Financial Inc. today declared a quarterly shareholder dividend of $0.38 per common share.

Operational Highlights
Our strategy is focused on four key pillars of growth. We detail our continued progress against these pillars below.

Leader in financial protection and wealth solutions in our Canadian home market
Defined Benefit Solutions, part of our Group Retirement Services business, completed a transfer of longevity risk for $5 billion of pension plan liabilities from Bell Canada to Sun Life. The transaction, of which a significant portion was reinsured, further advances our leadership position in helping employers de-risk their defined benefit pension plans.

Our group businesses continue to grow in Canada with business in-force in Group Benefits at $9 billion and assets under administration of $77 billion in Group Retirement Services. The recently released 2014 Benefits Canada results confirmed that Group Benefits has retained the #1 ranking(1), extending its lead over the competition. Rollover pension sales in the first quarter experienced strong growth of 24% over the first quarter of 2014.

Wealth sales in SLF Canada's Individual business grew 4% to $1.5 billion compared to the same period last year, as strong sales of retail mutual funds were partially offset by lower sales of guaranteed and fixed income products in a low interest rate environment. Total wealth sales in SLF Canada decreased by $1.4 billion from the first quarter of 2014 to $2.8 billion driven mainly by the decrease in Group Retirement Services wealth sales, which were down 52% to $1.3 billion due to significant large case sales during the first quarter of 2014.

Sun Life Financial ranked #1 among life and health insurers in a recent study of the most admired organizations in Quebec according to Les Affaires publication.

Premier global asset manager, anchored by MFS
Global assets under management ("AUM") reached $813 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2015.

MFS Investment Management ("MFS") AUM increased to US$441 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2015 driven by positive market movements. MFS gross sales were $22.8 billion, up 2% from the same period last year, with non-U.S. retail sales up by 47% to $5.2 billion from the first quarter of 2014. Net outflows of $0.2 billion were driven by institutional funds largely offset by retail net inflows.

MFS's long-term retail fund performance remains strong with 95% and 97% of MFS's mutual fund assets ranked in the top half of their Lipper categories based on five- and ten-year performance, respectively, as at March 31, 2015. For the fourth consecutive year, MFS ranked top 10 in the Barron's Fund Family rankings for the ten-year category. In the U.S., the MFS Diversified Income Fund received a Lipper Award as the top performing fund in its three- and five-year category.

We completed the purchase of New York-based asset manager Ryan Labs Inc. on April 2, 2015, increasing our capacity for liability-driven investing and total return fixed income strategies in the U.S.

___________________________
(1) As measured by Benefits Canada magazine based on December 31, 2014 full year premium and premium equivalents.

Leader in U.S. group benefits and International high net worth solutions
SLF U.S.'s medical stop-loss business had continued strong performance, with sales increasing by 21% compared to the first quarter of 2014.

During the quarter we continued to expand distribution opportunities through private exchanges by being selected to participate on the Mercer Marketplace, one of the largest and fastest growing private exchange networks in the U.S.

As a result of our pricing actions, group life and disability sales were down in the quarter, but pricing levels for new business and persistency of existing business were both in line with our expectations.

International life sales in the first quarter of 2015 were US$12 million, or 50% below the first quarter of 2014, as we maintained our disciplined approach to pricing in a low interest rate environment. International wealth sales in the first quarter of 2015 were US$59 million lower than the first quarter of 2014 as we continue to align our product design, marketing efforts, and distribution model to focus on select regions, distributors, and customer segments.

Growing Asia through distribution excellence in higher growth markets
SLF Asia continued to grow agency capabilities in the region. Agency sales in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Hong Kong were up 38%, 38%, and 24%, respectively, measured in local currency. Total wealth sales also increased compared to the same quarter in the prior year, driven by India and China.

Sun Life of Canada (Philippines), Inc. ranked first among life insurers in the Philippines in total premium income for the fourth consecutive year and first in new business premiums for the sixth year, as reported by the country's Insurance Commission during the first quarter of 2015.

Other Highlights
Sun Life Financial celebrated its 150th birthday during the quarter. Sun Life was granted its charter in Montreal on March 18, 1865. The milestone was marked by the opening of the Toronto, New York, and Philippine stock exchanges on March 2, 2015.

How We Report Our Results
Sun Life Financial Inc. ("SLF Inc."), and its subsidiaries and joint ventures, are collectively referred to as "the Company", "Sun Life Financial", "we", "our", and "us". We manage our operations and report our financial results in five business segments: Sun Life Financial Canada ("SLF Canada"), Sun Life Financial United States ("SLF U.S."), MFS Investment Management ("MFS"), Sun Life Financial Asia ("SLF Asia"), and Corporate. Our Corporate segment includes the operations of our United Kingdom business unit ("SLF U.K.") and Corporate Support operations. Our Corporate Support operations includes our Run-off reinsurance business and investment income, expenses, capital and other items not allocated to other business segments. Information concerning these segments is included in our annual and interim consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes ("Annual Consolidated Financial Statements" and "Interim Consolidated Financial Statements", respectively). We prepare our unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements using International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and in accordance with the International Accounting Standard 34 Interim Financial Reporting. The information contained in this document is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

Use of 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 as alternatives to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with IFRS. Additional information concerning these non-IFRS financial measures and reconciliations to the closest IFRS measures are included in our annual and interim management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A") and the Supplementary Financial Information packages that are available on www.sunlife.com under Investors – Financial results & reports. Reconciliations to IFRS measures are also available in this document under the heading Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Operating net income (loss) and financial measures based on operating net income (loss), consisting of operating earnings per share ("EPS") or operating loss per share, and operating return on equity ("ROE"), are non-IFRS financial measures. Operating net income (loss) excludes from reported net income the impact of the following amounts that are not operational or ongoing in nature to assist investors in understanding our business performance: (i) certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting; (ii) fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards at MFS; (iii) the loss on the sale of our U.S. Annuity Business(1); (iv) the impact of assumption changes and management actions related to the sale of our U.S. Annuity Business(1); (v) restructuring and other related costs (including impacts related to the sale of our U.S. Annuity Business); (vi) goodwill and intangible asset impairment charges; and (vii) other items that are not operational or ongoing in nature. Operating EPS also excludes the dilutive impact of convertible instruments.

Underlying net income (loss) and financial measures based on underlying net income (loss), consisting of underlying EPS or underlying loss per share, and underlying ROE, are non-IFRS financial measures. Underlying net income (loss) removes from operating net income (loss) the impact of the following items that create volatility in our results under IFRS and when removed assist in explaining our results from period to period: (a) market related impacts; (b) assumption changes and management actions; and (c) other items that have not been treated as adjustments to operating net income and when removed assist in explaining our results from period to period. Market related impacts include: (i) the impact of changes in interest rates that differ from our best estimate assumptions in the reporting period on investment returns and the value of derivative instruments used in our hedging programs, including changes in credit and swap spreads, and any changes to the assumed fixed income reinvestment rates in determining the actuarial liabilities; (ii) the impact of changes in equity markets, net of hedging, above or below our best estimate assumptions of approximately 2% growth per quarter in the reporting period and of basis risk inherent in our hedging program for products that provide benefit guarantees; and (iii) the impact of changes in the fair value of real estate properties in the reporting period. Additional information regarding these adjustments is available in the footnotes to the table included under the heading Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014 in the Financial Summary section in this document. Assumption changes reflect the impact of revisions to the assumptions used in determining our liabilities for insurance contracts and investment contracts. The impact on our liabilities for insurance contracts and investment contracts of actions taken by management in the current reporting period, referred to as management actions include, for example, changes in the prices of in-force products, new or revised reinsurance on in-force business, or material changes to investment policies for asset segments supporting our liabilities. Underlying EPS also excludes the dilutive impact of convertible instruments.

Other non-IFRS financial measures that we use include adjusted revenue, administrative services only ("ASO"), premium and deposit equivalents, mutual fund assets and sales, managed fund assets and sales, premiums and deposits, adjusted premiums and deposits, assets under management ("AUM") and assets under administration, and operating effective income tax rate on an operating net income basis.

Unless indicated otherwise, all factors discussed in this document that impact our results are applicable to reported net income (loss), operating net income (loss), and underlying net income (loss). Reported net income (loss) refers to Common shareholders' net income (loss) determined in accordance with IFRS. Reported net income (loss), operating net income (loss) including adjustments, underlying net income (loss) including adjustments, and net income and other comprehensive income ("OCI") sensitivities are expressed on an after-tax basis unless otherwise noted.

All EPS measures in this document refer to fully diluted EPS, unless otherwise stated.

Additional Information
Additional information about SLF Inc. can be found in our Annual and Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, annual and interim MD&A and Annual Information Form ("AIF"). These documents are filed with securities regulators in Canada and are available at www.sedar.com. SLF Inc.'s Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, annual MD&A and AIF are filed with the United States Securities and Exchange Commission ("SEC") in SLF Inc.'s annual report on Form 40-F and SLF Inc.'s interim MD&As and Interim Consolidated Financial Statements are furnished to the SEC on Form 6-Ks and are available at www.sec.gov.

________________________
(1) Effective August 1, 2013, we completed the sale of our U.S. annuities business and certain of our U.S. life insurance businesses (collectively, our "U.S. Annuity Business"). For information on our discontinued operations, refer to our 2014 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and 2013 annual MD&A.

Financial Summary

  Quarterly results
($ millions, unless otherwise noted) Q1'15 Q4'14 Q3'14 Q2'14 Q1'14
Net income (loss)          
  Operating net income (loss)(1) 446 511 467 488 454
  Reported net income (loss) 441 502 435 425 400
  Underlying net income (loss)(1) 516 360 517 499 440
Diluted EPS ($)          
  Operating EPS (diluted)(1) 0.73 0.83 0.76 0.80 0.74
  Reported EPS (diluted) 0.72 0.81 0.71 0.69 0.65
  Underlying EPS (diluted)(1) 0.84 0.59 0.84 0.81 0.72
Reported basic EPS ($) 0.72 0.82 0.71 0.70 0.66
Avg. common shares outstanding (millions) 613 613 612 611 610
Closing common shares outstanding (millions) 611.2 613.1 612.7 611.4 610.6
Dividends per common share ($) 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36 0.36
MCCSR ratio(2) 216% 217% 218% 222% 221%
Return on equity (%)          
  Operating ROE(1) 10.4% 12.6% 11.9% 12.6% 12.0%
  Underlying ROE(1) 12.1% 8.8% 13.1% 12.9% 11.6%
Premiums and deposits          
  Net premium revenue 2,207 2,701 2,695 2,372 2,228
  Segregated fund deposits 2,411 2,155 1,907 2,611 2,576
  Mutual fund sales(1) 22,124 17,071 14,714 16,267 18,567
  Managed fund sales(1) 8,243 7,988 8,170 6,131 7,579
  ASO premium and deposit equivalents(1) 1,769 1,855 1,638 1,495 1,760
Total premiums and deposits(1) 36,754 31,770 29,124 28,876 32,710
Assets under management          
  General fund assets 148,725 139,419 133,623 129,253 128,171
  Segregated funds 89,667 83,938 82,058 82,461 80,054
  Mutual funds, managed funds and other AUM(1) 574,166 511,085 482,499 472,677 467,662
Total AUM(1) 812,558 734,442 698,180 684,391 675,887
Capital          
  Subordinated debt and innovative capital instruments(3) 2,881 2,865 2,857 2,849 2,606
  Participating policyholders' equity 142 141 133 131 133
  Total shareholders' equity 19,761 18,731 18,156 17,641 17,818
Total capital 22,784 21,737 21,146 20,621 20,557

(1)  Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements ("MCCSR") ratio of Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life Assurance").
(3) Innovative capital instruments consist of Sun Life ExchangEable Capital Securities and qualify as capital for Canadian regulatory purposes.
However, under IFRS they are reported as Senior debentures in our Annual and Interim Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional
information see Capital and Liquidity Management – Capital in our 2014 annual MD&A.

Unless indicated otherwise, all factors discussed in this document that impact our results are applicable to reported net income (loss), operating net income (loss), and underlying net income (loss).

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014
Our reported net income was $441 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $400 million in the first quarter of 2014. Operating net income was $446 million for the quarter ended March 31, 2015, compared to $454 million for the same period last year. Underlying net income was $516 million, compared to $440 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Operating ROE and underlying ROE in the first quarter of 2015 were 10.4% and 12.1%, respectively. Operating and underlying ROE in the first quarter of 2014 were 12.0% and 11.6%, respectively. The decrease in operating ROE compared to the first quarter of 2014 was largely due to the growth in equity as a result of foreign currency effects and retained earnings over the past twelve months.

The following table reconciles our net income measures and sets out the impact that other notable items had on our net income in the first quarter of 2015 and 2014.

  Quarterly results
($ millions, after-tax) Q1'15 Q1'14
Reported net income 441 400
  Certain hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting in SLF Canada 15 5
  Fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards at MFS (20) (51)
  Restructuring and other related costs (8)
Operating net income(1) 446 454
  Equity market impact    
    Impact from equity market changes 23 30
    Basis risk impact (14) 3
  Equity market impact(2) 9 33
  Interest rate impact    
    Impact from interest rate changes (54) (58)
    Impact of credit spread movements (10) (13)
    Impact of swap spread movements 23 7
  Interest rate impact(3) (41) (64)
  Increases (decreases) from changes in the fair value of real estate 10 5
  Market related impacts (22) (26)
  Assumption changes and management actions (48) 40
Underlying net income(1) 516 440
Impact of other notable items on our net income:    
Experience related items(4)    
  Impact of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities 25 36
  Mortality 11 (10)
  Morbidity 2 (12)
  Credit 5 16
  Lapse and other policyholder behaviour (16) (19)
  Expenses (14) (14)
  Other 4

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and
Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) Equity market impact consists primarily of the effect of changes in equity markets during the
quarter, net of hedging, that differ from the best estimate assumptions used in the determination
of our insurance contract liabilities of approximately 2% growth per quarter in equity markets.
Equity market impact also includes the income impact of the basis risk inherent in our hedging
program, which is the difference between the return on underlying funds of products that
provide benefit guarantees and the return on the derivative assets used to hedge those benefit
guarantees.
(3) Interest rate impact includes the effect of interest rate changes on investment returns that differ
from best estimate assumptions, and on the value of derivative instruments used in our hedging
programs. Our exposure to interest rates varies by product type, line of business, and geography.
Given the long-term nature of our business, we have a higher degree of sensitivity in respect of
interest rates at long durations. Interest rate impact also includes the income impact of declines in
assumed fixed income reinvestment rates and of credit and swap spread movements.
(4) Experience related items reflect the difference between actual experience during the reporting
period and best estimate assumptions used in the determination of our insurance contract liabilities.

Our reported net income for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014 included items that are not operational or ongoing in nature and are, therefore, excluded in our calculation of operating net income. Operating net income for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014 excluded the net impact of certain hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting in SLF Canada, fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards at MFS, and restructuring and other related costs. The net impact of these items reduced reported net income by $5 million in the first quarter of 2015 compared to a reduction of $54 million in the first quarter of 2014. In addition, our operating net income in the first quarter of 2015 increased by $33 million as a result of movements in currency rates relative to the average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014.

Our underlying net income for the first quarter of 2015 and 2014 excludes market related impacts and assumption changes and management actions. Assumption changes and management actions in the quarter were primarily due to a $61 million revision to insurance contract liabilities relating to certain universal life products in SLF U.S. The net impact of market related impacts and assumption changes and management actions reduced operating net income by $70 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to an increase of $14 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Net income in the first quarter of 2015 also reflected gains from investment activity on insurance contract liabilities and positive mortality experience, offset by lapse and other policyholder behaviour and expense experience.

Net income in the first quarter of 2014 also reflected gains from investment activity on insurance contract liabilities and positive credit experience, offset by unfavourable mortality and morbidity, lapse and other policyholder behaviour, and expense experience.

Impact of Foreign Exchange Rates
We have operations in many markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia, and Bermuda, and generate revenues and incur expenses in local currencies in these jurisdictions, which are translated to Canadian dollars.

Items impacting our Consolidated Statements of Operations, such as Revenue, Benefits and expenses, and income, are translated to Canadian dollars using average exchange rates for the respective period. For items impacting our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position, such as Assets and Liabilities, period end rates are used for currency translation purposes. The following table provides the most relevant foreign exchange rates over the past five quarters.

Exchange Rate Quarterly
  Q1'15 Q4'14 Q3'14 Q2'14 Q1'14
Average          
  U.S. Dollar 1.240 1.136 1.088 1.090 1.102
  U.K. Pounds 1.878 1.797 1.817 1.835 1.824
Period end          
  U.S. Dollar 1.269 1.162 1.120 1.067 1.105
  U.K. Pounds 1.880 1.809 1.815 1.824 1.841

In general, our net income benefits from a weakening Canadian dollar and is adversely affected by a strengthening Canadian dollar as net income from the Company's international operations is translated back to Canadian dollars. However, in a period of losses, the weakening of the Canadian dollar has the effect of increasing the losses. The relative impact of foreign exchange in any given period is driven by the movement of currency rates as well as the proportion of earnings generated in our foreign operations. We generally express the impact of foreign exchange on net income on a year-over-year basis. During the first quarter of 2015, our operating net income increased by $33 million as a result of movements in currency rates relative to the average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014.

Performance by Business Group

SLF Canada
SLF Canada is the Canadian market leader in a number of its businesses, providing products and services to 6 million Canadians. Our distribution breadth, strong service culture, technology leadership, and brand recognition provide an excellent platform for growth. SLF Canada has three main business units - Individual Insurance & Wealth, Group Benefits, and Group Retirement Services - which offer a full range of protection, wealth accumulation, and income products and services to individuals in their communities and their workplaces.

  Quarterly results
($ millions) Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14
Underlying net income (loss)(1) 201   181   237   195   210
  Market related impacts (69)   (54)   (33)   (2)   12
  Assumption changes and management actions 3   (4)   35   4   16
Operating net income (loss)(1) 135   123   239   197   238
  Hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting 15   (6)   2   (8)   5
Reported net income (loss) 150   117   241   189   243
Underlying ROE (%)(1) 10.6   9.7   12.8   10.6   11.6
Operating ROE (%)(1) 7.1   6.6   12.9   10.7   13.1
Operating net income (loss) by business unit(1)          
  Individual Insurance & Wealth(1) 38   80   68   96   140
  Group Benefits(1) 54   55   124   53   58
  Group Retirement Services(1) 43   (12)   47   48   40
Total operating net income (loss)(1) 135   123   239   197   238  

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014
SLF Canada's reported net income was $150 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $243 million in the first quarter of 2014. Operating net income was $135 million, compared to $238 million in the first quarter of 2014. Operating net income in SLF Canada excludes the impact of certain hedges that do not qualify for hedge accounting, which is set out in the table above.

Underlying net income in the first quarter of 2015 was $201 million, compared to $210 million in the first quarter of 2014. Underlying net income in SLF Canada excludes from operating net income market related impacts and assumption changes and management actions, which are set out in the table above. In the first quarter of 2015, we experienced downward pressure on net income from declining interest rates. The unfavourable effect of market related impacts in the first quarter of 2015 was primarily driven by interest rate changes partially offset by equity markets, compared to the favourable effect in the first quarter of 2014 primarily driven by equity markets partially offset by interest rates.

Net income in the first quarter of 2015 also reflected gains from investment activities on insurance contract liabilities, partially offset by unfavourable morbidity experience within Group Benefits ("GB") including high cost drug claims, and unfavourable lapse and other policyholder experience.

Net income in the first quarter of 2014 also reflected gains from investment activities on insurance contract liabilities, partially offset by unfavourable morbidity experience in GB in our disability line of business.

In the first quarter of 2015, individual life and health insurance product sales increased to $67 million, up 3% compared to the same period last year driven by improved Career Sales Force sales. Sales of individual wealth products increased 4% over the first quarter of 2014 due to strong mutual fund sales, partially offset by declines in sales of guaranteed and fixed income products driven in part by the continued low interest rate environment. Sales of Sun Life Global Investments (Canada) Inc. ("SLGI") demonstrated strong growth with gross sales of $811 million, up 41% over the same quarter in the prior year.

Group Retirement Services ("GRS") new sales increased to $5.7 billion, mainly attributable to a record $5.3 billion Defined Benefit Solutions large case longevity insurance contract with BCE Inc., of which a significant portion was reinsured to a syndicate of reinsurers. GRS pension rollover sales increased 24% over the same quarter in the prior year due in part to higher average member deposits. GB sales declined 3% compared to the same quarter in the prior year, primarily driven by timing of sales in the large case market segment.

SLF U.S.
SLF U.S. has three business units: Group Benefits, International, and In-force Management. Group Benefits provides protection solutions to employers and employees including group life, disability, medical stop-loss, and dental insurance products, as well as a suite of voluntary benefits products. International offers individual life insurance and investment wealth products to high net worth clients in international markets. In-force Management includes certain closed individual life insurance products, primarily universal life, and participating whole life insurance.

    Quarterly results
(US$ millions)   Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14
Underlying net income (loss)(1)   65   9   45   101   85
  Market related impacts   8   16   (6)   (13)   (34)
  Assumption changes and management actions   (54)   121   (42)   4   19
Operating net income (loss) (1)   19   146   (3)   92   70
Reported net income (loss)   19   146   (3)   92   70
Underlying ROE (%)(1)   9.7   1.3   6.8   15.1   12.0
Operating ROE (%)(1)   2.8   22.0   (0.4)   13.7   9.9
Operating net income (loss) by business unit(1)                    
  Group Benefits(1)   38   (64)   (11)   3   17
  International(1)   2   78   33   36   14
  In-force Management(1)   (21)   132   (25)   53   39
Total operating net income (loss)(1)   19   146   (3)   92   70
                     
(C$ millions)                    
Underlying net income (loss)(1)   81   13   48   111   94
Operating net income (loss)(1)   35   168   (4)   100   77
Reported net income (loss)   35   168   (4)   100   77

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014
SLF U.S.'s reported net income and operating net income were C$35 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to reported net income and operating net income of C$77 million in the first quarter of 2014. There were no operating net income adjustments in SLF U.S. in 2015 or 2014. Underlying net income was C$81 million, compared to C$94 million in the first quarter of 2014. The weakening of the Canadian dollar in the first quarter of 2015 relative to average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014 increased operating net income by $4 million.

In U.S. dollars, SLF U.S.'s reported net income and operating net income were US$19 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to reported net income and operating net income of US$70 million in the first quarter of 2014. Underlying net income was US$65 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to US$85 million in the first quarter of 2014. Underlying net income excludes from operating net income market related impacts and assumption changes and management actions, which are set out in the table above. The favourable effect of market related impacts in the first quarter of 2015 was primarily driven by interest rates, compared to the unfavourable effect in the first quarter of 2014 primarily driven by interest rates. The unfavourable impact of assumption changes and management actions in 2015 were primarily due to a revision to insurance contract liabilities relating to certain universal life products.

Net income in the first quarter of 2015 also reflected favourable morbidity and mortality experience in Group Benefits and net realized gains on the sale of available for sale ("AFS") assets, partially offset by adverse mortality and policyholder behaviour experience in In-force Management.

Net income in the first quarter of 2014 also reflected net realized gains on the sale of AFS assets, partially offset by unfavourable mortality experience in Group Benefits and In-force Management.

Sales in Group Benefits in the first quarter of 2015 decreased 11% compared to the first quarter of 2014, reflecting the impact of price increases. Within Group Benefits, medical stop-loss sales increased 21%.

Sales in International decreased 33% compared to the first quarter of 2014, as we maintained pricing discipline in recognition of the low interest rate environment, and continued to realign our marketing and distribution to focus on select regions, distributors, and customer segments.

MFS Investment Management
MFS is a premier global asset management firm which offers a comprehensive selection of products and services. Drawing on an investment heritage that emphasizes collaboration and integrity, MFS actively manages assets for retail and institutional investors around the world through mutual and commingled funds, separately managed accounts, institutional products, and retirement strategies.

    Quarterly results  
(US$ millions)   Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14  
Underlying net income(1)   135   137   154   133   133  
Operating net income(1)   135   137   154   133   133  
  Fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards   (16)     (28)   (40)   (46)  
Reported net income   119   137   126   93   87  
                       
(C$ millions)                      
Underlying net income(1)   168   156   168   145   147  
Operating net income(1)   168   156   168   145   147  
  Fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards   (20)   1   (31)   (44)   (51)  
Reported net income   148   157   137   101   96  
Pre-tax operating profit margin ratio(2)   40 %   39 %   43 %   40 %   42 %  
Average net assets (US$ billions)(2)   436.4   427.3   434.7   427.9   412.0  
Assets under management (US$ billions)(2)(3)   441.4   431.0   424.8   438.6   420.6  
Gross sales (US$ billions)(2)   22.8   20.5   20.1   19.5   22.4  
Net sales (US$ billions)(2)   (0.2)   (1.9)   (2.0)   1.4   3.7  
Asset appreciation (depreciation) (US$ billions)   10.6   8.1   (11.8)   16.6   4.1  
                       
S&P 500 Index (daily average)   2,064   2,012   1,977   1,879   1,834  
MSCI EAFE Index (daily average)   1,817   1,795   1,924   1,942   1,894  

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure that excludes fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards at MFS. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) Pre-tax operating profit margin ratio, AUM, average net assets, and sales are non-IFRS financial measures. See Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(3) Monthly Information on AUM is provided by MFS on its Corporate Fact Sheet, which can be found in the "About MFS" link for U.S. individual investors at www.mfs.com/wps/portal.

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014
MFS's reported net income was C$148 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to C$96 million in the first quarter of 2014. MFS had operating net income and underlying net income of C$168 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to C$147 million in the first quarter of 2014. Operating net income and underlying net income in MFS exclude the impact of fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards, which is set out in the table above. The weakening of the Canadian dollar in the first quarter of 2015 relative to average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014 increased operating net income by $19 million.

In U.S. dollars, MFS's reported net income was US$119 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to US$87 million in the first quarter of 2014. Operating net income and underlying net income were US$135 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to US$133 million in the first quarter of 2014.

Net income increased in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the same period in 2014 driven primarily by higher average net assets partially offset by higher advertising expense and our continued investment in technological infrastructure. MFS's pre-tax operating profit margin ratio was 40% in the first quarter of 2015, down from 42% in the first quarter of 2014.

Total AUM increased to US$441.4 billion as at March 31, 2015, compared to US$431.0 billion as at December 31, 2014. The increase of US$10.4 billion was primarily driven by gross sales of US$22.8 billion and asset appreciation of US$10.6 billion, partially offset by redemptions of US$23.0 billion. 83%, 95%, and 97% of retail fund assets ranked in the top half of their Lipper categories based on three-, five-, and ten-year performance, respectively, as at March 31, 2015.

SLF Asia
SLF Asia operates through subsidiaries in the Philippines, Hong Kong, and Indonesia, as well as through joint ventures with local partners in the Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam, Malaysia, China, and India. We offer individual life insurance products in all seven markets, and group benefits and/or pension and retirement products in the Philippines, China, Hong Kong, India, Malaysia, and Vietnam. We have also established asset management companies either directly or through joint ventures in the Philippines, China, and India. We distribute these protection and wealth products to middle- and upper-income individuals, groups, and affinity clients through multiple distribution channels.

    Quarterly results
($ millions)   Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14
Underlying net income (loss)(1)   62   50   48   39   37
  Market related impacts   10   (8)   3   (1)   (6)
  Assumption changes and management actions   (4)   20     (1)   1
Operating net income (loss)(1)   68   62   51   37   32
Reported net income (loss)   68   62   51   37   32
Underlying ROE (%)(1)   7.7   6.8   7.1   6.1   6.0
Operating ROE (%)(1)   8.6   8.4   7.5   5.8   5.1

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014
SLF Asia's reported net income and operating net income were $68 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to reported net income and operating net income of $32 million in the first quarter of 2014. There were no operating net income adjustments in SLF Asia in 2015 or 2014. The weakening of the Canadian dollar in the first quarter of 2015 relative to average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014 increased operating net income by $7 million.

Underlying net income was $62 million, compared to $37 million in the first quarter of 2014. Underlying net income excludes from operating net income market related impacts and assumption changes and management actions, which are set out in the table above. The favourable effect of market related impacts in the first quarter of 2015 was primarily driven by equity markets partially offset by interest rates, compared to the unfavourable effect in the first quarter of 2014 primarily driven by interest rates partially offset by equity markets.

Net income in the first quarter of 2015 when compared with the first quarter of 2014 also reflected business growth and net gains on AFS securities in 2015; net income in the first quarter of 2014 reflected net losses on AFS securities.

Total individual insurance sales in the first quarter of 2015 were up 28% from the first quarter of 2014, with growth in all markets except in China and India and the positive impact of currency. Sales increased in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Hong Kong by 43%, 15%, and 22%, respectively, measured in local currency.

Corporate
Corporate includes the results of SLF U.K. and Corporate Support. Corporate Support includes our Run-off reinsurance business as well as investment income, expenses, capital, and other items that have not been allocated to our other business segments. SLF U.K. has a run-off block of business which has been closed to new business and focuses on supporting existing customers.

    Quarterly results
($ millions)   Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14
Underlying net income (loss)(1)   4   (40)   16   9   (48)
  Market related impacts   28   23   (18)   (4)   5
  Assumption changes and management actions   8   19   15   4   3
Operating net income (loss)(1)   40   2   13   9   (40)
  Restructuring and other related costs     (4)   (3)   (11)   (8)
Reported net income (loss)   40   (2)   10   (2)   (48)
Operating net income (loss) by business unit(1)                    
  SLF U.K.(1)   71   65   44   37   28
  Corporate Support(1)   (31)   (63)   (31)   (28)   (68)
Total operating net income (loss)(1)   40   2   13   9   (40)

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Q1 2015 vs. Q1 2014
Corporate had a reported net income of $40 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to a reported net loss of $48 million in the first quarter of 2014. Operating net income was $40 million for the first quarter of 2015, compared to an operating net loss of $40 million in the same period last year. Operating net income (loss) excludes restructuring and other related costs, which is set out in the table above.

Underlying net income was $4 million, compared to underlying net loss of $48 million in the first quarter of 2014. Underlying net income excludes from operating net income market related impacts and assumption changes and management actions, which are set out in the table above. The favourable effect of market related impacts in the first quarter of 2015 was primarily driven by swap spreads and interest rate changes partially offset by equity markets, compared to the favourable effect in the first quarter of 2014 primarily driven by interest rates and equity markets.

SLF U.K.'s operating net income was $71 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $28 million in the first quarter of 2014. SLF U.K.'s net income in the first quarter of 2015 reflected positive market related impacts from swap spreads and interest rate changes partially offset by equity markets. Net income in the first quarter of 2014 reflected unfavourable investing activity in annuities and lapse experience, partially offset by positive credit experience.

Corporate Support had an operating net loss of $31 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to an operating net loss of $68 million in the first quarter of 2014. The decrease in loss was attributable to favourable results in the Run-off reinsurance business, lower interest expense resulting from a reduction in subordinated debt, lower preferred share dividends from a reduction in preferred shares, and tax benefits, and the impact of higher expenses in the first quarter of 2014. 

Additional Financial Disclosure

Revenue

    Quarterly results
($ millions)   Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14
Premiums                    
  Gross   3,723   4,023   4,080   3,758   3,638
  Ceded   (1,516)   (1,322)   (1,385)   (1,386)   (1,410)
Net premium revenue   2,207   2,701   2,695   2,372   2,228
Net investment income                    
  Interest and other investment income   1,279   1,258   1,265   1,230   1,188
  Fair value and foreign currency changes on assets and liabilities   2,495   2,196   495   1,560   1,921
  Net gains (losses) on available-for-sale assets   96   49   48   48   57
Fee income   1,255   1,171   1,111   1,105   1,066
Total revenue   7,332   7,375   5,614   6,315   6,460
Adjusted revenue(1)   5,715   6,261   6,280   5,900   5,700

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure that excludes from revenue the impact of Constant Currency Adjustment, FV Adjustment, and Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment as described in Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Revenue in the first quarter of 2015 was $7.3 billion, compared to $6.5 billion in the first quarter of 2014. The increase is mainly attributable to net gains from changes in fair value of fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") assets and liabilities, currency impact from the weakening Canadian dollar, higher fee income in MFS, and increased net investment income. Net gains on available-for-sale assets increased by $39 million, which was offset within Net investment income by the impact of associated hedges. The weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014 increased revenue by $377 million. Adjusted revenue was $5.7 billion in the first quarter of 2015, largely flat compared to the first quarter of 2014.

Premiums and Deposits

    Quarterly results
($ millions)   Q1'15 Q4'14 Q3'14 Q2'14 Q1'14
Net premium revenue   2,207   2,701   2,695   2,372   2,228
Segregated fund deposits   2,411   2,155   1,907   2,611   2,576
Mutual fund sales(1)   22,124   17,071   14,714   16,267   18,567
Managed fund sales(1)   8,243   7,988   8,170   6,131   7,579
ASO premium and deposit equivalents(1)   1,769   1,855   1,638   1,495   1,760
Total premiums and deposits(1)   36,754   31,770   29,124   28,876   32,710
Total adjusted premiums and deposits(1)(2)   34,426   32,141   30,554   30,232   33,871

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure that excludes from premiums and deposits the impact of Constant Currency Adjustment and Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment as described in Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures and Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Premiums and deposits were $36.8 billion in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $32.7 billion in the first quarter of 2014, primarily due to favourable currency impact. The weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to average exchange rates in the first quarter of 2014 increased total premiums and deposits by approximately $3.5 billion. Adjusted premiums and deposits of $34.4 billion in the first quarter of 2015 increased $0.6 billion from the first quarter of 2014. The increase was mainly the result of higher mutual fund sales in MFS, India, and SLF Canada, partially offset by lower managed fund sales in MFS, decreased net premium revenue in International in SLF U.S., and segregated fund deposits in SLF Canada.

Net premium revenue, which reflects gross premiums less amounts ceded to reinsurers, was $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2015, down slightly from the first quarter of 2014. The decrease was mainly attributable to decreases in International in SLF U.S., partially offset by favourable currency impact and higher net premium revenue from SLF Asia.

Segregated fund deposits were $2.4 billion in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $2.6 billion in the first quarter of 2014. The decrease was largely attributable to decreases in GRS in SLF Canada, partially offset by increases in the Philippines in SLF Asia.

Sales of mutual funds increased $3.6 billion compared to the first quarter of 2014 driven by favourable currency impact and higher sales in MFS and India. Sales of managed funds increased by $0.7 billion in the first quarter of 2015 compared to the first quarter of 2014, primarily driven by favourable currency impact.

ASO premium and deposit equivalents of $1.8 billion in the first quarter of 2015 were largely unchanged from the first quarter of 2014.

Sales
In SLF Canada, life and health sales consist of sales of individual insurance and group benefits products; wealth sales consist of sales of individual wealth products and sales in GRS. In SLF U.S., life and health sales consist of sales by Group Benefits and individual life sales by International; wealth sales consist of investment product sales in International. In SLF Asia, life and health sales consist of the individual and group life and health sales from wholly-owned subsidiaries and joint ventures based on our proportionate equity interest in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, China, Malaysia, and Vietnam; and wealth sales consist of Hong Kong wealth sales, Philippines mutual fund sales, wealth sales from the India and China insurance companies, and Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company's equity and fixed income mutual fund sales based on our proportionate equity interest.

($ millions)     Q1'15     Q1'14
Life and health sales(1)            
  SLF Canada     234     237
  SLF U.S.     85     96
  SLF Asia     129     102
Total life and health sales     448     435
Wealth sales(1)            
  SLF Canada     2,796     4,213
  SLF U.S.     164     211
  SLF Asia     2,188     1,350
Total wealth sales excluding MFS     5,148     5,774
   MFS sales     28,236     24,641
Total wealth sales     33,384     30,415
             
Large case longevity insurance sale(1)(2) - SLF Canada     5,260    

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.
(2) Represents the transfer of longevity risk of BCE Inc.'s Bell Canada pension plan.

Total Company life and health sales were $448 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $435 million in the same period last year.

·SLF Canada life and health sales were $234 million in the first quarter of 2015, slightly lower compared to the first quarter of 2014
·SLF U.S. life and health sales were $85 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $96 million in the first quarter of 2014, primarily driven by lower sales in individual insurance in International, partially offset by favourable currency impact
·SLF Asia life and health sales were $129 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $102 million in the first quarter of 2014, driven by growth in every region except India and a favourable currency impact of $13 million

Total Company wealth sales were $33.4 billion in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $30.4 billion in the first quarter of 2014.

·SLF Canada wealth sales were $2.8 billion in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $4.2 billion in the first quarter of 2014, mainly attributable to lower sales in GRS
·SLF U.S. wealth sales were $164 million in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $211 million in the first quarter of 2014, due to lower investment product sales in International, partially offset by favourable currency impact
·SLF Asia wealth sales were $2.2 billion in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $1.4 billion in the first quarter of 2014, primarily driven by higher fund sales in India and China and favourable currency impact
·MFS gross sales were $28.2 billion in the first quarter of 2015, compared to $24.6 billion in the first quarter of 2014, largely reflecting higher mutual fund sales and favourable currency impact

Assets Under Management
AUM consist of general funds, segregated funds, and other AUM. Other AUM includes mutual funds and managed funds, which include institutional and other third-party assets managed by the Company.

AUM were $812.6 billion as at March 31, 2015, compared to AUM of $734.4 billion as at December 31, 2014. The increase in AUM of $78.2 billion between December 31, 2014 and March 31, 2015 resulted primarily from:

(i)      an increase of $53.4 billion from the weakening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies compared to the prior period exchange rates;
(ii) favourable market movements on the value of mutual funds, managed funds, and segregated funds of $18.5 billion;
(iii) an increase of $2.5 billion from the change in value of FVTPL assets and liabilities;
(iv) other business growth of $2.8 billion; and
(v) net sales of mutual, managed, and segregated funds of $1.0 billion.

Changes in the Statements of Financial Position and in Shareholders' Equity
Total general fund assets were $148.7 billion as at March 31, 2015, compared to $139.4 billion as at December 31, 2014. The increase in general fund assets from December 31, 2014 was primarily a result of positive currency movements of $5.0 billion, a $2.5 billion increase from the change in value of FVTPL assets and liabilities, and business growth of $1.8 billion.

Insurance contract liabilities (excluding other policy liabilities and assets) of $101.8 billion as at March 31, 2015 increased by $6.6 billion compared to December 31, 2014, mainly due to changes in balances on in-force policies (which includes fair value changes on FVTPL assets supporting insurance contract liabilities), currency movements, and balances arising from new policies.

Shareholders' equity, including preferred share capital, was $19.8 billion as at March 31, 2015, compared to $18.7 billion as at December 31, 2014. The increase in shareholders' equity was primarily due to:

(i) shareholders' net income of $467 million in the first quarter of 2015, before preferred share dividends of $26 million;
(ii) an increase of $767 million from the weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to foreign currencies;
(iii) net unrealized gains on AFS assets in OCI of $170 million; and
(iv) proceeds of $21 million from the issuance of common shares through the Canadian dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan, and $20 million from stock options exercised; partially offset by
(v) common share dividend payments of $221 million;
(vi) common share repurchases of $120 million; and
(vii) changes in liabilities for defined benefit plans of $46 million.
   

 As at April 24, 2015, Sun Life Financial Inc. had 612.1 million common shares and 92.2 million preferred shares outstanding.

Cash Flows

      Quarterly results
($ millions)     Q1'15     Q1'14
Net cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period     3,364     3,324
Cash flows provided by (used in):            
  Operating activities     890     167
  Investing activities     (36)     (4)
  Financing activities     (346)     (906)
Changes due to fluctuations in exchange rates     209     91
Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents     717     (652)
Net cash and cash equivalents, end of period     4,081     2,672
Short-term securities, end of period     2,486     3,261
Net cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities, end of period     6,567     5,933

Net cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities were $6.6 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2015, compared to $5.9 billion at the end of the first quarter of 2014.

The operating activities of the Company generate cash flows which include net premium revenue, net investment income, fee income, and the sale of investments. They are the principal source of funds to pay for policyholder claims and benefits, commissions, operating expenses, and the purchase of investments. Cash flows used in investing activities primarily include transactions related to associates and joint ventures. Cash flows used in financing activities largely reflect capital transactions including dividends, the issuance and repurchase of shares, as well as the issuance and retirement of debt instruments and preferred shares.

The higher cash flow used in financing activities in the first quarter of 2014 compared to the first quarter of 2015 was largely due to the redemption of subordinated debt.

Income Taxes
In the first quarter of 2015, our effective tax rates on reported net income and operating net income were 17.1% and 17.6%, respectively. Normally, our effective tax rate is reduced below the statutory rate of 26.5% by a sustainable stream of tax benefits, mainly tax exempt investment income, that is generally expected to decrease the effective tax rate to a range of 18% to 22%.

The effective tax rate calculated on an operating basis excludes amounts attributable to participating policyholders and non-operating items.

Quarterly Financial Results

The following table provides a summary of our results for the eight most recently completed quarters. A more complete discussion of our historical quarterly results can be found in our interim and annual MD&As for the relevant periods.

    Quarterly results
($ millions, unless otherwise noted)   Q1'15   Q4'14   Q3'14   Q2'14   Q1'14   Q4'13   Q3'13   Q2'13
Net income (loss)                                
  Operating(1)   446   511   467   488   454   642   422   431
  Reported   441   502   435   425   400   571   324   391
  Underlying(1)   516   360   517   499   440   375   448   373
Diluted EPS ($)                                
  Operating(1)   0.73   0.83   0.76   0.80   0.74   1.05   0.69   0.71
  Reported   0.72   0.81   0.71   0.69   0.65   0.93   0.53   0.64
  Underlying(1)   0.84   0.59   0.84   0.81   0.72   0.61   0.74   0.62
Basic Reported EPS ($)                                
  Reported   0.72   0.82   0.71   0.70   0.66   0.94   0.53   0.65
Operating net income (loss) by segment(1)                                
  SLF Canada(1)   135   123   239   197   238   137   215   210
  SLF U.S.(1)   35   168   (4)   100   77   341   105   126
  MFS(1)   168   156   168   145   147   156   120   104
  SLF Asia(1)   68   62   51   37   32   42   18   46
  Corporate(1)   40   2   13   9   (40)   (34)   (36)   (55)
Total operating net income (loss)(1)   446   511   467   488   454   642   422   431

(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

Fourth Quarter 2014
Operating net income of $511 million in the fourth quarter of 2014 reflected favourable impact from assumption changes and management actions and gains from investing activity on insurance contract liabilities. These items were partially offset by unfavourable impacts from interest rate changes, mortality and morbidity, lapse and other policyholder behaviour, and expense experience, which mainly consists of compensation-related and other seasonal costs.

Third Quarter 2014
Operating net income of $467 million in the third quarter of 2014 reflected favourable impact from gains from investing activity on insurance contract liabilities, positive credit experience, tax benefits and business growth. These items were partially offset by unfavourable impacts from interest rate changes, mortality and morbidity and expense experience.

Second Quarter 2014
Operating net income of $488 million in the second quarter of 2014 reflected favourable impact from equity markets, gains from investment activity on insurance contract liabilities, positive credit experience and business growth, offset by unfavourable impacts from net interest rates, morbidity experience, and expense experience.

First Quarter 2014
Operating net income of $454 million in the first quarter of 2014 reflected favourable impact from equity markets, gains from investment activity on insurance contract liabilities and positive credit experience, offset by unfavourable impacts from net interest rates, mortality and morbidity experience, lapse and other policyholder behaviour and expense experience.

Fourth Quarter 2013
Operating net income of $642 million in the fourth quarter of 2013 reflected $290 million of income from a management action related to the restructuring of an internal reinsurance arrangement. Net income also reflected favourable impacts from equity markets, interest rates and swap spread movements, and positive fair value movements of real estate. These were partially offset by unfavourable basis risk and credit spread movements. Investment activity on insurance contract liabilities and credit experience were more than offset by unfavourable experience from expenses, comprised mostly of seasonal costs, lapse and other policyholder behaviour, and mortality and morbidity.

Third Quarter 2013
Operating net income was $422 million in the third quarter of 2013. Net income in the third quarter of 2013 reflected favourable impacts from improved equity markets and interest rates and gains from assumption changes driven by capital market movements. These were partially offset by negative impacts from basis risk and credit and swap spread movements. Non-capital market related assumption changes and management actions in the quarter resulted in a $111 million charge to income.

Second Quarter 2013
Operating net income was $431 million in the second quarter of 2013. Net income in the second quarter of 2013 reflected favourable impacts from interest rates and credit spread movements. These gains were partially offset by unfavourable impact of declines in assumed fixed income reinvestment rates in our insurance contract liabilities, and negative impacts of equity markets and swap spread movements. Positive impacts from credit, mortality, and morbidity experience were partially offset by lapse and other policyholder behaviour and other experience factors.

Investments
We had total general fund invested assets of $133.1 billion as at March 31, 2015, compared to $125.2 billion as at December 31, 2014. The increase in general fund invested assets of $7.9 billion was primarily a result of favourable changes in fair value and foreign currency movement. The majority of our general fund is invested in medium- to long-term fixed income instruments, such as debt securities and mortgages and loans, with 85.1% of the general fund invested assets invested in cash and fixed income investments. Equity securities and investment properties represented 4.2% and 4.7% of the portfolio, respectively. The remaining 6.0% of the portfolio consisted of policy loans, derivative assets, and other invested assets.

The following table sets out the coposition of our invested assets.(1)

      March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014
($ millions)     Carrying
value
  % of total
carrying value
  Carrying
value
  % of total
carrying value
Cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities     6,744   5.1 %   6,818   5.4 %
Debt securities – FVTPL     57,176   43.0 %   53,127   42.4 %
Debt securities – AFS     13,537   10.2 %   13,087   10.5 %
Equity securities – FVTPL     4,621   3.5 %   4,357   3.5 %
Equity securities – AFS     930   0.7 %   866   0.7 %
Mortgages and loans     35,727   26.8 %   33,679   26.9 %
Derivative assets     2,378   1.8 %   1,839   1.5 %
Other invested assets     2,686   2.0 %   2,375   1.9 %
Policy loans     3,000   2.2 %   2,895   2.3 %
Investment properties     6,260   4.7 %   6,108   4.9 %
Total invested assets     133,059   100 %   125,151   100 %

(1) The invested asset values and ratios presented are based on the carrying value of the respective asset categories. Carrying values for FVTPL and AFS invested assets are generally equal to fair value. For invested assets supporting insurance contracts, in the event of default, if the amounts recovered are insufficient to satisfy the related insurance contract liability cash flows that the assets are intended to support, credit exposure may be greater than the carrying value of the asset.

Energy Sector Exposure
Our general fund invested assets are well diversified across investment types, geographies, and sectors.

As at March 31, 2015, our exposure to the energy sector for debt securities and corporate loans was $6.2 billion, of which 96.4% is rated investment grade and above. Approximately 43% of our energy sector exposure is invested in pipeline, storage, and transportation entities and 15% is invested in integrated oil and gas entities. The remaining exposure is largely related to companies involved in exploration and production, refining, and drilling and servicing, and includes approximately 7% invested in drilling and oil field services. The revenue of pipeline, storage, and transportation entities generally has limited exposure to direct commodity price volatility as the revenue is usually fee-based. Integrated oil and gas entities are generally large, internationally diversified organizations. 

Our mortgage and real estate portfolio includes office, industrial, retail, and multi-family buildings occupied by tenants representing a diversified group of industries. Our most significant property exposure to the oil and gas segment is located in Alberta, which is less than 20% of our mortgage portfolio and less than 30% of our real estate portfolio. In light of recent developments, we are actively monitoring our energy sector tenants to assess indications of stress.

Debt Securities
Our debt securities portfolio is actively managed through a regular program of purchases and sales aimed at optimizing yield, quality, and liquidity, while ensuring that the asset portfolio remains diversified and well-matched to insurance contract liabilities by duration. As at March 31, 2015, we held $70.7 billion of debt securities, which represented 53.2% of our overall investment portfolio. Debt securities with an investment grade of "A" or higher represented 67.3% of the total debt securities as at March 31, 2015, compared to 67.9% as at December 31, 2014. Debt securities rated "BBB" or higher represented 97.1% of total debt securities as at March 31, 2015, compared to 97.3% as at December 31, 2014.

Corporate debt securities that are not issued or guaranteed by sovereign, regional, and municipal governments represented 67.7% of our total debt securities as at March 31, 2015, compared to 66.7% as at December 31, 2014. Total government issued or guaranteed debt securities as at March 31, 2015 were $22.8 billion, compared to $22.1 billion as at December 31, 2014. Our exposure to debt securities to any single country does not exceed 1% of total invested assets on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at March 31, 2015 with the exception of certain countries where we have business operations, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, and the Philippines. As outlined in the table below, we have an immaterial amount of direct exposure to Eurozone sovereign credits.

Debt Securities of Governments and Financial Institutions by Geography

    March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014
($ millions)   Government issued or
guaranteed
  Financials   Government issued or
guaranteed
  Financials
Canada   15,015   2,094   14,650   2,391
United States   1,553   6,560   1,590   5,992
United Kingdom   2,609   2,029   2,484   1,992
Philippines   2,804   40   2,575   17
Eurozone(1)   168   828   171   762
Other   668   1,528   611   1,390
Total   22,817   13,079   22,081   12,544

(1) Our investments in Eurozone countries primarily include Germany, Netherlands, Spain, France, and Belgium.

Our gross unrealized losses as at March 31, 2015 for FVTPL and AFS debt securities were $0.18 billion and $0.03 billion, respectively, compared with $0.22 billion and $0.04 billion, respectively, as at December 31, 2014.

Our debt securities as at March 31, 2015 included $13.1 billion invested in the financial sector, representing approximately 18.5% of our total debt securities, or 9.8% of our total invested assets. This compares to $12.5 billion, or 18.9%, of the debt security portfolio as at December 31, 2014.

Our debt securities as at March 31, 2015 included $5.0 billion of asset-backed securities reported at fair value, representing approximately 7.1% of our debt securities, or 3.8% of our total invested assets. This compares to $4.4 billion of asset-backed securities as at December 31, 2014.

Mortgages and Loans
Mortgages and loans disclosures in this section are presented at their carrying value on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. As at March 31, 2015, we had a total of $35.7 billion in mortgages and loans compared to $33.7 billion as at December 31, 2014. Our mortgage portfolio, which consists almost entirely of first mortgages, was $14.0 billion. Our loan portfolio, which consists of private placement assets, was $21.7 billion. The carrying value of mortgages and loans by geographic location is set out in the following table. The geographic location for mortgages is based on location of the property, while for loans it is based on the country of the creditor's parent.

Mortgages and Loans by Geography

      March 31, 2015   December 31, 2014
($ millions)     Mortgages   Loans   Total   Mortgages   Loans   Total
Canada     7,996   12,544   20,540   7,847   12,308   20,155
United States     5,998   5,946   11,944   5,563   5,196   10,759
United Kingdom       804   804   1   776   777
Other       2,439   2,439     1,988   1,988
Total     13,994   21,733   35,727   13,411   20,268   33,679

As at March 31, 2015, our mortgage portfolio of $14.0 billion consisted mainly of commercial mortgages, spread across approximately 2,300 loans. Commercial mortgages include retail, office, multi-family, industrial, and land properties. Our commercial portfolio has a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of approximately 54%. The estimated weighted average debt service coverage is 1.69 times, consistent with December 31, 2014. The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation insures 25.1% of the Canadian commercial mortgage portfolio.

As at March 31, 2015, we held $21.7 billion of corporate loans, compared to $20.3 billion as at December 31, 2014. In the current low interest rate environment, our strategy is to continue to focus our efforts on the origination of new private placement assets. Private placement assets provide diversification by type of loan, industry segment, and borrower credit quality. The loan portfolio consists of senior secured and unsecured loans to large and mid-market sized corporate borrowers, securitized lease/loan obligations secured by a variety of assets, and project finance loans in sectors such as power and infrastructure.

Mortgages and Loans Past Due or Impaired

    March 31, 2015
    Gross carrying value     Allowance for losses
($ millions)   Mortgages   Loans   Total     Mortgages     Loans   Total
Not past due   13,879   21,710   35,589          
Past due:                            
  Past due less than 90 days   35     35          
  Past due 90 to 179 days                
  Past due 180 days or more                
Impaired   116   40   156     36 (1)     17   53
Total   14,030   21,750   35,780     36     17   53
    December 31, 2014
    Gross carrying value     Allowance for losses
($ millions)   Mortgages   Loans   Total     Mortgages     Loans   Total
Not past due   13,316   20,248   33,564          
Past due:                            
  Past due less than 90 days   14     14                
  Past due 90 to 179 days                
  Past due 180 days or more                
Impaired   118   36   154     37 (1)     16   53
Total   13,448   20,284   33,732     37     16   53

(1) Includes $19 million of sectoral provisions as at March 31, 2015 and $18 million of sectoral provisions as at December 31, 2014.

Impaired mortgages and loans, net of allowance for losses, amounted to $103 million as at March 31, 2015, compared to $101 million as at December 31, 2014. The net carrying value of impaired mortgages amounted to $80 million as at March 31, 2015, compared to $81 million as at December 31, 2014.

Asset Default Provision
We make provisions for possible future credit events in the determination of our insurance contract liabilities. The amount of the provision for asset default included in insurance contract liabilities is based on possible reductions in future investment yields that vary by factors such as type of asset, asset credit quality (rating), duration, and country of origin. To the extent that an asset is written off, or disposed of, any amounts that were set aside in our insurance contract liabilities for possible future asset defaults in respect of that asset are released.

Our asset default provision reflects the provision relating to future credit events for fixed income assets currently held by the Company that support our insurance contract liabilities. Our asset default provision as at March 31, 2015 was $2,131 million compared to $1,916 million as at December 31, 2014. The increase of $215 million was primarily due to increases in the provision for assets purchased net of dispositions, the depreciation of the Canadian dollar, and the increase in the fair value of assets supporting our insurance contract liabilities, partially offset by the release of provisions on fixed income assets supporting our insurance contract liabilities.

Derivative Financial Instruments
The values of our derivative instruments are set out in the following table. The use of derivatives is measured in terms of notional amounts, which serve as the basis for calculating payments and are generally not actual amounts that are exchanged.

Derivative Instruments

($ millions)     March 31, 2015     December 31, 2014
Net fair value     (293)     236
Total notional amount     50,516     48,211
Credit equivalent amount     726     738
Risk-weighted credit equivalent amount     7     7
             

The total notional amount of derivatives in our portfolio increased to $50.5 billion as at March 31, 2015, from $48.2 billion as at December 31, 2014. This increase was primarily attributable to increases in interest rate contracts and currency contracts. The net fair value of derivatives decreased to a net liability of $293 million as at March 31, 2015, from a net asset value of $236 million as at December 31, 2014. This decrease was primarily due to a decrease in the fair value of our foreign exchange portfolio as a result of the depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar. The decrease was partially offset by an increase in fair value on our interest rate portfolio due to a decline in yield curves.

Capital Management
Our total capital consists of subordinated debt and other capital, participating policyholders' equity, and total shareholders' equity which includes common shareholders' equity and preferred shareholders' equity. As at March 31, 2015, our total capital was $22.8 billion, up from $21.7 billion as at December 31, 2014. The increase in total capital was primarily the result of common shareholders' net income of $441 million and other comprehensive income of $894 million, partially offset by the $120 million of common share purchases under our normal course issuer bid and $200 million of common shareholders' dividends (net of the Canadian dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan).

The legal entity, SLF Inc. (the ultimate parent company), and its wholly owned holding companies had $1,718 million in cash and other liquid assets as at March 31, 2015 ($1,827 million as at December 31, 2014). The decrease in liquid assets held in SLF Inc. in the first quarter of 2015 was primarily attributable to common share repurchases during the quarter. Liquid assets as noted above include cash and cash equivalents, short-term investments, and publicly traded securities, and exclude cash from short-term loans.

Sun Life Assurance's MCCSR ratio was 216% as at March 31, 2015, compared to 217% as at December 31, 2014. The slight decrease to the MCCSR ratio over the period primarily resulted from market movements. The changes in the 2015 MCCSR Guideline, effective in the first quarter of 2015, did not have a significant impact on Sun Life Assurance.

Normal Course Issuer Bid
On November 10, 2014, SLF Inc. launched a normal course issuer bid under which it is authorized to purchase up to 9 million common shares between November 10, 2014 and November 9, 2015. During the first quarter of 2015, SLF Inc. purchased and cancelled approximately 3 million common shares at a total cost of $120 million.

Risk Management
We use an enterprise Risk Management Framework to assist in categorizing, monitoring, and managing the risks to which we are exposed. The major categories of risk are credit risk, market risk, insurance risk, operational risk, liquidity risk, and business risk. Operational risk is a broad category that includes legal and regulatory risks, people risks, and systems and processing risks.

Through our ongoing enterprise risk management procedures, we review the various risk factors identified in the Framework and report to senior management and to the Risk Review Committee of the Board at least quarterly. Our enterprise risk management procedures and risk factors are described in our annual MD&A and AIF.

When referring to segregated funds in this section, it is inclusive of segregated fund guarantees, variable annuities, and investment products and includes Run-off reinsurance in our Corporate business segment.

Market Risk Sensitivities
Our earnings are affected by the determination of policyholder obligations under our annuity and insurance contracts. These amounts are determined using internal valuation models and are recorded in our Consolidated Financial Statements, primarily as Insurance contract liabilities. The determination of these obligations requires management to make assumptions about the future level of equity market performance, interest rates, credit and swap spreads, and other factors over the life of our products. Differences between our actual experience and our best estimate assumptions are reflected in our Consolidated Financial Statements.

The market value of our investments in fixed income and equity securities fluctuates based on movements in interest rates and equity markets. The market value of fixed income assets designated as AFS that are held primarily in our surplus segment increases (decreases) with declining (rising) interest rates. The market value of equities designated as AFS and held primarily in our surplus segment increases (decreases) with rising (declining) equity markets. Changes in the market value of AFS assets flow through OCI and are only recognized in net income when realized upon sale, or when considered impaired. The amount of realized gains (losses) recorded in net income in any period is equal to the initial unrealized gains (losses) or OCI position at the start of the period plus the change in market value during the current period up to the point of sale for those securities that were sold during the period. The sale or impairment of AFS assets held in surplus can therefore have the effect of modifying our net income sensitivity.

We realized $96 million (pre-tax) in net gains on the sale of AFS assets during the first quarter of 2015 ($57 million pre-tax in the first quarter of 2014). The net unrealized gains or OCI position on AFS fixed income and equity assets were $464 million and $254 million, respectively, after-tax as at March 31, 2015 ($340 million and $208 million, respectively, after-tax as at December 31, 2014). 

The following table sets out the estimated immediate impact on or sensitivity of our net income, our OCI, and Sun Life Assurance's MCCSR ratio to certain instantaneous changes in interest rates and equity market prices as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

Interest Rate and Equity Market Sensitivities

As at March 31, 2015(1)

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

             
Interest rate sensitivity(2)(6)     100 basis point
decrease
    50 basis point
decrease
    50 basis point
increase
    100 basis point
increase
  Potential impact on net income(3)(6)   $ (300)   $ (100)   $ 50   $ 50
  Potential impact on OCI   $ 500   $ 250   $ (250)   $ (500)
  Potential impact on MCCSR(4)     12% points
decrease
    5% points
decrease
    5% points
increase
    9% points
increase
Equity markets sensitivity(5)     25% decrease     10% decrease     10% increase     25% increase
  Potential impact on net income(3)   $ (300)   $ (100)   $ 100   $ 200
  Potential impact on OCI   $ (150)   $ (50)   $ 50   $ 150
  Potential impact on MCCSR(4)     5% points
decrease
    1% points
decrease
    1% points
increase
    2% points
increase

As at December 31, 2014(1)

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

               
Interest rate sensitivity(2)(6)     100 basis point
decrease
    50 basis point
decrease
    50 basis point
increase
    100 basis point
increase
  Potential impact on net income(3)(6)   $ (400)   $ (100)   $ 50   $ 100
  Potential impact on OCI   $ 500   $ 250   $ (250)   $ (500)
  Potential impact on MCCSR(4)     12% points
decrease
    5% points
decrease
    4% points
increase
    8% points
increase
Equity markets sensitivity(5)     25% decrease     10% decrease     10% increase     25% increase
  Potential impact on net income(3)   $ (250)   $ (50)   $ 50   $ 150
  Potential impact on OCI   $ (150)   $ (50)   $ 50   $ 150
  Potential impact on MCCSR(4)     5% points
decrease
    1% points
decrease
    1% points
increase
    1% points
increase
(1) Net income and OCI sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $50 million.
(2)  Interest rate sensitivities assume a parallel shift in assumed interest rates across the entire yield curve as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Variations in realized yields based on factors such as different terms to maturity and geographies may result in realized sensitivities being significantly different from those illustrated above. Sensitivities include the impact of re-balancing interest rate hedges for segregated funds at 10 basis point intervals (for 50 basis point changes in interest rates) and at 20 basis point intervals (for 100 basis point changes in interest rates).
(3) The market risk sensitivities include the estimated mitigation impact of our hedging programs in effect as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, and include new business added and product changes implemented prior to such dates.
(4) The MCCSR sensitivities illustrate the impact on Sun Life Assurance as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. This excludes the impact on assets and liabilities that are in SLF Inc. but not included in Sun Life Assurance. MCCSR sensitivities as at December 31, 2014 reflect the impact of IAS 19 Employee Benefits and its phase-in impact on available capital.
(5) Represents the respective change across all equity markets as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Assumes that actual equity exposures consistently and precisely track the broader equity markets. Since in actual practice equity-related exposures generally differ from broad market indices (due to the impact of active management, basis risk, and other factors), realized sensitivities may differ significantly from those illustrated above. Sensitivities include the impact of re-balancing equity hedges for segregated funds at 2% intervals (for 10% changes in equity markets) and at 5% intervals (for 25% changes in equity markets).
(6) The majority of interest rate sensitivity, after hedging, is attributed to individual insurance products. We also have interest rate sensitivity, after hedging, from our fixed annuity and segregated funds products.

Our net income sensitivity to interest rate declines has decreased since December 31, 2014. This is the result of an improvement in the measurement of the sensitivity, partially offset by an increase in sensitivity due to the decline in the level of interest rates over the first quarter.

Credit Spread and Swap Spread Sensitivities
We have estimated the immediate impact or sensitivity of our reported net income attributable to certain instantaneous changes in credit and swap spreads. The credit spread sensitivities reflect the impact of changes in credit spreads on our asset and liability valuations (including non-sovereign fixed income assets, provincial governments, corporate bonds, and other fixed income assets). The swap spread sensitivities reflect the impact of changes in swap spreads on swap-based derivative positions and liability valuations.

Credit Spread Sensitivities ($ millions, after-tax)

 

Net income sensitivity(1)(2) 50 basis point decrease 50 basis point increase
March 31, 2015 (125) 125
December 31, 2014 (100) 125

 

(1) Sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $25 million.
(2) In most instances, credit spreads are assumed to revert to long-term insurance contract liability assumptions generally over a five-year period.

Swap Spread Sensitivities ($ millions, after-tax)

 

Net income sensitivity(1) 20 basis point decrease 20 basis point increase
March 31, 2015 75 (75)
December 31, 2014 75 (75)

 

(1) Sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $25 million.

The credit and swap spread sensitivities assume a parallel shift in the indicated spreads (i.e., equal shift across the entire spread term structure). Variations in realized spread changes based on different terms to maturity, geographies, asset class/derivative types, underlying interest rate movements, and ratings may result in realized sensitivities being significantly different from those provided above. The credit spread sensitivity estimates exclude any credit spread impact that may arise in connection with asset positions held in segregated funds. Spread sensitivities are provided for the consolidated entity and may not be proportional across all reporting segments. Refer to the section Additional Cautionary Language and Key Assumptions Related to Sensitivities for important additional information regarding these estimates.

General Account Insurance and Annuity Products
Most of our expected sensitivity to interest rate risk is derived from our general account insurance and annuity products. We have implemented market risk management strategies to mitigate a portion of the market risk related to our general account insurance and annuity products.

Individual insurance products include universal life and other long-term life and health insurance products. Major sources of market risk exposure for individual insurance products include the reinvestment risk related to future premiums on regular premium policies, asset reinvestment risk on both regular premium and single premium policies, and the guaranteed cost of insurance. Interest rate risk for individual insurance products is typically managed on a duration basis, within tolerance ranges set out in the applicable investment policy or guidelines. Targets and limits are established so that the level of residual exposure is commensurate with our risk appetite. Exposures are monitored frequently, and assets are re-balanced as necessary to maintain compliance within policy limits using a combination of assets and derivative instruments. A portion of the longer-term cash flows are backed with equities and real estate.

For participating insurance products and other insurance products with adjustability features, the investment strategy objective is to provide a total rate of return given a constant risk profile over the long term.

Fixed annuity products generally provide the policyholder with a guaranteed investment return or crediting rate. Interest rate risk for these products is typically managed on a duration basis, within tolerance ranges set out in the applicable investment guidelines. Targets and limits are established such that the level of residual exposure is commensurate with our risk appetite. Exposures are monitored frequently, and are re-balanced as necessary to maintain compliance within prescribed tolerances using a combination of fixed income assets and derivative instruments.

Certain insurance and annuity products contain minimum interest rate guarantees. Market risk management strategies are implemented to limit potential financial loss due to reductions in asset earned rates relative to contract guarantees. These typically involve the use of hedging strategies utilizing interest rate derivatives such as interest rate floors, swaps, and swaptions.

Certain insurance and annuity products contain features which allow the policyholders to surrender their policy at book value. Market risk management strategies are implemented to limit the potential financial loss due to changes in interest rate levels and policyholder behaviour. These typically involve the use of hedging strategies such as dynamic option replication and the purchase of interest rate swaptions.

Certain products have guaranteed minimum annuitization rates. Market risk management strategies are implemented to limit the potential financial loss and typically involve the use of fixed income asset, interest rate swaps, and swaptions.

Segregated Fund Guarantees
Approximately one half of our expected sensitivity to equity market risk and a small amount of interest rate risk sensitivity is derived from segregated fund products. These products provide benefit guarantees, which are linked to underlying fund performance and may be triggered upon death, maturity, withdrawal, or annuitization. The cost of providing for the guarantees in respect of our segregated fund contracts is uncertain and will depend upon a number of factors including general capital market conditions, our hedging strategies, policyholder behaviour, and mortality experience, each of which may result in negative impacts on net income and capital.

The following table provides information with respect to the guarantees provided in our segregated fund businesses.

As at March 31, 2015
($ millions) Fund value Amount at Risk(1)

Value of

 guarantees(2)

Insurance contract

 liabilities(3)

 
SLF Canada 13,382 142 11,140 364  
SLF U.S. 5,622 270 5,646 114  
Run-off reinsurance(4) 3,058 540 2,153 578  
Total 22,062 952 18,939 1,056  
           
As at December 31, 2014  
($ millions) Fund value Amount at Risk(1)

Value of

 guarantees(2)

Insurance contract

 liabilities(3)

 
SLF Canada 13,039 217 11,202 273  
SLF U.S. 5,194 259 5,236 96  
Run-off reinsurance(4) 2,800 501 1,999 526  
Total 21,033 977 18,437 895  

(1)   The Amount at Risk represents the excess of the value of the guarantees over fund values on all policies where the value of the guarantees exceeds the fund value. The Amount at Risk is not currently payable as the guarantees are only payable upon death, maturity, withdrawal, or annuitization if fund values remain below guaranteed values.
(2)  For guaranteed lifetime withdrawal benefits, the value of guarantees is calculated as the present value of the maximum future withdrawals assuming market conditions remain unchanged from current levels. For all other benefits, the value of guarantees is determined assuming 100% of the claims are made at the valuation date.
(3) The insurance contract liabilities represent management's provision for future costs associated with these guarantees and include a provision for adverse deviation in accordance with Canadian actuarial standards of practice.
(4) The Run-off reinsurance business includes risks assumed through reinsurance of variable annuity products issued by various North American insurance companies between 1997 and 2001. This line of business is part of a closed block of reinsurance, which is included in the Corporate segment.

The movement of the items in the table above from December 31, 2014 to March 31, 2015 was primarily as a result of the following factors:

(i)         fund values increased due to favourable equity market movements and the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar, partially offset by the natural run-off of the block;
(ii)         the Amount at Risk decreased due to favourable equity market movements, partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar;
(iii)        the total value of guarantees increased mainly due to the weakening of the Canadian dollar, partially offset by the natural run-off of the block; and
(iv)        insurance contract liabilities increased due to unfavourable interest rate movement and the weakening of the Canadian dollar, partially offset by favourable equity market movements.

Segregated Fund Hedging         
We have implemented hedging programs, involving the use of derivative instruments, to mitigate a portion of the cost of interest rate and equity market-related volatility in providing for segregated fund guarantees. As at March 31, 2015, over 90% of our segregated fund contracts, as measured by associated fund values, were included in a hedging program. While a large percentage of contracts are included in the hedging program, not all of our equity and interest rate exposure related to these contracts is hedged. For those segregated fund contracts included in the hedging program, we generally hedge the value of expected future net claims costs and a portion of the policy fees as we are primarily focused on hedging the expected economic costs associated with providing these guarantees and we do not hedge the value of other fee streams that do not relate to costs of hedging of guarantees.

The following table illustrates the impact of our hedging program related to our sensitivity to a 50 basis point and 100 basis point decrease in interest rates and 10% and 25% decrease in equity markets for segregated fund contracts as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014.

 Impact of Segregated Fund Hedging

March 31, 2015
($ millions) Changes in interest rates(3) Changes in equity markets(4)    
Net income sensitivity(1)(2)

50 basis point

 decrease

100 basis point

 decrease

10% decrease 25% decrease    
Before hedging (200) (450) (200) (550)    
Hedging impact 200 450 150 450    
Net of hedging (50) (100)    
           
December 31, 2014
($ millions) Changes in interest rates(3) Changes in equity markets(4)    
Net income sensitivity(1)(2)

50 basis

point decrease

100 basis

point decrease

10% decrease 25% decrease    
Before hedging (200) (400) (150) (500)    
Hedging impact 200 400 150 400    
Net of hedging (100)    

(1)  Net income sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $50 million.
(2)   Since the fair value of benefits being hedged will generally differ from the financial statement value (due to different valuation methods and the inclusion of valuation margins in respect of financial statement values), this will result in residual volatility to interest rate and equity market shocks in reported income and capital. The general availability and cost of these hedging instruments may be adversely impacted by a number of factors, including volatile and declining equity and interest rate market conditions.
(3)  Represents a parallel shift in assumed interest rates across the entire yield curve as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Variations in realized yields based on factors such as different terms to maturity and geographies may result in realized sensitivities being significantly different from those illustrated above. Sensitivities include the impact of re-balancing interest rate hedges for segregated funds at 10 basis point intervals (for 50 basis point changes in interest rates) and at 20 basis point intervals (for 100 basis point changes in interest rates).
(4) Represents the change across all equity markets as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Assumes that actual equity exposures consistently and precisely track the broader equity markets. Since in actual practice equity-related exposures generally differ from broad market indices (due to the impact of active management, basis risk, and other factors), realized sensitivities may differ significantly from those illustrated above. Sensitivities include the impact of re-balancing equity hedges for segregated funds at 2% intervals (for 10% changes in equity markets) and at 5% intervals (for 25% changes in equity markets).

Real Estate Risk
We are exposed to real estate risk arising from fluctuations in the value of, or future cash flows on, real estate classified as investment properties. We may experience financial losses resulting from the direct ownership of real estate investments or indirectly through fixed income investments secured by real estate property, leasehold interests, ground rents, and purchase and leaseback transactions. Real estate price risk may arise from external market conditions, inadequate property analysis, inadequate insurance coverage, inappropriate real estate appraisals, or from environmental risk exposures. We hold direct real estate investments that support general account liabilities and surplus, and fluctuations in value will impact our profitability and financial position. An instantaneous 10% decrease in the value of our direct real estate investments as at March 31, 2015 would decrease net income by approximately $150 million ($150 million decrease as at December 31, 2014). Conversely, an instantaneous 10% increase in the value of our direct real estate investments as at March 31, 2015 would increase net income by approximately $150 million ($150 million increase as at December 31, 2014).

Additional Cautionary Language and Key Assumptions Related to Sensitivities
Our market risk sensitivities are measures of our estimated change in net income and OCI for changes in interest rates and equity market price levels described above, based on interest rates, equity market prices, and business mix in place as at the respective calculation dates. These sensitivities are calculated independently for each risk factor, generally assuming that all other risk variables stay constant. The sensitivities do not take into account indirect effects such as potential impacts on goodwill impairment or valuation allowances on deferred tax assets. The sensitivities are provided for the consolidated entity and may not be proportional across all reporting segments. Actual results can differ materially from these estimates for a variety of reasons, including differences in the pattern or distribution of the market shocks, the interaction between these risk factors, model error, or changes in other assumptions such as business mix, effective tax rates, policyholder behaviour, currency exchange rates, and other market variables relative to those underlying the calculation of these sensitivities. The potential extent to which actual results may differ from the indicative ranges will generally increase with larger capital market movements. Our sensitivities as at December 31, 2014 have been included for comparative purposes only.

We have also provided measures of our net income sensitivity to instantaneous changes in credit spreads, swap spreads, real estate price levels, and capital sensitivities to changes in interest rates and equity price levels. The real estate sensitivities are non-IFRS financial measures. For additional information, see Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures. The cautionary language which appears in this section is also applicable to the credit spread, swap spread, real estate, and MCCSR ratio sensitivities. In particular, these sensitivities are based on interest rates, credit and swap spreads, equity market, and real estate price levels as at the respective calculation dates and assume that all other risk variables remain constant. Changes in interest rates, credit and swap spreads, equity market, and real estate prices in excess of the ranges illustrated may result in other-than-proportionate impacts.

As these market risk sensitivities reflect an instantaneous impact on net income, OCI, and Sun Life Assurance's MCCSR ratio, they do not include impacts over time such as the effect on fee income in our asset management businesses.

The sensitivities reflect the composition of our assets and liabilities as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014. Changes in these positions due to new sales or maturities, asset purchases/sales, or other management actions could result in material changes to these reported sensitivities. In particular, these sensitivities reflect the expected impact of hedging activities based on the hedge programs in place as at the March 31 and December 31 calculation dates. The actual impact of these hedging activities can differ materially from that assumed in the determination of these indicative sensitivities due to ongoing hedge re-balancing activities, changes in the scale or scope of hedging activities, changes in the cost or general availability of hedging instruments, basis risk (i.e., the risk that hedges do not exactly replicate the underlying portfolio experience), model risk, and other operational risks in the ongoing management of the hedge programs or the potential failure of hedge counterparties to perform in accordance with expectations.

The sensitivities are based on methods and assumptions in effect as at March 31, 2015 and December 31, 2014, as applicable. Changes in the regulatory environment, accounting or actuarial valuation methods, models, or assumptions after this date could result in material changes to these reported sensitivities. Changes in interest rates and equity market prices in excess of the ranges illustrated may result in other than proportionate impacts.

Our hedging programs may themselves expose us to other risks, including basis risk (i.e., the risk that hedges do not exactly replicate the underlying portfolio experience), derivative counterparty credit risk, and increased levels of liquidity risk, model risk, and other operational risks. These factors may adversely impact the net effectiveness, costs, and financial viability of maintaining these hedging programs and therefore adversely impact our profitability and financial position. While our hedging programs include various elements aimed at mitigating these effects (e.g., hedge counterparty credit risk is managed by maintaining broad diversification, dealing primarily with highly rated counterparties, and transacting through International Swaps and Derivatives Association agreements that generally include applicable credit support annexes), residual risk and potential reported earnings and capital volatility remain.

For the reasons outlined above, these sensitivities should only be viewed as directional estimates of the underlying sensitivities of each factor under these specialized assumptions, and should not be viewed as predictors of our future net income, OCI, and capital sensitivities. Given the nature of these calculations, we cannot provide assurance that actual impact will be consistent with the estimates provided.

Information related to market risk sensitivities and guarantees related to segregated fund products should be read in conjunction with the information contained in the Outlook, Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates, and Risk Management sections in our annual MD&A and in the Risk Factors and Regulatory Matters sections in our AIF.

 

Legal and Regulatory Matters
Information concerning legal and regulatory matters is provided in our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, annual MD&A, and AIF, for the year ended December 31, 2014.

 

Changes in Accounting Policies
We have not adopted any new and amended IFRS in the current period ended March 31, 2015.

 

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting
Management is responsible for establishing and maintaining adequate internal control over financial reporting to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of the Company's financial reporting and the preparation of its financial statements in accordance with IFRS.

There were no changes in the Company's internal control over financial reporting during the period which began on January 1, 2015 and ended on March 31, 2015 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

 

Reconciliation of Non-IFRS Financial Measures
Additional information on the use of non-IFRS measures, including the definition of operating net income (loss) and underlying net income (loss), is available in this document under the heading Use of Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

The following table sets out the amounts that were excluded from our operating net income (loss), underlying net income (loss), operating EPS, and underlying EPS, and provides a reconciliation to our reported net income (loss) and EPS based on IFRS.

Reconciliations of Select Net Income Measures

  Quarterly results
($ millions, unless otherwise noted) Q1'15 Q4'14 Q3'14 Q2'14 Q1'14
Reported Net income 441 502 435 425 400
  Impact of certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting 15 (6) 2 (8) 5
  Fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards at MFS (20) 1 (31) (44) (51)
  Restructuring and other related costs (4) (3) (11) (8)
Operating net income (loss) 446 511 467 488 454
  Market related impacts (22) (21) (54) (22) (26)
  Assumption changes and management actions (48) 172 4 11 40
Underlying net income (loss) 516 360 517 499 440
Reported EPS (diluted) ($) 0.72 0.81 0.71 0.69 0.65
  Impact of certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting ($) 0.02 (0.01) (0.01) 0.01
  Fair value adjustments on share-based payment awards at MFS ($) (0.03) (0.05) (0.07) (0.08)
  Restructuring and other related costs ($) (0.01) (0.02) (0.01)
  Impact of convertible securities on diluted EPS ($) (0.01) (0.01)
Operating EPS (diluted) ($) 0.73 0.83 0.76 0.80 0.74
  Market related impacts ($) (0.03) (0.04) (0.09) (0.03) (0.04)
  Assumption changes and management actions ($) (0.08) 0.28 0.01 0.02 0.06
Underlying EPS (diluted) ($) 0.84 0.59 0.84 0.81 0.72

Management also uses the following non-IFRS financial measures:

Return on equity. IFRS does not prescribe the calculation of ROE and therefore a comparable measure under IFRS is not available. To determine operating ROE and underlying ROE, operating net income (loss) and underlying net income (loss) are divided by the total weighted average common shareholders' equity for the period, respectively.

Adjusted revenue. This measure excludes from revenue the impact of: (i) exchange rate fluctuations, from the translation of functional currencies to the Canadian dollar, for comparisons ("Constant Currency Adjustment"); (ii) Fair value and foreign currency changes on assets and liabilities ("FV Adjustment"); and (iii) reinsurance for the insured business in SLF Canada's GB operations ("Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment"). Adjusted revenue is an alternative measure of revenue that provides greater comparability across reporting periods.

  Quarterly results
($ millions) Q1'15 Q4'14 Q3'14 Q2'14 Q1'14
Revenues 7,332 7,375 5,614 6,315 6,460
  Constant Currency Adjustment 307 72 (31) (25)
  FV Adjustment 2,495 2,196 495 1,560 1,921
  Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment (1,185) (1,154) (1,130) (1,120) (1,161)
Adjusted revenue 5,715 6,261 6,280 5,900 5,700

Adjusted premiums and deposits. This measure adjusts premiums and deposits for the impact of: (i) the Constant Currency Adjustment and (ii) the Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment. Adjusted premiums and deposits is an alternative measure of premiums and deposits that provides greater comparability across reporting periods.  
 

  Quarterly results
($ millions) Q1'15 Q4'14 Q3'14 Q2'14 Q1'14
Premiums and deposits 36,754 31,770 29,124 28,876 32,710
  Constant Currency Adjustment 3,513 783 (300) (236)
  Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment (1,185) (1,154) (1,130) (1,120) (1,161)
Adjusted premiums and deposits 34,426 32,141 30,554 30,232 33,871

Pre-tax operating profit margin ratio for MFS. This ratio is a measure of the underlying profitability of MFS, which excludes certain investment income and commission expenses that are offsetting. These amounts are excluded in order to neutralize the impact these items have on the pre-tax operating profit margin ratio, as they are offsetting in nature and have no impact on the underlying profitability of MFS.

Impact of foreign exchange. Several IFRS financial measures are presented on a constant currency adjusted basis to exclude the impact of foreign exchange rate fluctuations. These measures are calculated using the average or period end foreign exchange rates, as appropriate, in effect at the date of the comparative period.

Real estate market sensitivities. Real estate market sensitivities are non-IFRS financial measures for which there are no directly comparable measures under IFRS so it is not possible to provide a reconciliation of these amounts to the most directly comparable IFRS measures.

Other. Management also uses the following non-IFRS financial measures for which there are no comparable financial measures in IFRS: (i) ASO premium and deposit equivalents, mutual fund sales, managed fund sales, life and health sales, and total premiums and deposits; (ii) AUM, mutual fund assets, managed fund assets, other AUM, and assets under administration; (iii) the value of new business, which is used to measure the estimated lifetime profitability of new sales and is based on actuarial calculations; and (iv) assumption changes and management actions, which is a component of our sources of earnings disclosure. Sources of earnings is an alternative presentation of our Consolidated Statements of Operations that identifies and quantifies various sources of income. The Company is required to disclose its sources of earnings by its principal regulator, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions.

 

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 (i) statements relating to our strategies, (ii) statements that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, and (iii) statements that include words such as "aim", "anticipate", "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. 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 this document under the headings Capital Management and Risk Management and in SLF Inc.'s 2014 AIF under the headings Risk Factors and the factors detailed in SLF Inc.'s other filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, which are available for review at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov, respectively.

Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to: business risks - economic and geo-political risks; risks in implementing business strategies; changes in legislation and regulations, including capital requirements and tax laws; the inability to maintain strong distribution channels and risks relating to market conduct by intermediaries and agents; risks relating to operations in Asia, including the Company's joint ventures; the impact of competition; the performance of the Company's investments and investment portfolios managed for clients such as segregated and mutual funds; market conditions that affect the Company's capital position or its ability to raise capital; downgrades in financial strength or credit ratings; risks relating to estimates and judgments used in calculating taxes; the impact of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; the ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures; risks relating to the closed block of business; market, credit, and liquidity risks - the performance of equity markets; credit risks related to issuers of securities held in our investment portfolio, debtors, structured securities, reinsurers, derivative counterparties, other financial institutions, and other entities; changes or volatility in interest rates or credit spreads or swap spreads; fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; risks relating to real estate investments; risks relating to market liquidity;  insurance risks - risks relating to the rate of mortality improvement; risks relating to policyholder behaviour; risks relating to product design and pricing; risks relating to mortality and morbidity, including the occurrence of natural or man-made disasters, pandemic diseases, and acts of terrorism; the impact of higher-than-expected future expenses; the availability, cost, and effectiveness of reinsurance; operational risks - breaches or failure of information system security and privacy, including cyber terrorism; risks relating to our information technology infrastructure; failure of information systems and Internet-enabled technology; the ability to attract and retain employees; legal and regulatory proceedings, including inquiries and investigations; risks relating to financial modelling errors; business continuity risks; dependence on third-party relationships, including outsourcing arrangements; and risks relating to the environment, environmental laws and regulations, and third-party policies.

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.

Earnings Conference Call
The Company's first quarter 2015 financial results will be reviewed at a conference call on Wednesday, May 6, 2015, at 1:00 p.m. ET. To listen to the call via live audio webcast and to view the presentation slides, as well as related information, please visit www.sunlife.com and click on the link to Quarterly reports under Investors – Financial results & reports 10 minutes prior to the start of the call. Individuals participating in the call in a listen-only mode are encouraged to connect via our webcast. Following the call, the webcast and presentation will be archived and made available on the Company's website, www.sunlife.com, until Q1 2016 period end. The conference call can also be accessed by phone by dialing 647-788-4901 (International) or 1-877-201-0168 (Toll free North America).

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

   
  For the three months ended
(unaudited, in millions of Canadian dollars except for per share amounts) March 31,
 2015
March 31,
 2014
Revenue        
  Premiums        
    Gross   $ 3,723   $ 3,638
    Less: Ceded   1,516   1,410
  Net premiums   2,207   2,228
  Net investment income (loss):        
    Interest and other investment income   1,279   1,188
    Fair value and foreign currency changes on assets and liabilities   2,495   1,921
    Net gains (losses) on available-for-sale assets   96   57
  Net investment income (loss)   3,870   3,166
  Fee income   1,255   1,066
Total revenue   7,332   6,460
         
Benefits and expenses        
  Gross claims and benefits paid   3,430   3,203
  Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities   3,148   2,229
  Decrease (increase) in reinsurance assets   (193)   54
  Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities   12   31
  Reinsurance expenses (recoveries)   (1,453)   (1,325)
  Commissions   492   440
  Net transfer to (from) segregated funds   17   7
  Operating expenses   1,180   1,123
  Premium taxes   70   61
  Interest expense   72   87
Total benefits and expenses   6,775   5,910
Income (loss) before income taxes   557   550
  Less: Income tax expense (benefit)   95   117
Total net income (loss)   462   433
  Less: Net income (loss) attributable to participating policyholders   (5)   4
Shareholders' net income (loss)   467   429
  Less: Preferred shareholders' dividends   26   29
Common shareholders' net income (loss)   $ 441   $ 400
           
Earnings (loss) per share          
  Basic   $ 0.72   $ 0.66  
  Diluted   $ 0.72   $ 0.65  

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

     
    As at
(unaudited, in millions of Canadian dollars)  

March 31,

 2015

 

December 31,

 2014

 
Assets        
  Cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities   $ 6,744     $ 6,818  
  Debt securities   70,713     66,214  
  Equity securities   5,551     5,223  
  Mortgages and loans   35,727     33,679  
  Derivative assets   2,378     1,839  
  Other invested assets   2,686     2,375  
  Policy loans   3,000     2,895  
  Investment properties   6,260     6,108  
  Invested assets   133,059     125,151  
  Other assets   4,052     3,429  
  Reinsurance assets   4,583     4,042  
  Deferred tax assets   1,280     1,230  
  Property and equipment   577     555  
  Intangible assets   932     895  
  Goodwill   4,242     4,117  
  Total general fund assets   148,725     139,419  
  Investments for account of segregated fund holders   89,667     83,938  
Total assets   $ 238,392     $ 223,357  
Liabilities and equity        
Liabilities        
  Insurance contract liabilities   $ 107,966     $ 101,228  
  Investment contract liabilities   2,864     2,819  
  Derivative liabilities   2,671     1,603  
  Deferred tax liabilities   217     155  
  Other liabilities   10,071     9,725  
  Senior debentures   2,849     2,849  
  Subordinated debt   2,184     2,168  
  Total general fund liabilities   128,822     120,547  
  Insurance contracts for account of segregated fund holders   81,821     76,736  
  Investment contracts for account of segregated fund holders   7,846     7,202  
Total liabilities   $ 218,489     $ 204,485  
         
Equity        
  Issued share capital and contributed surplus   $ 10,804     $ 10,805  
  Retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income   9,099     8,067  
Total equity   $ 19,903     $ 18,872  
Total liabilities and equity   $ 238,392     $ 223,357  

 

About Sun Life Financial
Celebrating 150 years in 2015, Sun Life Financial is a leading international financial services organization providing a diverse range of protection and wealth products and services to individuals and corporate customers. Sun Life Financial and its partners have operations in a number of markets worldwide, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Hong Kong, the Philippines, Japan, Indonesia, India, China, Australia, Singapore, Vietnam, Malaysia and Bermuda. As of March 31, 2015, the Sun Life Financial group of companies had total assets under management of $813 billion. For more information please visit www.sunlife.com.

Sun Life Financial Inc. trades on the Toronto (TSX), New York (NYSE) and Philippine (PSE) stock exchanges under the ticker symbol SLF.

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.

 

%CIK: 0001097362

 

For further information: Media Relations Contact: Frank Switzer, Vice-President, Corporate Communications, Tel: 416-979-4086, frank.switzer@sunlife.com; Investor Relations Contact: Gregory Dilworth, Vice-President, Investor Relations, Tel: 416-979-4198, investor.relations@sunlife.com

CO: Sun Life Financial Inc.

CNW 17:10e 05-MAY-15

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