EPS of $1.72 beat estimates of $1.58; revenue of $8.91B also beat estimates. Though Sun Life's results improved vs. a year earlier due to favorable mortality, lower corporate costs and higher asset values, the company faces near-term headwinds that could slow profit gains in 2H and 2025. At the MFS asset manager, withdrawals are elevated and margins ticked down on higher expenses. The net outflow rate was 7% over the past year and 9% in 2Q. In the US, the core benefits franchise is performing well, but the acquired DentaQuest unit had a small 2Q loss on Medicaid redeterminations, which cut membership and boosted loss ratios. Sun Life is lifting prices and trimming costs to address this, but pressure may persist for a few more quarters. Also, stop-loss profits are easing vs. 2023's robust level. In Asia, Hong Kong sales were strong, but a few other countries were sluggish. Overall we still like it; its low valuation reflects most of the concerns, we believe.
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