EX-99.1 2 o56412bexv99w1.htm EX-99.1 EX-99.1
Exhibit 99.1
MANAGEMENT’S DISCUSSION & ANALYSIS
For the period ended June 30, 2009
Dated August 6, 2009
Earnings and profitability
The financial results presented in this document are unaudited.
FINANCIAL SUMMARY
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Common shareholders’ net income (loss) ($ millions)
    591       (213 )     129       (396 )     519       378       1,052  
 
                                                       
Operating earnings (loss)(1) ($ millions)
    591       (186 )     (696 )     (396 )     519       405       1,052  
 
                                                       
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (EPS) ($)
    1.06       (0.38 )     0.23       (0.71 )     0.92       0.68       1.87  
Fully diluted EPS ($)
    1.05       (0.38 )     0.23       (0.71 )     0.91       0.67       1.85  
Fully diluted operating EPS(1) ($)
    1.05       (0.33 )     (1.25 )     (0.71 )     0.91       0.72       1.85  
 
                                                       
Return on common equity (ROE) (%)
    14.9       (5.5 )     3.3       (10.2 )     12.9       4.7       13.2  
Operating ROE(1)
    14.9       (4.7 )     (17.9 )     (10.2 )     12.9       5.1       13.2  
 
                                                       
Average common shares outstanding (millions)
    559.8       559.7       559.7       559.7       561.6       559.7       562.7  
Closing common shares outstanding (millions)
    560.7       559.7       559.7       559.7       559.9       559.8       559.9  
 
Sun Life Financial Inc.(2) reported net income attributable to common shareholders of $591 million for the quarter ended June 30, 2009, compared with net income of $519 million in the second quarter of 2008. Net income in the second quarter of 2009 was impacted by reserve releases of $432 million as a result of favourable equity markets, $104 million from increased interest rates and $117 million from the favourable impact of narrowing credit spreads. This was partially offset by $217 million in reserve increases for downgrades on the Company’s investment portfolio, $97 million in reserve increases related to changes in asset default assumptions in anticipation of future credit-related losses and $121 million in net credit impairments incurred during the quarter. Results in the second quarter of 2008 included earnings of $26 million or $0.05 per share from the Company’s 37% ownership interest in Cl Financial, which the Company sold in the fourth quarter of 2008.
Return on equity (ROE) for the second quarter of 2009 was 14.9% compared with 12.9% for the second quarter of 2008. The increase in ROE resulted from earnings per share (EPS) of $1.05, which was higher than EPS of $0.91 reported in the prior year.
Common shareholders’ net income for the first six months of 2009 was $378 million, compared to $1,052 million in the same period in 2008. Net income in the first six months of 2009 was adversely affected by reserve increases for downgrades on the Company’s investment portfolio, changes in asset default assumptions in anticipation of future credit-related losses and net credit impairments. This was partially offset by favourable equity markets and increased interest rates in the second quarter of 2009. Results for the first six months of 2008 included earnings of $69 million from the Company’s 37% ownership interest in Cl Financial.
Operating net income for the first six months of 2009 was $405 million, compared to $1,052 million in the first six months of 2008. Operating net income for the first six months of 2009 included after-tax charges of $27 million for restructuring costs taken as part of the Company’s efforts to reduce expense levels and improve operational efficiency.
Impact of currency
In general, the Company’s net income benefits from a weakening Canadian dollar as net income from the Company’s international operations is translated back to Canadian dollars. The relative impact of currency in any given quarter is driven by the movement in currency rates as well as the proportion of earnings generated in the Company’s foreign operations. The Company generally expresses the impact of currency on net income on a year-over-year basis. During the second quarter of 2009 the Canadian dollar appreciated relative to the U.S. dollar, however, year-over-year the value of the Canadian dollar weakened. In the second quarter of 2009, the Company’s overall net income was increased by $72 million from the weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to the second quarter of 2008.
Future Impact of Certain Prospective Actuarial Assumption Changes
As a result of pronounced market volatility over the past year and in accordance with professional guidance for reserving and capital, the Company expects to update the equity and interest rate related assumptions used to value variable annuity, segregated fund, certain fixed annuity and individual life liabilities in the third quarter of 2009. While the precise impact is not yet determinable, the Company estimates that there will be an unfavourable impact to net income as a result of these updates in the range of $450 million to $550 million after-tax,
 
(1)   Operating earnings and other financial information based on operating earnings such as operating earnings per share and operating return on equity are non-GAAP financial measures. For additional information please see “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures”. All EPS measures in this document refer to fully diluted EPS, unless otherwise stated.
 
(2)   Together with its subsidiaries and joint ventures “the Company” or “Sun Life Financial”.
2      Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
including management actions. In addition, the Company expects that these updates will reduce its regulatory capital ratios. However, the Company expects to remain strongly capitalized after these updates are in effect. The estimated impact of these changes is forward-looking information. Additional information on these changes can be found in the “Outlook” section of this document.
Performance by business group
The Company manages its operations and reports its results in five business segments: Sun Life Financial Canada (SLF Canada), Sun Life Financial U.S. (SLF U.S.), MFS Investment Management (MFS), Sun Life Financial Asia (SLF Asia) and Corporate. Additional detail concerning the segments is outlined in Note 5 to Sun Life Financial Inc.’s Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, which are prepared in accordance with Canadian generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). Where appropriate, information on a business segment is presented both in Canadian dollars and the segment’s local currency to facilitate the analysis of underlying business trends.
SLF CANADA
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Common shareholders’ net income (loss) ($ millions)
                                                       
Individual Insurance & Investments
    136       77       (130 )     28       177       213       326  
Group Benefits
    53       65       74       81       80       118       129  
Group Wealth
    28       52       1       48       39       80       88  
 
Total
    217       194       (55 )     157       296       411       543  
 
SLF Canada had net income of $217 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to net income of $194 million in the first quarter of 2009 and earnings of $296 million in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in earnings from the second quarter of 2008 was mainly attributable to unfavourable interest rate related hedge impacts, changes in asset default assumptions in anticipation of future credit-related losses, lower morbidity gains and increased tax provisions. This decline in earnings was partially offset by the impact of increasing equity markets during the second quarter of 2009. Results in the second quarter of 2008 included earnings from the Company’s 37% ownership interest in Cl Financial, which the Company sold in the fourth quarter of 2008.
  Individual Insurance & Investments earnings were $136 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to earnings of $177 million in the second quarter of 2008. Earnings in the second quarter of 2009 were lower due to unfavourable interest rate related hedge impacts, changes in asset default assumptions, lower earnings due to the sale of the Company’s ownership interest in Cl Financial and increased tax provisions. This decline in earnings was partially offset by the impact of increasing equity markets.
  Group Benefits earnings were $53 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $80 million for the same quarter of 2008 due primarily to lower morbidity gains and changes in asset default assumptions.
  Group Wealth earnings were $28 million for the second quarter of 2009 compared to $39 million for the same quarter one year ago due primarily to changes in asset default assumptions.
Earnings for the first six months of 2009 were $411 million compared to $543 million for the same period last year. Net income decreased primarily from lower earnings due to the sale of the Company’s holdings in Cl Financial, unfavourable interest rate related hedge impacts and changes in asset default assumptions in anticipation of future credit-related losses.
Despite the challenging economic environment in the second quarter of 2009, SLF Canada maintained sales momentum. Sales of Individual fixed interest products, including accumulation annuities, GICs and payout annuities, increased 119% from the same period a year ago to $248 million. In Group Benefits, sales increased by 68% to $69 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the same period last year. In Group Wealth, Group Retirement Services (GRS) sales included $193 million of retained assets from members leaving plans, representing a 46% retention ratio. GRS continued to build on its leadership position in the Defined Contribution (DC) industry in the first quarter of 2009 capturing 57% of total DC market activity, as recently reported by LIMRA.
SLF U.S.
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Common shareholders’ net income (loss) (US$ millions)
                                                       
Annuities
    212       (324 )     (672 )     (456 )     22       (112 )     97  
Individual Insurance
    95       (57 )     95       (76 )     35       38       54  
Employee Benefits Group
    30       48       1       30       25       78       44  
 
Total (US$ millions)
    337       (333 )     (576 )     (502 )     82       4       195  
Total (C$ millions)
    422       (407 )     (679 )     (533 )     83       15       196  
 
Sun Life Financial Inc. | sunlife.com     3

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
SLF U.S. had net income of C$422 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to a net loss of C$407 million in the first quarter of 2009 and earnings of C$83 million in the second quarter of 2008. The depreciation of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar increased the reported income in SLF U.S. by C$57 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008.
In U.S. dollars, earnings were US$337 million compared to earnings of US$82 million in the second quarter of 2008. Results were higher primarily from the favourable impact of equity markets, the narrowing of credit spreads and increasing interest rates. The favourable impacts on earnings were partially offset by reserve increases related to changes in asset default assumptions in anticipation of future credit-related losses and downgrades on the investment portfolio, as well as net credit impairments incurred during the quarter.
  Annuities earnings were US$212 million compared to earnings of US$22 million in the second quarter of 2008. Earnings were higher primarily due to improved equity markets and the favourable impact of narrowing credit spreads on fixed annuities resulting in a decrease in reserves. This was partially offset by hedge impacts, reserve increases for changes in asset default assumptions and downgrades on the investment portfolio, as well as net credit impairments incurred during the quarter.
  Individual Insurance earnings for the second quarter of 2009 were US$95 million compared to earnings of US$35 million in the second quarter of 2008. Earnings increased primarily as a result of favourable interest rate movements and the impact of additional hedging activity, partially offset by reserve increases in anticipation of higher funding costs for universal life products with secondary guarantees.
  Employee Benefits Group (EBG) earnings were US$30 million compared to US$25 million in the second quarter of 2008. Earnings were higher as a result of increased interest rates during the quarter and the impact of favourable claims experience.
Earnings for the first six months of 2009 were US$4 million compared to US$195 million for the same period last year. Earnings were lower primarily due to the impact of credit-related allowances and credit-related losses in Annuities, and the unfavourable impact from the implementation of an internal reinsurance transaction in Individual Insurance for capital efficiency. These decreases were partially offset by favourable interest rate movements and favourable EBG claims experience. EBG earnings for the first six months of 2009 were US$34 million higher than the same period last year.
Despite challenging financial markets, domestic variable and fixed annuity sales in the second quarter of 2009 were US$1.3 billion, and EBG sales were US$126 million, an increase of 76%, and 3% respectively, compared to the second quarter of 2008. Although Individual Life second quarter 2009 sales of US$60 million were down 39% compared to the second quarter of 2008, sales of Individual Life core products were up 33% compared to the same period a year ago.
MFS INVESTMENT MANAGEMENT
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Common shareholders’ net income (US$ millions)
    27       23       25       47       55       50       114  
Common shareholders’ net income (C$ millions)
    32       28       30       49       56       60       115  
Pre-tax operating profit margin ratio(3)
    23 %     21 %     21 %     29 %     34 %     22 %     34 %
Average net assets (US$ billions)
    140       125       133       176       191       133       189  
Assets under management (US$ billions)
    147       124       134       162       183       147       183  
Net sales (redemptions) (US$ billions)
    4.9       0.2       (2.1 )     (2.0 )     1.0       5.1       (1.7 )
Asset appreciation / (depreciation) (US$ billions)
    17.9       (10.7 )     (25.5 )     (19.4 )     (2.0 )     7.2       (14.5 )
S&P 500 Index (daily average)
    893       811       910       1,255       1,371       852       1,360  
 
MFS had net income of C$32 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to earnings of C$28 million in the first quarter of 2009 and earnings of $56 million in the second quarter of 2008. The movement of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar increased earnings for MFS by C$4 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the second quarter of 2008.
In U.S. dollars, second quarter earnings were US$27 million compared to US$55 million in the second quarter of 2008. The decrease in earnings from the second quarter of 2008 was primarily due to lower average net assets as a result of the decline in global financial markets.
Six-month earnings were US$50 million compared to US$114 million in the same period last year. The decrease is primarily due to lower average net assets as a result of the decline in global financial markets.
Total assets under management at June 30, 2009 were US$147 billion, an increase of US$13 billion compared to December 31, 2008, driven by asset appreciation of US$7.2 billion and net inflows of US$5.1 billion.
 
(3)   Pre-tax operating profit margin ratio is a non-GAAP measure. See “Use of Non-GAAP Financial Measures.”
4     Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Net flows in the second quarter of 2009 were US$4.9 billion, including retail net flows of US$1.2 billion. MFS’ retail fund performance remains strong with 92% of fund assets ranked in the top half of their respective Lipper categories based on three-year performance. Performance in the U.S. equity and global/international equity categories has been especially strong, with 93% and 97% of fund assets, respectively, ranking in the top half of their respective three-year Lipper averages as of June 30, 2009.
SLF ASIA
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Common shareholders’ net income (loss) ($ millions)
    20       17       16       (8 )     12       37       25  
 
Second quarter earnings for SLF Asia were $20 million compared to earnings of $17 million in the first quarter of 2009 and $12 million in the second quarter of 2008. The increase in earnings from the second quarter of 2008 was primarily due to increased net income in Hong Kong as a result of improved economic conditions including favourable equity and interest rate movements.
Earnings for the first six months of 2009 were $37 million compared to $25 million for the same period last year. Earnings were higher primarily from increased net income in Hong Kong as a result of improved economic conditions. Results for the first six months of 2008 were unfavourably impacted by the widening of credit spreads in Hong Kong.
Sales in SLF Asia for the first six months were down 1.5% compared to the first six months of 2008 with continued growth in India offset by a slow down in sales in other markets. Reduced preference for investment-linked products created by volatile economic conditions has been mostly offset by increased demand for traditional insurance products. In India, Birla Sun Life Asset Management Company, the Company’s mutual fund joint venture was awarded Mutual Fund House of the Year for 2008 by CNBC-CRISIL. The award, which recognizes outstanding mutual fund performance, has been awarded to Birla Sun Life Asset Management two years in a row, a first in the Indian Mutual Fund industry. On July 15, 2009, the new joint venture between Sun Life Financial and Commerce International Merchant Bankers Group received regulatory approval. The joint venture will enable Sun Life Financial’s life, accident and health insurance products to be distributed through the 600-plus branches of PT Bank CIMB Niaga in Indonesia.
CORPORATE
Corporate includes the results of Sun Life Financial U.K. (SLF U.K.) and Corporate Support, which includes the Company’s reinsurance businesses as well as investment income, expenses, capital and other items not allocated to Sun Life Financial’s other business segments.
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Common shareholders’ net income (loss) ($ millions)
                                                       
SLF U.K.
    (48 )           40       69       41       (48 )     100  
Corporate Support
    (52 )     (45 )     777       (130 )     31       (97 )     73  
 
Total
    (100 )     (45 )     817       (61 )     72       (145 )     173  
 
The Corporate segment had a loss of $100 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to a loss $45 million in first quarter of 2009 and net income of $72 million in the second quarter of 2008. SLF U.K. had a loss of $48 million primarily as a result of reserve increases for downgrades on the investment portfolio. In Corporate Support, earnings in the second quarter of 2009 were lower by $83 million over the same period last year primarily as a result of credit impairments incurred during the quarter, but not yet allocated to the Company’s various business groups, and the positive impact of changes in income tax liabilities which favourably impacted results in the second quarter of 2008, partially offset by improved mortality experience in the Company’s reinsurance business.
Losses for the first six months of 2009 in the Corporate segment were $145 million compared to earnings of $173 million for the same period last year. Earnings in SLF U.K. were lower as a result of downgrades on the investment portfolio, changes in interest rates and lower equity markets as well as increases in reserves to reflect cash flow modelling for current and prior period experience. In Corporate Support, earnings were lower from credit impairments, restructuring costs taken as part of the Company’s efforts to reduce expense levels and improve operational efficiency, as well the positive impact of income tax liabilities which favourably impacted results in the first six months of 2008.
On June 15, 2009 Sun Life Financial announced its proposed acquisition of the United Kingdom operations of Lincoln National Corporation for an estimated purchase price of $359 million. The final purchase price is subject to adjustment related to market and business performance between signing and closing and to a potential adjustment related to the Lincoln UK pension plan. The completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is anticipated to be completed later this year. Sun Life Financial expects to use existing capital to finance the acquisition. The acquisition will increase SLF U.K.’s assets under management by nearly 60% to $19 billion and double the number of policies in force to 1.1 million. The combined operation will carry the Sun Life Financial of Canada name upon integration, a brand that has been active in the United Kingdom for more than a century.
Sun Life Financial Inc. | sunlife.com     5

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Additional financial disclosure
REVENUE
Under Canadian GAAP, revenues include (i) regular premiums received on life and health insurance policies and fixed annuity products, (ii) net investment income comprised of income earned on general fund assets and changes in the value of held-for-trading assets and derivative instruments, and (iii) fee income received for services provided. Segregated fund deposits, mutual fund deposits and managed fund deposits are not included in revenues.
Net investment income can experience volatility arising from quarterly fluctuation in the value of held-for-trading assets. The bonds and stocks which support actuarial liabilities are designated as held-for-trading and consequently, changes in fair values of these assets are recorded in net investment income in the consolidated statement of operations. Changes in the fair values of these assets are largely offset by changes in the fair value of the actuarial liabilities, where there is an effective matching of assets and liabilities. The Company performs cash flow testing whereby asset and liability cash flows are projected under various scenarios. When an asset backing liabilities is written down in value to reflect impairment or default, the actuarial assumptions about the cash flows required to support the liabilities will change, resulting in an increase in actuarial liabilities charged through the consolidated statement of operations. Additional detail on the Company’s accounting policies can be found in Sun Life Financial Inc.’s annual Management’s Discussion and Analysis (MD&A), which are available on the Company’s website at www.sunlife.com.
                                                         
    Quarterly results       Year to date  
    Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Revenues ($ millions)
                                                       
SLF Canada
    3,482       2,249       2,052       1,279       2,276       5,731       4,596  
SLF U.S.
    3,920       2,360       587       546       1,624       6,280       2,684  
MFS
    299       288       310       342       367       587       729  
SLF Asia
    634       238       128       180       71       872       190  
Corporate (net of consolidating adjustments)
    385       (107 )     1,629       213       73       278       98  
 
Total as reported
    8,720       5,028       4,706       2,560       4,411       13,748       8,297  
 
Impact of currency and changes in the fair value of held-for-trading assets and derivative instruments
    2,945       (358 )     (1,352 )     (2,889 )     (1,098 )     2,587       (3,284 )
 
Total adjusted revenue
    5,775       5,386       6,058       5,449       5,509       11,161       11,581  
 
Revenues for the second quarter of 2009 were $8.7 billion, up $4.3 billion from the comparable period a year ago. After adjusting for the impact of currency and fair value changes in held-for-trading assets, second quarter 2009 revenue of $5.8 billion was $296 million higher than the same period a year ago mainly due to growth in SLF Canada and SLF U.S. annuity premiums.
Premium revenue was higher by $886 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period one year ago, with $295 million arising from the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. currency. The increase of $591 million, without the effect of currency, mostly arose from improved annuity premiums. SLF Canada annuity premiums were higher by $196 million with both Individual and Group Wealth stronger. SLF U.S. annuity premiums were up $334 million before currency impacts mostly from growth in fixed annuity sales.
Net investment income of $3.9 billion was $3.5 billion higher in the second quarter of 2009 compared to the same period a year ago. The changes in fair market value of held-for-trading assets and derivatives improved net investment income by $2.5 billion in the second quarter of 2009 compared to a decrease of $1.1 billion in the second quarter of 2008. There was also a $267 million increase as a result of the weakening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies.
Fee income of $628 million in the second quarter of 2009 was down by $87 million compared to the same period in the previous year as a decrease of $148 million, before the impact of currency, from lower fees on reduced asset values in the wealth businesses was partially offset by an increase of $61 million from the weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. dollar.
Revenues of $13.7 billion for the six months ended June 30, 2009 were up $5.5 billion from the comparable period a year earlier. The primary areas of improvement were the changes in fair value of held-for-trading assets which had a positive contribution of $4.1 billion to the increase, excluding the $233 million favourable impact of currency. Annuity premiums also contributed $1.2 billion to the improvement including $293 million from the weakening of the Canadian dollar.
6     Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
ASSETS UNDER MANAGEMENT (AUM)
AUM were $397.5 billion as at June 30, 2009 compared to $381.1 billion as at December 31, 2008, and $413.2 billion as at June 30, 2008. The increase of $16.4 billion between December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009 resulted primarily from:
 
(i)   positive market movements of $12.1 billion;
(ii)   net sales of mutual, managed and segregated funds of $11.0 billion;
(iii)   an increase of $2.0 billion from the change in value of held-for-trading assets; partially offset by
(iv)   a decrease of $9.7 billion from a strengthening Canadian dollar compared to the prior period exchange rates.
AUM decreased $15.7 billion between June 30, 2008 and June 30, 2009. The decrease in AUM related primarily to:
 
(i)   declining market performance that lowered AUM by $57.7 billion;
(ii)   a decrease of $3.1 billion from the change in value of held-for-trading assets; partially offset by
(iii)   an increase of $34.8 billion from the weakening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies;
(iv)   net sales of mutual, managed and segregated funds of $6.4 billion; and
(v)   business growth.
CHANGES IN THE BALANCE SHEET AND SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
Total general fund assets were $120.6 billion as at June 30, 2009, compared to $113.6 billion a year earlier and $119.8 billion at December 31, 2008. Total general fund assets were up $7.0 billion from the June 30, 2008 level with business growth and an increase of $6.4 billion from the weakening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies, partially offset by a decrease of $3.1 billion from the change in value of held-for-trading assets.
Total general fund assets increased by $814 million from the December 31, 2008 level of $119.8 billion. The favourable impact of $2.0 billion from the change in value of held-for-trading assets and business growth boosted general fund assets in the first half of 2009. These increases were partially offset by a reduction of $2.2 billion from the strengthening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies.
Actuarial and other policy liabilities of $83.6 billion as at June 30, 2009 increased by $2.2 billion compared to December, 31, 2008, with an increase of $2.0 billion related to corresponding changes in fair value of held-for-trading assets and business growth mostly from annuity sales in SLF U.S. and SLF Canada partly offset by a reduction of $1.3 billion from the strengthening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies.
Actuarial and other policy liabilities were up by $5.4 billion from the June 30, 2008 amount of $78.2 billion. Business growth and an increase of $4.1 billion resulting from the weakening of the Canadian dollar against foreign currencies were partially offset by a reduction in changes in fair value of held-for-trading assets of $3.1 billion.
Shareholders’ equity, including Sun Life Financial’s preferred share capital, was $17.9 billion as at June 30, 2009 compared to $17.4 billion as at December 31, 2008 and $17.5 billion as at June 30, 2008. The increase of $580 million between December 31, 2008 and June 30, 2009 resulted primarily from:
 
(i)   shareholders’ net income of $413 million, before preferred share dividends of $35 million;
(ii)   unrealized gains on available-for-sale assets in other comprehensive income (OCI) of $782 million; and
(iii)   net proceeds of $246 million from the issue of 6% preferred shares; partially offset by
(iv)   common share dividend payments of $403 million; and
(v)   a decrease of $455 million from the strengthening of the Canadian dollar.
As at August 3, 2009, Sun Life Financial Inc. had 560.8 million common shares and 71.0 million preferred shares outstanding.
Sun Life Financial Inc. | sunlife.com     7

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
CASH FLOWS
                                 
      Quarterly results       Year to date  
($ millions)   Q2’09     Q2’08     2009     2008  
 
Cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period
    9,366       3,257       7,263       3,603  
Cash flows provided by (used in):
                               
Operating activities
    1,113       599       1,811       792  
Financing activities
    225       124       778       178  
Investing activities
    (1,058 )     (819 )     (365 )     (1,483 )
Changes due to fluctuations in exchange rates
    (481 )     (47 )     (321 )     24  
 
Increase in cash and cash equivalents
    (201 )     (143 )     1,902       (489 )
 
Cash and cash equivalents, end of period
    9,165       3,114       9,165       3,114  
Short-term securities, end of period
    2,035       2,268       2,035       2,268  
 
Total cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities
    11,200       5,382       11,200       5,382  
 
Net cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities of $11.2 billion as at the end of the second quarter of 2009 were up by $5.8 billion compared to the second quarter of 2008.
Cash generated by operations was $514 million higher in the second quarter of 2009 than 2008. The increase was mainly due to a higher level of premiums partially offset by increased policyholder payments and expenses. Cash provided by financing activities in the second quarter of 2009 was $101 million higher than in the same period a year ago mostly due to a $250 million issuance of preferred shares and a reduction of $99 million in share repurchases, partly offset by a net decrease of $49 million in the issuance of new debentures compared to the comparable period a year ago. Cash used in investing activities was up by $239 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared with the same quarter of 2008 from an increased level of long-term asset purchases. The strengthening of the Canadian dollar decreased cash balances by $481 million in the second quarter of 2009 compared to $47 million in the comparable period a year ago.
Cash provided by operating activities for the six months ended June 30, 2009 was $1.0 billion higher than the comparable period a year ago. The increase of $1.7 billion in premiums was only partly offset by higher policyholder payments and expenses. Financing activities for the first six months of 2009 provided $599 million more in cash than the comparable period of 2008 from a combination of increased preferred share and debenture issuances and reduced level of share repurchases. Cash used by investing activities was $1.1 billion lower in the first six months of 2009 than 2008 mostly from a lower level of investing as a result of the Company’s decision to maintain higher levels of liquidity due to current market conditions. The strengthening of the Canadian dollar reduced cash balances by $321 million in the first six months of 2009 compared to an increase of $24 million in the same period a year ago from a weakening of the Canadian dollar.
QUARTERLY FINANCIAL RESULTS
The following table provides a summary of Sun Life Financial’s results for the eight most recently completed quarters.
                                                                 
    Quarterly results
    Q2’09   Q1’09   Q4’08   Q3’08   Q2’08   Q1’08   Q4’07   Q3’07
 
Common shareholders’
                                                               
net income (loss) ($ millions)
    591       (213 )     129       (396 )     519       533       555       577  
Operating earnings (loss) ($ millions)
    591       (186 )     (696 )     (396 )     519       533       560       583  
Basic EPS ($)
    1.06       (0.38 )     0.23       (0.71 )     0.92       0.95       0.98       1.02  
Fully diluted EPS ($)
    1.05       (0.38 )     0.23       (0.71 )     0.91       0.93       0.97       1.00  
Fully diluted operating EPS ($)
    1.05       (0.33 )     (1.25 )     (0.71 )     0.91       0.93       0.98       1.01  
Total revenue ($ millions)
    8,720       5,028       4,706       2,560       4,411       3,886       5,405       5,699  
Total AUM ($ billions)
    397       375       381       389       413       415       425       427  
 
INVESTMENTS
The Company had total invested assets of $108 billion as at June 30, 2009. The majority of the Company’s general funds are invested in medium- to long-term fixed income instruments such as bonds and mortgages. The Company holds 86% of its invested assets in cash and fixed income investments. Stocks and real estate comprised 4% and 5% of the portfolio, respectively, as at June 30, 2009. The remaining 5% of the portfolio is comprised of policy loans, derivatives and other invested assets.
As at June 30, 2009, the Company held $60.4 billion of bonds, which constituted 56% of the Company’s overall investment portfolio. Bonds with an investment grade of “A” or higher represented 65%, and bonds rated “BBB” or higher represented 95% of the total bond portfolio as at June 30, 2009, down from 97% at December 31, 2008. The decrease is mainly due to downgrades in the bond portfolio, primarily the financial sector, as a result of the weaker credit environment.
8     Sun Life Financial Inc. Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Included in $60.4 billion of bonds, the Company held $12.7 billion of privately held bonds, which constituted 21% of the Company’s overall bond portfolio. Bonds that are not issued or guaranteed by sovereign, regional and municipal governments represented 75% of the total bond portfolio as at June 30, 2009, unchanged from December 31, 2008.
The Company’s gross unrealized losses as at June 30, 2009 for available-for-sale bonds and held-for-trading bonds were $1.1 billion and $4.9 billion, respectively, compared with $1.9 billion and $7.1 billion, respectively, at December 31, 2008. The change is primarily due to tightening of credit spreads partially offset by increases in interest rates. Gross unrealized losses reflect the difference between the fair value and amortized cost.
The Company’s bond portfolio as at June 30, 2009 included $15.4 billion in the financial sector, representing approximately 26% of the Company’s bond portfolio, or 14% of the Company’s total invested assets. This compares to $15.5 billion as at December 31, 2008. The $0.1 billion decrease in the value of financial sector bond holdings is primarily the result of increase in interest rates and strengthening in the Canadian dollar offset by credit spread narrowing.
The Company’s bond portfolio as at June 30, 2009 included $4.6 billion of asset-backed securities reported as bonds, representing approximately 8% of the Company’s bond portfolio, or 4% of the Company’s total invested assets. This compares to $5.1 billion as at December 31, 2008.
                                 
    June 30, 2009     December 31,2008  
($ millions)   Fair value     Investment
grade
%
    Fair value     Investment
grade %
 
 
Commercial mortgage-backed securities
    1,840       98.4 %     1,889       99.7 %
Residential mortgage-backed securities
                               
Agency
    958       100.0 %     1,138       100.0 %
Non-agency
    1,016       89.7 %     1,092       98.4 %
Collateralized debt obligations
    158       65.8 %     215       80.8 %
Other*
    638       90.3 %     754       97.3 %
 
Total
    4,610       94.6 %     5,088       98.3 %
 
*   Other includes sub-prime, a portion of the Company’s exposure to Alt-A and other asset-backed securities
The fair value of the Company’s asset-backed securities reported as bonds is further broken down in the tables below to reflect ratings and vintages of the assets within this portfolio. The Company determines impairments on securitized assets by using discounted cash flow models that consider losses under current and expected economic conditions. Assumptions used include macroeconomic factors such as commercial and residential property values and unemployment rates. If the cash flow modelling results in an economic loss and the Company believes the loss is probable of occurring, an impairment is recorded. The asset-backed portfolio is highly sensitive to fluctuations in macroeconomic factors. Further write-downs on previously impaired securities may result from continued deterioration in economic factors such as property values and unemployment rates.
                                         
            RMBS–     RMBS–              
As at June 30, 2009   CMBS     Agency     Non-agency     CDOS     Other  
 
Rating
                                       
AAA
    74.1 %     100.0 %     33.0 %     7.1 %     53.7 %
AA
    7.3 %     0.0 %     40.8 %     24.0 %     8.1 %
A
    8.5 %     0.0 %     11.6 %     0.5 %     15.7 %
BBB
    8.5 %     0.0 %     4.3 %     34.2 %     12.8 %
BB & Below
    1.6 %     0.0 %     10.3 %     34.2 %     9.7 %
 
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
Vintage
                                       
2005 & Prior
    84.2 %     62.1 %     90.2 %     70.7 %     56.9 %
2006
    12.1 %     8.7 %     8.3 %     8.5 %     17.4 %
2007
    3.5 %     13.2 %     1.5 %     20.8 %     2.0 %
2008
    0.1 %     15.8 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     23.7 %
2009
    0.1 %     0.2 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     0.0 %
 
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
CMBS = Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities; RMBS = Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities; CDOs = Collateralized Debt Obligations
Sun Life Financial Inc. | sunlife.com     9

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
                                         
            RMBS–     RMBS–              
As at December 31, 2008   CMBS     Agency     Non-agency     CDOs     Other  
 
Rating
                                       
AAA
    74.5 %     100.0 %     33.2 %     19.1 %     51.3 %
AA
    7.7 %     0.0 %     48.0 %     46.5 %     13.9 %
A
    8.3 %     0.0 %     11.6 %     10.5 %     20.4 %
BBB
    9.2 %     0.0 %     5.6 %     4.7 %     11.7 %
BB & Below
    0.3 %     0.0 %     1.6 %     19.2 %     2.7 %
 
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
Vintage
                                       
2005 & Prior
    85.6 %     59.2 %     90.2 %     75.0 %     59.3 %
2006
    10.8 %     11.1 %     8.2 %     9.5 %     18.5 %
2007
    3.5 %     13.1 %     1.6 %     15.5 %     2.5 %
2008
    0.1 %     16.6 %     0.0 %     0.0 %     19.7 %
 
Total
    100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %     100.0 %
 
CMBS = Commercial Mortgage-Backed Securities; RMBS = Residential Mortgage-Backed Securities; CDOs = Collateralized Debt Obligations
As at June 30, 2009, the Company had indirect exposure to residential sub-prime and Alternative-A (Alt-A) loans of $146 million and $127 million, respectively, together representing approximately 0.3% of the Company’s total invested assets. Alt-A loans generally are residential loans made to borrowers with credit profiles that are stronger than sub-prime but weaker than prime. 90.4% of these investments either were issued before 2006 or have an “AAA” rating.
The Company’s mortgage portfolio consists almost entirely of first mortgages. While the Company generally requires a maximum loan to value ratio of 75%, it may invest in mortgages with a higher loan to value ratio in Canada if the mortgage is insured. As at June 30, 2009, the mix of the Company’s mortgage portfolio was 81.4% non-residential and 18.6% residential and approximately 33.4% of mortgage loans will mature by December 31, 2013. As at June 30, 2009, the Company’s commercial mortgage portfolio had a carrying value of $14.8 billion, which is spread across approximately 4,100 loans.
                                                 
($ millions)   June 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
    Residential     Non-residential     Total     Residential     Non-residential     Total  
 
Canada
    2,531       5,552       8,083       2,620       5,896       8,516  
United States
    322       6,819       7,141       342       7,338       7,680  
United Kingdom
          75       75             71       71  
 
Total Mortgages
    2,853       12,446       15,299       2,962       13,305       16,267  
 
Corporate Loans
                5,878                   6,035  
 
Total Mortgages & Corporate Loans
                    21,177                       22,302  
 
The distribution of mortgages and corporate loans by credit quality as at June 30, 2009 and December 31, 2008 is shown in the tables below.
                                                 
    June 30, 2009  
    Gross carrying value     Allowance for losses  
    Mortgages     Corporate loans     Total     Mortgages     Corporate loans     Total  
 
Not past due
  $ 15,125     $ 5,825     $ 20,950     $     $     $  
Past due:
                                               
Past due less than 90 days
    15       8       23                    
Past due 90 to 179 days
                                   
Past due 180 days or more
                                   
Impaired
    189       65       254       30       20       50  
 
Balance, June 30, 2009
  $ 15,329     $ 5,898     $ 21,227     $ 30     $ 20     $ 50  
 
                                                 
    December 31, 2008  
    Gross carrying value     Allowance for losses  
    Mortgages     Corporate loans     Total     Mortgages     Corporate loans     Total  
 
Not past due
  $ 16,171     $ 5,946     $ 22,117     $     $     $  
Past due:
                                               
Past due less than 90 days
    17       17       34                    
Past due 90 to 179 days
          14       14                    
Past due 180 days or more
    1       9       10                    
Impaired
    91       59       150       13       10       23  
 
Balance, December 31, 2008
  $ 16,280     $ 6,045     $ 22,325     $ 13     $ 10     $ 23  
 
10     Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Net impaired assets for mortgages and corporate loans, net of allowances, amounted to $204 million as at June 30, 2009, $77 million more than the December 31, 2008 level for these assets. In addition to allowances reflected in the carrying value of mortgages and corporate loans, the Company had $3.0 billion of reserves for possible future asset defaults for all financial assets included in its actuarial liabilities as at June 30, 2009, compared with $2.3 billion as at December 31, 2008.
The values of the Company’s derivative instruments are summarized 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.
                 
($ millions)   June 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
 
Net fair value
    (592 )     (550 )
Total notional amount
    48,820       50,796  
Credit equivalent amount
    895       1,260  
Risk-weighted credit equivalent amount
    6       28  
 
The total notional amount decreased to $48.8 billion as at June 30, 2009, from $50.8 billion as at December 31, 2008, and the net fair value was $(592) million as at June 30, 2009 compared with the December 31, 2008 amount of $(550) million. The credit equivalent amount, a measure used to approximate the potential credit exposure, is determined as the replacement cost of the derivative contracts having a positive fair value plus an amount representing the potential future credit exposure. The risk-weighted credit equivalent amount is a measure used to determine the amount of capital necessary to support derivative transactions for certain Canadian regulatory purposes. It is determined by weighting the credit equivalent amount according to the nature of the derivative and the creditworthiness of the counterparties.
The invested asset values and ratios presented in this section are based on the carrying value of the respective asset categories. Carrying value for available-for-sale and held-for-trading invested assets are equal to fair value. In the event of default, if the amounts recovered are insufficient to satisfy the related actuarial liability cash flows that the assets are intended to support, credit exposure may be greater than the carrying value of the asset.
CAPITAL MANAGEMENT AND LIQUIDITY
Sun Life Financial has a policy designed to maintain a strong capital position and provide the flexibility necessary to take advantage of growth opportunities, to support the risk associated with its businesses and to optimize shareholder return. The Company’s capital base is structured to exceed regulatory and internal capital targets and maintain strong credit ratings while maintaining a capital efficient structure and desired capital ratios. Capital is managed both on a consolidated basis under principles that consider all the risks associated with the business as well as at the business unit level under the principles appropriate to the jurisdiction in which it operates. Sun Life Financial manages capital for all of its subsidiaries in a manner commensurate with its risk profile.
Sun Life, including all of its business groups, conducts a rigorous capital plan annually where capital options, fund raising alternatives and dividend policies are presented to the Board. Capital reviews are regularly conducted which consider the potential impacts under various business, interest rate and equity market scenarios. Relevant components of the capital reviews are presented to the Board on a quarterly basis.
Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada (Sun Life Assurance), the Company’s principal operating subsidiary in Canada, is subject to the Minimum Continuing Capital Surplus Requirements (MCCSR) of the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions, Canada (OSFI). OSFI’s capital target for life insurance companies is an MCCSR ratio of 150% or greater. With an MCCSR ratio of 231% Sun Life Assurance was well above the supervisory target as at June 30, 2009, compared to 232% as at December 31, 2008. The MCCSR ratio remained relatively flat with December 31, 2008 as the impact of equity markets largely offset credit experience. The financial strength ratings for Sun Life Financial’s principal operating subsidiaries remained unchanged from the first quarter of 2009.
The Company’s risk management framework includes a number of liquidity risk management procedures, including prescribed liquidity stress testing, active monitoring and contingency planning. The Company maintains an overall asset liquidity profile that exceeds requirements to fund potential demand liabilities under prescribed adverse liability demand scenarios. The Company also actively manages and monitors the matching of its asset positions against its commitments, together with the diversification and credit quality of its investments, against established targets.
The Company’s primary source of funds is cash provided by operating activities, including premiums, investment management fees and net investment income. These funds are used primarily to pay policy benefits, dividends to policyholders, claims, commissions, operating expenses, interest expenses and shareholder dividends. Cash flows generated from operating activities are generally invested to support future payment requirements, including the payment of dividends to shareholders.
On May 20, 2009, the SLF Inc. completed a public offering of $250 million of 6.0% Class A Non-Cumulative 5-Year Rate Reset Preferred Shares Series 6R. On June 30, 2009, the company also completed a public offering of $300 million of Series D Senior Unsecured 5.7% Debentures due 2019. The net proceeds from both offerings will be used for general corporate purposes, including investments in subsidiaries.
Sun Life Financial Inc. | sunlife.com     11

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
On May 12, 2009, the Company announced amendments to its Canadian dividend reinvestment and share purchase plan (the “Plan”). Under the Plan, common and preferred shareholders may chose to automatically have their dividends reinvested in additional common shares of SLF Inc or may purchase additional common shares for cash. Under the amended Plan, SLF Inc. may issue common shares from treasury at a discount of up to 5% to the volume weighted average market price determined in accordance with the Plan. Prior to the amendments to the Plan, common shares acquired on behalf of participants of the Plan have been purchased through the TSX at the market price. On June 30, 2009, SLF Inc. issued approximately 1 million common shares from treasury at a discount to the average market price of 2% for reinvested dividends.
On June 15, 2009 Sun Life Financial announced its proposed acquisition of the United Kingdom operations of Lincoln National Corporation for an estimated purchase price of $359 million. The final purchase price is subject to adjustment related to market and business performance between signing and closing and to a potential adjustment related to the Lincoln UK pension plan. The completion of the transaction is subject to regulatory approvals and the satisfaction of customary closing conditions and is anticipated to be completed later this year. Sun Life Financial expects to use existing capital to finance the acquisition.
OUTLOOK
During the second quarter of 2009, the economy showed some signs of improvement. In the U.S., the S&P 500 increased by more than 15%, its best quarter since 1998, while consumer confidence measures, manufacturing orders and certain housing data surprised on the upside during the second quarter. Despite these positive indicators, the U.S. Federal Reserve predicts that the economy will shrink between 1.0-1.5% this year and unemployment, which reached a 26-year high of 9.5% in June, could exceed 10%. The Federal Reserve kept interest rates unchanged at essentially zero or in a range of 0% - 0.25% at their two meetings held during the second quarter and recently indicated that rates would stay at historic lows for an extended period. In Canada, the S&P/TSX Composite Index increased by almost 19%. During the second quarter of 2009, the Bank of Canada maintained its target for the overnight rate at 0.25% and indicated the overnight rate can be expected to remain at its current level until the end of the second quarter of 2010 in order to achieve the inflation target. The Bank also noted that while financial conditions improved during the second quarter of 2009, the rapid appreciation of the Canadian dollar may undermine the positive impact of economic improvements.
In response to the global financial crisis, governments and regulators are working to develop the appropriate level of financial regulation required to ensure that capital, liquidity and risk management practices are sufficient to withstand severe economic downturns. While the impacts on the life insurance sector are not known, it remains probable that increased regulation (including at the holding company level) will lead to higher levels of required capital and liquidity and limits on levels of financial leverage which could result in lower returns on capital for shareholders.
The Company expects that macroeconomic challenges and market volatility will continue for some time. The Company previously generated annual operating earnings of $1.9 billion, $2.1 billion and $2.3 billion in 2005, 2006 and 2007, respectively. Earnings at these levels reflected the corresponding asset and account values in existence at that time and an environment characterized by relatively stable interest rates, rising equity markets and abundant credit. Going forward sustainable earnings levels are expected to reflect today’s lower asset levels and account values as well as higher risk management costs, the expected higher levels of capital required by regulators, lower leverage, currency fluctuations and the potential for higher tax costs as governments around the world look to address higher deficits.
In the third quarter of 2009, the Company expects to update the equity related assumptions used to value variable annuity and segregated fund liabilities and required capital in accordance with professional guidance. The update, which is part of an annual process which updates the Company’s economic assumptions with recent data, is being driven by the pronounced equity market volatility experienced over the past year.
In addition, it is expected that updates to the interest rate related assumptions used in various valuation models will also result in additional reserves in the third quarter of 2009. These updates are being driven primarily by new criteria provided by a committee of the Canadian Institute of Actuaries.
While the precise impact of these changes is not yet determinable, the Company estimates that the total unfavourable net income impact of these changes will be in the range of $450 million to $550 million after-tax, including revisions to Conditional Tail Expectations (CTE levels) and other management actions. These impacts are based on equity and interest rate levels as at June 30, 2009. In addition, the Company expects that these updates will reduce its regulatory capital ratios. However, the Company expects to remain strongly capitalized after these updates are in effect. The earnings impact from these changes is non-cash, and should long-term economic conditions be consistent with the Company’s best estimates the majority of the additional reserves will be released into income over time.
12     Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The estimated impact of updates to equity and interest rate related assumptions is forward-looking information. These impacts are based on equity and interest rate levels as at June 30, 2009. Actual results can differ materially from these estimates for a variety of reasons including management actions, effective tax rates, model error and currency exchange rates. Changes in accounting or actuarial valuation methods, models or assumptions could result in material changes to the reported impact on net income. An external review of models will take place prior to the finalization of these assumption changes.
MARKET SENSITIVITY
The Company’s earnings are dependent on the determination of its policyholder obligations under its annuity and insurance contracts. These amounts are determined using internal valuation models and are recorded in the Company’s financial statements, primarily as actuarial liabilities. The determination of these obligations requires management to make assumptions about the future level of equity market performance, interest rates and other factors over the life of its products.
The estimated impact on the Company’s policyholder obligations from an immediate 10% increase across all equity markets as at June 30, 2009, would be an increase in net income in the range of $150 million to $225 million. Conversely, the impact of an immediate 10% drop across all equity markets would be an estimated decrease in net income in the range of $200 million to $275 million. These sensitivities assume that the Company’s actual equity exposures exactly match the broader equity markets. Since in practice actual 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 the market shocks illustrated above.
The estimated impact from these obligations of an immediate parallel increase of 1% in interest rates as at June 30, 2009, across the yield curve in all markets, would be an increase in net income in the range of $100 million to $150 million. Conversely, an immediate 1% parallel decrease in interest rates would result in an estimated decrease in net income in the range of $200 million to $275 million.
The Company provides guarantees through its variable annuity business in Canada and the United States which are linked to underlying fund performance.
                                                 
($ millions)   June 30, 2009     December 31, 2008  
            Amount at     Actuarial             Amount     Actuarial  
    Fund value     risk(4)     liabilities     Fund value     at risk(4)     liabilities  
 
Total
    31,547       7,581       2,057       29,730       9,063       3,036  
 
Guaranteed benefits are contingent and only payable upon death, maturity, withdrawal or annuitization if fund values remain below guaranteed values. If markets do not recover, liabilities on current in-force business would be due primarily in the period from 2013 to 2031. The amount at risk and actuarial liabilities at June 30, 2009 decreased from December 31, 2008 primarily as a result of improved market conditions. The increase in the fund value is the result of improved market conditions and growth attributable to new business.
As indicated earlier, the Company’s principal operating subsidiary, Sun Life Assurance, is subject to the MCCSR capital rules for a life insurance company in Canada. The MCCSR ratio calculation involves using qualifying models or applying quantitative factors to specific assets and liabilities based on a number of risk components to arrive at required capital and comparing this requirement to available capital to assess capital adequacy. Certain of these risk components, along with available capital, are sensitive to changes in equity markets. The estimated impact on the MCCSR ratio of Sun Life Assurance from an immediate 10% increase across all equity markets as at June 30, 2009 would result in an increase in the MCCSR ratio of up to 5 percentage points. Conversely, the estimated impact on the MCCSR ratio of Sun Life Assurance from an immediate 10% drop across all equity markets would result in a decrease in the MCCSR ratio of up to 5 percentage points.
Capital is managed both on a consolidated basis under principles that consider all the risks associated with the business as well as at the business unit level under the principles appropriate to the jurisdiction in which it operates. SLF Inc. was well above its minimum internal capital targets as at June 30, 2009. SLF Inc. would also remain well above its minimum targets after a 10% drop in equity markets from June 30, 2009 levels.
The market sensitivities above are forward-looking statements. These are measures of the Company’s estimated net income and capital sensitivity to the changes in interest rate and equity market level described above, based on a starting point and business mix in place as of June 30, 2009. Each of these sensitivities is determined independently and therefore generally assumes that all other variables stay constant. Actual results can differ materially from these estimates for a variety of reasons including differences in the pattern or distribution of the shocks illustrated above, the interaction between these factors, model error, or changes in other assumptions such as business mix, effective tax rates and the valuation allowance required for future tax assets, policyholder behaviour, currency exchange rates, and other market variables relative to those underlying the June 30, 2009 calculation date for these sensitivities.
These sensitivities reflect the composition of the Company’s assets and liabilities as of June 30, 2009. 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 hedging programs and portfolios in place as of the June 30, 2009 calculation date. The actual impact of these hedging activities can differ materially from that assumed in the determination of these indicative sensitivities due to ongoing hedge rebalancing activities, changes in the scale or scope of hedging activities, changes
(4)   Amount at risk is the excess of guaranteed values over fund values on all policies where the guaranteed value exceeds the fund value. Fund value and amount at risk are net of amounts reinsured. The amount at risk is not currently payable.
Sun Life Financial Inc. | sunlife.com      13

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
in the cost or general availability of hedging instruments, basis risk (the risk that hedges do not exactly replicate the underlying portfolio experience), operational risk in the ongoing management of the hedge programs or the potential failure of hedge counterparties to perform in accordance with expectations.
Similarly, the net income sensitivities are based on financial reporting methods and assumptions in effect as of June 30, 2009. Changes in accounting or actuarial valuation methods, models or assumptions, including the prospective equity and interest assumption changes described earlier in this document, 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 greater than proportional impacts, particularly on a decrease in interest rates.
For the reasons outlined above, these sensitivities should only be viewed as directional estimates of the underlying income sensitivity of each factor under these specialized assumptions, and should not be viewed as predictors of the Company’s future earnings. Given the nature of these calculations, the Company cannot provide assurance that those actual earnings impacts will be within the indicated ranges.
Additional information concerning the Company’s sensitivities is included in Sun Life Financial’s 2008 Annual MD&A and 2008 Consolidated Financial Statements, which are available on the Company’s website at www.sunlife.com.
ENTERPRISE RISK MANAGEMENT
Sun Life Financial uses an enterprise risk management framework to assist in categorizing, monitoring and managing the risks to which it is exposed. The major categories of risk are credit risk, market risk, insurance risk, operational risk and strategic risk. Operational risk is a broad category that includes legal and regulatory risks, people risks, and systems and processing risks.
Through its ongoing enterprise risk management procedures, Sun Life Financial reviews the various risk factors identified in the framework and reports to senior management and to the Risk Review Committee of the Board at least quarterly. Sun Life Financial’s enterprise risk management procedures and risk factors are described in Sun Life Financial Inc.’s annual MD&A and Annual Information Form (AIF) for the year ended December 31, 2008, which are available on the Company’s website at www.sunlife.com.
LEGAL AND REGULATORY MATTERS
Information concerning legal and regulatory matters is provided in Sun Life Financial Inc.’s annual Consolidated Financial Statements, annual MD&A and AIF for the year ended December 31, 2008, copies of which are available on the Company’s website at www.sunlife.com and at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.
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 GAAP.
There were no changes in the Company’s internal control over financial reporting during the period beginning on January 1, 2009 and ended on June 30, 2009 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company’s internal control over financial reporting.
TRANSITION TO INTERNATIONAL FINANCIAL REPORTING STANDARDS (IFRS)
The Canadian Accounting Standards Board has confirmed January 1, 2011 as the date IFRS will replace current Canadian standards and interpretations as Canadian GAAP for publicly accountable enterprises. In order to prepare for the conversion to IFRS, Sun Life Financial has developed an IFRS changeover plan. This plan addresses key elements of the Company’s conversion to IFRS including:
  Education and training requirements
 
  Accounting policy changes
 
  Information technology and data systems impacts
 
  Impacts on business activities
 
  Financial reporting requirements
 
  Internal control over financial reporting
The IFRS changeover plan is well underway, with key IFRS standards analyzed and compared against Sun Life Financial’s current Canadian GAAP policies. The key accounting policy alternatives have been identified, including contract classification and first-time adoption of IFRS, however final decisions are pending. The impacts of these decisions are currently being assessed. Developments relating to existing standards and new standards are being monitored to assess the impact on the changeover plan.
14     Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009

 


 

Management’s Discussion and Analysis
The core IFRS team has partnered with all of the relevant functional areas of the Company to assess the specific and overall impact of IFRS, including information technology, data systems, Treasury and Taxation. As the implementation process moves forward, the Company will continue to monitor its changeover plan; accordingly, changes to the existing plan may be required.
The Company is currently in the detailed implementation phase of its changeover plan finalizing, among other things, business and systems requirements, data modelling, financial statement and notes development.
USE OF NON-GAAP FINANCIAL MEASURES
Management evaluates the Company’s performance on the basis of financial measures prepared in accordance with GAAP, including earnings, fully diluted EPS and ROE. Management also measures the Company’s performance based on certain non-GAAP measures, including operating earnings, and financial measures based on operating earnings, including operating EPS and operating ROE, that exclude certain items that are not operational or ongoing in nature. Management also uses financial performance measures that are prepared on a constant currency basis, which exclude the impact of currency fluctuations. The Company also reviews adjusted revenue, which excludes the impact of currency and fair value changes in held-for-trading assets and derivative instruments from total revenue. Management also monitors MFS’s pre-tax operating profit margin ratio, the denominator of which excludes certain investment income and includes certain commission expenses, as a means of measuring the underlying profitability of MFS. Value of new business is used to measure overall profitability. Value of new business is based on actuarial amounts for which there are no comparable amounts under GAAP. Management believes that these non-GAAP financial measures provide information useful to investors in understanding the Company’s performance and facilitate the comparison of the quarterly and full-year results of the Company’s ongoing operations. These non-GAAP financial measures do not have any standardized meaning and may not be comparable with similar measures used by other companies. They should not be viewed as an alternative to measures of financial performance determined in accordance with GAAP. Additional information concerning these non-GAAP financial measures and reconciliations to GAAP measures are included in Sun Life Financial Inc.’s annual and interim MD&A and the Supplementary Financial Information packages that are available on www.sunlife.com under Investors — Financial Results & Reports — Year-end Reports.
The following table sets out the items that have been excluded from the Company’s operating earnings in the eight most recently completed quarters and provides a reconciliation to the Company’s earnings based on Canadian GAAP.
RECONCILIATION OF OPERATING EARNINGS
                                                                 
  Quarterly results  
($ millions)   Q2’09     Q1’09     Q4’08     Q3’08     Q2’08     Q1’08     Q4’07     Q3’07  
 
Reported earnings (GAAP)
    591       (213 )     129       (396 )     519       533       555       577  
After-tax gain (loss) on special items
Rebranding expenses in Canada
                                          (3 )     (5 )
EBG integration costs
                                          (2 )     (1 )
Gain on sale of interest in Cl Financial
                825                                  
Restructuring costs to reduce expense levels
          (27 )                                      
 
Total special items
          (27 )     825                           (5 )     (6 )
 
Operating earnings
    591       (186 )     (696 )     (396 )     519       533       560       583  
 
FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained in this document, including those relating to the Company’s strategies and other statements that are predictive in nature, that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, including information set out in this MD&A under the headings of Future Impact of Prospective Actuarial Assumption Changes, Outlook and Market Sensitivities, or that include words such as “expects”, “anticipates”, “intends”, “plans”, “believes”, “estimates” or similar expressions, are forward-looking statements within the meaning of securities laws. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning possible or assumed future results of operations of the Company. These statements represent the Company’s expectations, estimates and projections regarding future events and are not historical facts. Forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and involve risks and uncertainties that are difficult to predict. Future results and stockholder value of SLF Inc. may differ materially from those expressed in these forward-looking statements due to, among other factors, the matters set out under “Risk Factors” in the Company’s AIF and the factors detailed in its other filings with Canadian and U.S. securities regulators, including its annual and interim MD&A, and annual and interim financial statements, which are available for review at www.sedar.com and www.sec.gov.
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Management’s Discussion and Analysis
Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to, investment losses and defaults and changes to investment valuations; the performance of equity markets; interest rate fluctuations; other market risks including movement in credit spreads; possible sustained economic downturn; risks related to market liquidity; market conditions that adversely affect the Company’s capital position or its ability to raise capital; downgrades in financial strength or credit ratings; the impact of mergers and acquisitions; the performance of the Company’s investments and investment portfolios managed for clients such as segregated and mutual funds; insurance risks including mortality, morbidity, longevity and policyholder behaviour including the occurrence of natural or man-made disasters, pandemic diseases and acts of terrorism; changes in legislation and regulations including tax laws; regulatory investigations and proceedings and private legal proceedings and class actions relating to practices in the mutual fund, insurance, annuity and financial product distribution industries; risks relating to product design and pricing; the availability, cost and effectiveness of reinsurance; the inability to maintain strong distribution channels and risks relating to market conduct by intermediaries and agents; currency exchange rate fluctuations; the cost, effectiveness and availability of risk mitigating hedging programs; the creditworthiness of guarantors and counterparties to derivatives; risks relating to operations in Asia including risks relating to joint ventures; the impact of competition; risks relating to financial modelling errors; business continuity risks; failure of information systems and Internet enabled technology; breaches of computer security and privacy; dependence on third-party relationships including outsourcing arrangements; the ability to attract and retain employees; the impact of adverse results in the closed block of business; the ineffectiveness of risk management policies and procedures and the potential for financial loss related to changes in the environment. The Company does not undertake any obligation to update or revise these forward-looking statements to reflect events or circumstances after the date of this report or to reflect the occurrence of unanticipated events, except as required by law.
The financial results presented in this document are unaudited.
16     Sun Life Financial Inc. | Second Quarter 2009