News releases

November 07, 2018

Sun Life Financial Reports Third Quarter 2018 Results

The information in this document is based on the unaudited interim financial results of Sun Life Financial Inc. ("SLF Inc.") for the period ended September 30, 2018. Sun Life Financial Inc., its subsidiaries and, where applicable, its joint ventures and associates are collectively referred to as "the Company", "Sun Life Financial", "we", "our", and "us". Unless otherwise noted, all amounts are in Canadian dollars.

TORONTO, Nov. 7, 2018 /CNW/ - Sun Life Financial Inc. (TSX: SLF) (NYSE: SLF) today announced its results for the third quarter ended September 30, 2018. Third quarter reported net income was $567 million and underlying net income was $730 million.

   

Quarterly results

Year-to-date

   

Q3'18

Q3'17

2018

2017

Profitability

Reported net income ($ millions)

567

817

1,942

1,942

Underlying net income(1) ($ millions)

730

643

2,229

1,905

         

Reported EPS(2) ($)

0.93

1.32

3.18

3.16

Underlying EPS(1)(2) ($)

1.20

1.05

3.66

3.10

         

Reported ROE(1)

10.8%

16.2%

12.5%

12.8%

Underlying ROE(1)

14.0%

12.7%

14.3%

12.6%

           

Growth

Insurance sales(1) ($ millions)

577

599

1,875

1,936

Wealth sales(1) ($ billions)

29.8

35.8

100.5

110.0

Value of new business(1) ($ millions)

244

224

844

703

Assets under management(1) ($ billions)

983.5

933.6

983.5

933.6

           

Financial
Strength

LICAT ratios(3)

       

 Sun Life Financial Inc.

145%

n/a

145%

n/a

 Sun Life Assurance(4)

130%

n/a

130%

n/a

Financial leverage ratio(1)

21.9%

22.5%

21.9%

22.5%

Sun Life Financial Inc. (CNW Group/Sun Life Financial Inc.)

 

"In the third quarter, underlying net income was strong at $730 million, and return on equity was 14%, at the high end of our target range," said Dean Connor, President and CEO, Sun Life Financial. "We are pleased to announce an increase in our common share dividend of 5% to $0.50, reflecting confidence in our strong capital position and growth prospects."

"We also continue to deliver on our Purpose by helping our Clients around the globe live healthier lives," said Connor. "One of the many examples is Lumino Health in Canada; this first of its kind digital network offers consumer ratings, cost and other information to help all Canadians make more informed healthcare decisions."

                                                           

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document. 

     

(2)

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

     

(3)

For further information on the Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test ("LICAT") effective January 1, 2018, see section E - Financial Strength in this document. LICAT ratios are not applicable before January 1, 2018.                                   

     

(4)

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life Assurance") is SLF Inc.'s principal operating life insurance subsidiary.                      

     

 

Financial and Operational Highlights

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

 

Reported

net income (loss)

Underlying

net income (loss)(1)

Insurance

sales(1)

Wealth

sales(1)

 

Q3'18

Q3'17

change

Q3'18

Q3'17

change

Q3'18

Q3'17

change

Q3'18

Q3'17

change

SLF Canada

335

340

(1)%

251

222

13%

203

217

(6)%

3,539

3,609

(2)%

SLF U.S.(2)

(267)

72

nm(3)

139

121

15%

172

193

(11)%

 

SLF Asset Management

241

185

30%

251

204

23%

 

24,365

28,610

(15)%

SLF Asia(2)

164

216

(24)%

110

130

(15)%

202

189

7%

1,928

3,607

(47)%

Corporate

94

4

nm(3)

(21)

(34)

nm(3)

 

 

Total

567

817

(31)%

730

643

14%

577

599

(4)%

29,832

35,826

(17)%

(1) 

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia, and comparative figures in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation.

(3) 

Not meaningful

 

Our reported net income of $567 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the 2017 result of $817 million included the unfavourable impact of $166 million of assumption changes and management actions ("ACMA")(1) in 2018, compared to the favourable impact of $103 million in 2017. As well, the change in market impacts between the two periods was unfavourable by $88 million. Underlying net income in the third quarter of 2018 increased $87 million to $730 million compared to 2017, primarily driven by business growth, the lower income tax rate in the U.S., and favourable investment experience, partially offset by new business strain in SLF Asia and in SLF Canada as well as less favourable mortality experience.

In the third quarter of 2018, our reported ROE was 10.8%, and underlying ROE increased to 14.0% reflecting higher earnings. SLF Inc. and its wholly-owned holding companies ended the quarter with $2.7 billion in cash and other liquid assets.

Our strategy is focused on four key pillars of growth, where we aim to be a leader in the markets in which we operate. We detail our continued progress in the four pillars below.

A Leader in Insurance and Wealth Solutions in our Canadian Home Market
SLF Canada's reported net income was $335 million in the quarter, down $5 million compared to the same period in 2017, primarily reflecting less favourable market related impacts. Underlying net income of $251 million was up $29 million from the same period in 2017, driven by favourable investment experience and business growth, partially offset by a decrease in new business gains.

SLF Canada insurance sales were down 6%, primarily as a result of large case sales in Group Benefits in 2017. SLF Canada wealth sales for the third quarter of 2018 were down slightly compared to the same period last year. Individual wealth sales increased by 15% due to continued growth of our wealth manufactured(2) products, largely offset by Group Retirement Services sales due to large case sales in 2017.

In October, we announced our investment in, and strategic relationship with, Rise People Inc., Canada's first all-in-one human resources, payroll, and benefits administration solution. This collaboration will develop new digital connections and services that simplify administration and engage employees. In the quarter, we also introduced Integrated Health Insights Reporting, which uses data and analytics to provide customized insights and specific recommendations to help Group Benefits Clients manage their organizational health from both a cost and an employee wellness perspective.

________________________

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Represents individual wealth products developed by Sun Life Financial, which include Sun Life Global Investments mutual funds, Sun Life Guaranteed Investment Funds segregated funds, Guaranteed Investment Certificates, and Accumulation and Payout Annuities.

 

A Leader in U.S. Group Benefits
SLF U.S.'s reported net loss was $267 million, compared to the $72 million net income earned in Q3 2017, due to ACMA(1) primarily related to changes in assumptions for policyholder behaviour in In-force Management. Underlying net income of $139 million was up $18 million from the same period in the prior year, benefiting from the lower income tax rate in the U.S. and favourable investment experience, partially offset by less favourable mortality experience. The after-tax profit margin for Group Benefits(2) was 6.4% as of the third quarter of 2018, compared to 4.5% as of the third quarter of 2017.

SLF U.S. Group Benefits sales decreased 14% compared to the third quarter of 2017 as a result of a decrease in medical stop-loss sales, partially offset by growth in employee benefits sales.

The U.S. business released its annual stop-loss research report, providing brokers and employers with deep understanding into high-cost medical conditions and healthcare trends and providing them with data based, actionable insights. We also marked an integration milestone from our 2016 employee benefits acquisition, by transitioning the final product to the SLF U.S. group benefits portfolio.

A Leader in Global Asset Management
SLF Asset Management's reported net income of $241 million was up 30% from the third quarter of 2017, and underlying net income of $251 million was up 23% from the third quarter of 2017. Both increases were largely driven by the lower income tax rate in the U.S., expense management, and higher average net assets. The pre-tax net operating profit margin ratio(1) for MFS Investment Management ("MFS") was 40% in the third quarter of 2018.

SLF Asset Management ended the third quarter with $687.2 billion in assets under management, consisting of $625.9 billion (US$485.0 billion) in MFS and $61.3 billion in Sun Life Investment Management ("SLIM"). MFS experienced net outflows of US$7.3 billion in the quarter, and SLIM generated $521 million of net inflows.

At the end of the third quarter of 2018, 66%, 82% and 88% of MFS's U.S. retail fund assets ranked in the top half of their Lipper categories based on three-, five-, and ten-year performance, respectively.

A Leader in Asia through Distribution Excellence in Higher Growth Markets
SLF Asia's reported net income of $164 million was lower than the third quarter of 2017 due to unfavourable market related impacts. Underlying net income of $110 million was down $20 million from the third quarter of 2017, reflecting higher new business strain and lower realized gains from available for sale assets, partially offset by business growth.

SLF Asia insurance sales were $202 million in the third quarter of 2018, up 7% compared to the third quarter of 2017, led by growth in India, primarily from a new bancassurance relationship, and the Philippines, driven by agency productivity. SLF Asia wealth sales of $1.9 billion were down by 47% in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017, primarily as a result of market volatility in India and the Philippines. This was partially offset by higher sales in our Hong Kong Mandatory Provident Fund ("MPF") business, where we maintained our 4th place ranking in the industry based on assets under management.

Our Hong Kong MPF business earned the top ranking from Mercer's inaugural MPF Provider Satisfaction Rankings Report for the twelve months ended June 30, 2018 (3). This ranking reflects our strong fund performance as well as Client value-added services, including financial wellness education and e-alerts for our Clients, enabling them to better understand their MPF and enjoy an improved service experience. We continue to have strong brand recognition in the Philippines, where we are the only life insurance company to achieve recognition in Campaign Asia-Pacific's Top 100 Brands(4).

____________________________             

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Based on underlying net income, on a trailing four quarters basis, and is described in section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(3)

Based on a 12-month average of the Mercer's MPF Satisfaction Index (MPF SI), a monthly survey conducted by Nielsen, interviewing more than 2,000 respondents in Hong Kong's working population per year.

(4)

The Philippines' Top 100 Brands is part of an annual region-wide study, titled "Asia's Top 1000 Brands", presented by Campaign Asia-Pacific and based on an exclusive survey conducted by Nielsen in the Philippines for 2018.

 

Sun Life Financial Inc.

For the period ended: September 30th, 2018
Dated November 7th, 2018

Table of Contents

A.

How We Report Our Results

B.

Financial Summary

C.

Profitability

D.

Growth

E.

Financial Strength

F.

Performance by Business Group

 

1.

SLF Canada

 

2.

SLF U.S

 

3.

SLF Asset Management

 

4.

SLF Asia

 

5.

Corporate

G.

Investments

H.

Risk Management

I.

Additional Financial Disclosure

J.

Legal and Regulatory Matters

K.

Changes in Accounting Policies

L.

Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

M.

Non-IFRS Financial Measures

N.

Forward-looking Statements

 

About Sun Life Financial
Sun Life Financial Inc. ("SLF Inc.") is a leading international financial services organization providing insurance, wealth and asset management solutions to individual and corporate Clients. Sun Life Financial has 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 September 30, 2018, Sun Life Financial had total assets under management ("AUM") of $984 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.

A. How We Report Our Results

Sun Life Financial Inc. ("SLF Inc."), its subsidiaries and, where applicable, its joint ventures and associates 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."), Sun Life Financial Asset Management ("SLF Asset Management"), Sun Life Financial Asia ("SLF Asia"), and Corporate. 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, and "Consolidated Financial Statements" collectively) and annual management's discussion and analysis ("MD&A"). Effective the first quarter of 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia. We prepare our unaudited Interim Consolidated Financial Statements using International Financial Reporting Standards ("IFRS"), and in accordance with the International Accounting Standard ("IAS") 34 Interim Financial Reporting. Reported net income (loss) refers to Common shareholders' net income (loss) determined in accordance with IFRS.

The information in this document is in Canadian dollars unless otherwise noted.

1. 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 available in section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document. Non-IFRS Financial Measures and reconciliations are also included in our annual and interim MD&A and the Supplementary Financial Information packages that are available on www.sunlife.com under Investors – Financial results and reports.

2. Forward-looking Statements
Certain statements in this document are 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. Additional information concerning forward-looking statements and important risk factors that could cause our assumptions, estimates, expectations and projections to be inaccurate and our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by such forward-looking statements can be found in section N - Forward-looking Statements in this document.

3. Additional Information
Additional information about SLF Inc. can be found in the Consolidated Financial Statements, the annual and interim MD&A and SLF Inc.'s Annual Information Form ("AIF") for the year ended December 31, 2017. 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.

B. Financial Summary

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

Q3'18

Q2'18

Q3'17

 

2018

2017

  Profitability   

Net income (loss)

           
 

Reported net income (loss)

567

706

817

 

1,942

1,942

 

Underlying net income (loss)(1)

730

729

643

 

2,229

1,905

Diluted Earnings per share ("EPS") ($)

           
 

Reported EPS (diluted)

0.93

1.16

1.32

 

3.18

3.16

 

Underlying EPS (diluted)(1)

1.20

1.20

1.05

 

3.66

3.10

Reported basic EPS ($)

0.94

1.16

1.33

 

3.19

3.17

Return on equity ("ROE") (%)

           
 

Reported ROE(1)

10.8%

13.5%

16.2%

 

12.5%

12.8%

 

Underlying ROE(1)

14.0%

14.0%

12.7%

 

14.3%

12.6%

  Growth   

Sales

           
 

Insurance sales(1)

577

633

599

 

1,875

1,936

 

Wealth sales(1)

29,832

30,804

35,826

 

100,461

110,014

Value of new business(1)

244

266

224

 

844

703

Premiums and deposits

           
 

Net premium revenue

4,369

4,315

3,716

 

13,329

11,203

 

Segregated fund deposits

2,692

2,703

2,235

 

8,790

8,178

 

Mutual fund sales(1)

18,746

19,265

20,721

 

62,067

66,186

 

Managed fund sales(1)

7,962

8,967

11,674

 

29,274

32,923

 

ASO(2) premium and deposit equivalents(1)

1,693

1,767

1,805

 

5,135

5,224

Total premiums and deposits(1)

35,462

37,017

40,151

 

118,595

123,714

Assets under management  ("AUM")

           
 

General fund assets

162,439

164,709

158,757

 

162,439

158,757

 

Segregated funds

108,298

108,692

102,237

 

108,298

102,237

 

Mutual funds, managed funds and other AUM(1)

712,782

712,719

672,601

 

712,782

672,601

Total AUM(1)

983,519

986,120

933,595

 

983,519

933,595

Financial
Strength   

LICAT ratios(3)(4)

           
 

Sun Life Financial Inc.

145%

149%

n/a

 

145%

n/a

 

Sun Life Assurance(5)

130%

134%

n/a

 

130%

n/a

Financial leverage ratio(1)

21.9%

21.8%

22.5%

 

21.9%

22.5%

Dividend

           
 

Dividend payout ratio(1)

40%

40%

41%

 

39%

42%

 

Dividends per common share ($)

0.475

0.475

0.435

 

1.405

1.290

Capital

           
 

Subordinated debt and innovative capital instruments(6)

3,738

3,737

3,736

 

3,738

3,736

 

Participating policyholders' equity and non-controlling interests

802

517

633

 

802

633

 

Total shareholders' equity

22,834

23,216

22,298

 

22,834

22,298

Total capital

27,374

27,470

26,667

 

27,374

26,667

Average common shares outstanding (millions)

606

607

613

 

608

613

Closing common shares outstanding (millions)

603.3

607.0

611.9

 

603.3

611.9

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Administrative Services Only ("ASO").

(3)

Life Insurance Capital Adequacy Test ("LICAT") ratio.

(4)

LICAT ratios are not applicable before January 1, 2018; we previously used the Minimum Continuing Capital and Surplus Requirements ("MCCSR") guideline, the former capital regulatory guideline.

(5)

Sun Life Assurance Company of Canada ("Sun Life Assurance") is SLF Inc.'s principal operating life insurance subsidiary.

(6)

Innovative capital instruments consist of Sun Life ExchangEable Capital Securities, and qualify as regulatory capital. However, under IFRS they are reported as Senior debentures in the SLF Inc. Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information, see section I - Capital and Liquidity Management - 1 - Capital in our 2017 annual MD&A.

 

C. Profitability

The following table reconciles our reported net income and underlying net income. The table also sets out the impact that other notable items had on our reported net income and underlying net income. All factors discussed in this document that impact our underlying net income are also applicable to reported net income.

 

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions, after-tax)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Reported net income

567

 

706

 

817

 

1,942

 

1,942

 

Market related impacts(1)

25

 

8

 

113

 

(35)

 

50

 

Assumption changes and management actions(2)

(166)

 

1

 

103

 

(168)

 

115

 

Other adjustments(1)

(22)

 

(32)

 

(42)

 

(84)

 

(128)

Underlying net income(2)

730

 

729

 

643

 

2,229

 

1,905

Reported ROE(2)

10.8%

 

13.5%

 

16.2%

 

12.5%

 

12.8%

Underlying ROE(2)

14.0%

 

14.0%

 

12.7%

 

14.3%

 

12.6%

Impact of other notable items on reported and underlying net income

Experience related items(3)

                 
 

Impact of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities

29

 

30

 

12

 

107

 

71

 

Mortality

15

 

6

 

30

 

5

 

59

 

Morbidity

8

 

43

 

3

 

63

 

15

 

Credit

22

 

6

 

22

 

49

 

51

 

Lapse and other policyholder behaviour

(7)

 

(9)

 

(12)

 

(45)

 

(37)

 

Expenses(4)

(6)

 

(26)

 

(10)

 

(36)

 

(4)

 

Other(4)

(11)

 

(5)

 

(12)

 

46

 

(52)

 

(1)

See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document for a breakdown of components within this adjustment.

(2)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures.

(3)

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.

(4)

Expense experience has been revised to exclude certain project spending, which is now presented in Other. Prior periods have been conformed to this presentation.

 

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017

Our reported net income of $567 million in the third quarter of 2018 decreased $250 million compared to the same quarter in 2017, largely due to unfavourable assumption changes and management actions ("ACMA") of $269 million and less favourable market related impacts of $88 million. Underlying net income in the third quarter of 2018 increased $87 million to $730 million, compared to the third quarter in 2017, primarily driven by business growth, the lower income tax rate in the U.S., higher investment income on surplus assets, and experience related items as described below, partially offset by unfavourable new business strain in SLF Asia and in SLF Canada.

1.    Market related impacts
Market related impacts in the third quarter of 2018 were less favourable compared to the same period last year, primarily driven by less favourable changes in interest rates, the fair value of investment properties, and net equity markets.

2.    Assumption changes and management actions
Due to the long-term nature of our business, we make certain judgments involving assumptions and estimates to value our obligations to policyholders. The valuation of these obligations is recorded in our financial statements as insurance contract liabilities and investment contract liabilities and requires us to make assumptions about equity market performance, interest rates, asset default, mortality and morbidity experience rates, lapse and other policyholder behaviour experience, expenses and inflation and other factors over the life of our products.

We review assumptions each year, generally in the third quarter, as we did this year, and revise these assumptions if appropriate. We consider our actual experience in current and past periods relative to our assumptions as part of our annual review.

During the third quarter of 2018, the net impact of ACMA resulted in a decrease of $166 million to reported net income, compared to an increase of $103 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Assumption changes and management actions by type
The following table sets out the impact of ACMA on our net income in the third quarter of 2018.

Q3'18

Quarterly

($ millions, after-tax)

Impact on
net income(1)

Comments

Mortality/morbidity

296

Updates to reflect mortality/morbidity experience in all jurisdictions. The largest items were favourable mortality in SLF Asia International, SLF Canada Group Retirement Services and SLF U.K.

     

Lapse and other policyholder behaviour

(454)

Updates to lapse and policyholder behaviour in all jurisdictions. The largest items, which all had unfavourable impacts, were updated policyholder assumptions in SLF U.S. and SLF Asia International.

     

Expenses

(21)

Updates to reflect expense experience in all jurisdictions.

     

Investment returns

(18)

Updates to various investment related assumptions across the Company.

     

Model enhancements and other

31

Various enhancements and methodology changes across all jurisdictions. The largest items were a favourable change to the provisions in the SLF Canada and SLF U.S. participating accounts partially offset by a strengthening of reinsurance provisions in SLF U.S.

Total impact on net income(2)

(166)

 

(1)

Assumption changes and management actions is included in reported net income and is presented as an adjustment to arrive at underlying net income.

(2)

In this table, assumption changes and management actions represent the shareholders' net income impact (after-tax) including management actions. In Note 6.A of our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements, the impact of method and assumptions changes represents the change in shareholder and participating policyholder insurance contract liabilities net of reinsurance assets (pre-tax) and does not include management actions. Further information can also be found in section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

3.    Other adjustments
Other adjustments decreased reported net income by $22 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to a decrease of $42 million in the third quarter of 2017, reflecting fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards, lower acquisition, integration and restructuring costs, and certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting.

4.    Experience related items
Compared to the prior year, experience related items reflected more favourable impacts of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities and the less favourable impact of mortality experience in SLF U.S.

5.    Income taxes
Our statutory tax rate is normally reduced by various tax benefits, such as lower taxes on income subject to tax in foreign jurisdictions, a range of tax-exempt investment income, and other sustainable tax benefits that are expected to decrease our effective tax rate to a range of 15% to 20%.

In the third quarter of 2018, our effective income tax rates on reported net income and underlying net income(1) were 17.3% and 19.1% compared to 19.7% and 23.5% in the third quarter of 2017, respectively.

6.    Impact of foreign exchange rates
During the third quarter of 2018, our reported net income and underlying net income increased by $6 million and $18 million, respectively, as a result of the impact of the movement of the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of 2018 relative to the average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017.

_________________

(1)

Our effective income tax rate on underlying net income is calculated using underlying net income and income tax expense associated with underlying net income, which excludes amounts attributable to participating policyholders.

 

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)

Our reported net income was $1,942 million for the first nine months of 2018 and for the first nine months of 2017. Underlying net income was $2,229 million for the first nine months of 2018 compared to $1,905 million in the first nine months of 2017. Reported and underlying net income reflected business growth, the lower income tax rate in the U.S, higher investment income on surplus assets, lower interest on subordinated debt, and experience related items as described below.

1.     Market related impacts
Market related impacts in aggregate in the first nine months of 2018 were unfavourable, compared to the first nine months of 2017, predominantly as a result of net equity market impacts.

2.   Assumption changes and management actions
ACMA decreased net income by $168 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared to an increase to net income of $115 million in the first nine months of 2017. ACMA was primarily driven by the impact of ACMA in the third quarter of 2018, discussed in the previous section Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017. See Section M - Non-IFRS measures in this document for more details including references to notable impacts in 2017.

3.   Other adjustments
Other adjustments in the first nine months of 2018 reduced reported net income by $84 million compared to a reduction of $128 million in the same period last year, primarily driven by favourable changes related to certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting and fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards.

4.   Experience related items
In the first quarter of 2018, the seed capital that was transferred to the participating account at demutualization was transferred back to the shareholder account, along with accrued investment income. The results include the investment income of $110 million - $75 million in SLF Canada and $35 million in SLF U.S. ("interest on par seed capital") - which is presented in experience related items - other. Additional information can be found in Note 10 of the third quarter 2018 Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.

Experience related items in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017 also reflected less favourable mortality experience and unfavourable expenses driven by investment in growing our businesses, partially offset by more favourable morbidity experience, predominantly in SLF U.S., and favourable impacts of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities.

5.   Income Taxes
Our statutory tax rate is normally reduced by various tax benefits, such as lower taxes on income subject to tax in foreign jurisdictions, a range of tax-exempt investment income, and other sustainable tax benefits that are expected to decrease our effective tax rate to a range of 15% to 20%.

For the first nine months of 2018, our effective tax rates on reported and underlying net income(1) were 17.7% and 17.3%, respectively, compared to 14.1% and 20.1%, respectively, for the first nine months of 2017.

6.   Impact of Foreign Exchange Rates
During the first nine months of 2018, our reported net income and underlying net income decreased by $15 million and $25 million, respectively, as a result of the impact of the movement of the Canadian dollar in the first nine months of 2018 relative to the average exchange rates in the first nine months of 2017.

_________________

(1)

Our effective income tax rate on underlying net income is calculated using underlying net income and income tax expense associated with underlying net income, which excludes amounts attributable to participating policyholders.

 

D. Growth

1.    Sales and Value of New Business

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Insurance sales(1)

                 
 

SLF Canada

203

 

266

 

217

 

765

 

898

 

SLF U.S.(2)

172

 

155

 

193

 

463

 

479

 

SLF Asia(2)

202

 

212

 

189

 

647

 

559

Total insurance sales(1)

577

 

633

 

599

 

1,875

 

1,936

Wealth sales(1)

                 
 

SLF Canada

3,539

 

3,039

 

3,609

 

10,403

 

11,793

 

SLF Asia

1,928

 

2,502

 

3,607

 

8,166

 

9,453

Total wealth sales excluding SLF Asset Management(1)

5,467

 

5,541

 

7,216

 

18,569

 

21,246

 

SLF Asset Management sales(1)

24,365

 

25,263

 

28,610

 

81,892

 

88,768

Total wealth sales(1)

29,832

 

30,804

 

35,826

 

100,461

 

110,014

Value of New Business(1)("VNB")

244

 

266

 

224

 

844

 

703

(1) 

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Effective January 1, 2018 we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia, and balances in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation. For further information, see section F - Performance by Business Group in this document.

 

Total Company insurance sales were $577 million in the third quarter of 2018, down 4% (5% on a constant currency basis) compared to the same period in 2017.

  • SLF Canada insurance sales decreased, mainly driven by fewer large case sales in Group Benefits ("GB") while individual insurance sales were slightly higher
  • SLF U.S. insurance sales decreased, due to a reduction in medical stop-loss sales
  • SLF Asia insurance sales were up 7% on a constant currency basis, led by growth in India, primarily from a new bancassurance relationship, and the Philippines, driven by agency productivity.

 

Total Company wealth sales were $29.8 billion in the third quarter of 2018, down 17% (19% on a constant currency basis) compared to the third quarter of 2017.

  • SLF Canada wealth sales were down slightly, due to large case sales in Group Retirement Services ("GRS") in 2017, largely offset by an increase in individual wealth sales
  • SLF Asia wealth sales were down, largely as a result of lower sales from market volatility in India and the Philippines
  • SLF Asset Management gross sales were lower, largely attributable to lower managed fund sales in MFS and Sun Life Investment Management ("SLIM") partially offset by the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar

 

The Company's VNB was $244 million in the third quarter of 2018, up 9% compared to the third quarter of 2017, driven by new business contracts and improved mix in SLF U.S., partially offset by lower sales volume in SLF Asia in International.

2.  Premiums and Deposits

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

Q2'18

Q3'17

 

2018

2017

Net premium revenue

4,369

4,315

3,716

 

13,329

11,203

Segregated fund deposits

2,692

2,703

2,235

 

8,790

8,178

Mutual fund sales(1)

18,746

19,265

20,721

 

62,067

66,186

Managed fund sales(1)

7,962

8,967

11,674

 

29,274

32,923

ASO premium and deposit equivalents(1)

1,693

1,767

1,805

 

5,135

5,224

Total premiums and deposits(1)

35,462

37,017

40,151

 

118,595

123,714

Total adjusted premiums and deposits(1)(2)

34,594

36,400

40,919

 

120,806

125,979

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Adjusted premiums and deposits is 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 section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

Net premium revenue was $4.4 billion, up $0.7 billion from the third quarter of 2017, primarily driven by the impact of the partial recapture of a reinsurance agreement in GB in SLF Canada, and the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar. Net premium revenue was $13.3 billion in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $11.2 billion in the same period of 2017. The increase was primarily driven by the impact of the partial recapture of a reinsurance agreement in GB and increases in Individual Insurance & Wealth, both in SLF Canada, partially offset by the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar.

Segregated fund deposits were $2.7 billion in the third quarter of 2018, up $0.5 billion from the third quarter of 2017, primarily driven by increases in GRS in SLF Canada, and Hong Kong and the Philippines in SLF Asia. Segregated fund deposits were $8.8 billion in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $8.2 billion in the same period last year, primarily driven by increases in both Individual Insurance & Wealth and GRS in Canada as well as Hong Kong and the Philippines in SLF Asia.

Sales of mutual funds were $18.7 billion in the third quarter of 2018, down $2.0 billion from the third quarter of 2017, largely reflecting lower sales in India and the Philippines in SLF Asia, as well as lower sales from MFS, partially offset by the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar. Sales of mutual funds were $62.1 billion for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $66.2 billion in the same period in 2017. The lower mutual fund sales were primarily attributable to lower sales in MFS and SLF Asia, as well as the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar, partially offset by higher sales in SLF Canada.

Managed fund sales of $8.0 billion in the third quarter of 2018 decreased by $3.7 billion from the third quarter of 2017, primarily due to lower sales in MFS and SLIM, partially offset by the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar and higher sales in Hong Kong in SLF Asia. Sales of managed funds were $29.3 billion for the first nine months of 2018, down from $32.9 billion in the same period in 2017, primarily driven by decreases in MFS and SLIM sales, as well as the currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar, partially offset by increased sales in Hong Kong in SLF Asia.

ASO premium and deposit equivalents in the third quarter of 2018 and for the first nine months of 2018 decreased compared to the same periods in 2017, reflecting lower premium and deposit equivalents in SLF Canada.

The currency impact for total premium and deposits for the third quarter of 2018 from the change in the Canadian dollar relative to average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017 increased total premiums and deposits by approximately $1.0 billion. The currency impact for total premium and deposits for the first nine months of 2018 from the change in the Canadian dollar relative to average exchange rates in the first nine months of 2017 decreased total premiums and deposits by approximately $1.8 billion.

3.  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.

 

Quarterly results

($ millions)

Q3'18

Q2'18

Q1'18

Q4'17

Q3'17

Assets under management(1)

         
 

General fund assets

162,439

164,709

163,499

162,720

158,757

 

Segregated funds

108,298

108,692

106,221

106,392

102,237

 

Mutual funds, managed funds and other AUM(1)

712,782

712,719

709,206

705,673

672,601

Total AUM(1)

983,519

986,120

978,926

974,785

933,595

(1)  Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

AUM were $983.5 billion as at September 30, 2018, compared to AUM of $974.8 billion as at December 31, 2017. The increase in AUM of $8.7 billion between December 31, 2017 and September 30, 2018 resulted primarily from:

(i)  

an increase of $21.8 billion from favourable market movements;

(ii) 

an increase of $14.5 billion from the weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to exchange rates at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017; and

(iii) 

an increase of $2.0 billion of other business activities; partially offset by

(iv) 

net outflows of mutual, managed, and segregated funds of $26.9 billion.

 

For the third quarter of 2018, net outflows of mutual, managed and segregated funds were $8.9 billion, predominantly driven by net outflows from MFS of $9.5 billion, partially offset by net inflows of $0.3 billion from SLF Canada and $0.5 billion from SLIM.

E. Financial Strength

 

Quarterly results

 

Q3'18

Q2'18

Q1'18

Q4'17

Q3'17

LICAT ratio(1)

         
 

Sun Life Financial Inc.

145%

149%

149%

n/a

n/a

 

Sun Life Assurance

130%

134%

139%

n/a

n/a

Financial leverage ratio(2)

21.9%

21.8%

22.2%

23.6%

22.5%

Dividend

         
 

Dividend payout ratio(2)

40%

40%

36%

43%

41%

 

Dividends per common share ($)

0.475

0.475

0.455

0.455

0.435

Capital

         
 

Subordinated debt and innovative capital instruments(3)

3,738

3,737

3,736

4,136

3,736

 

Participating policyholders' equity and non-controlling interests

802

517

475

650

633

 

Preferred shareholders' equity

2,257

2,257

2,257

2,257

2,257

 

Common shareholders' equity

20,577

20,959

20,547

20,064

20,041

Total capital

27,374

27,470

27,015

27,107

26,667

(1) 

LICAT ratios are not applicable before January 1, 2018.

(2)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(3)

Innovative capital instruments consist of Sun Life ExchangEable Capital Securities, and qualify as regulatory capital. However, under IFRS they are reported as Senior debentures in our Consolidated Financial Statements. For additional information see, section  I - Capital and Liquidity Management - 1 - Capital in our 2017 annual MD&A.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, The Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions ("OSFI") has replaced the MCCSR capital adequacy guideline with the LICAT. As indicated by OSFI, the LICAT is an evolution of OSFI's regulatory capital expectations, as it represents a more advanced and risk-sensitive approach to capital.

SLF Inc. is a non-operating insurance company and is subject to the LICAT guideline. As at September 30, 2018, SLF Inc.'s LICAT ratio was 145%, which is well above OSFI's regulatory minimum ratio of 90%.

Sun Life Assurance, SLF Inc.'s principal operating life insurance subsidiary, is also subject to the LICAT guideline. As at September 30, 2018, Sun Life Assurance's LICAT ratio was 130%, well above OSFI's supervisory ratio of 100% and regulatory minimum ratio of 90%. In the third quarter of 2018, the Sun Life Assurance ratio decreased by 4% primarily due to ACMA, partially offset by capital generated from the businesses of Sun Life Assurance net of dividends to SLF Inc.

SLF Inc.'s total capital consists of subordinated debt and other capital instruments, participating policyholders' equity, and total shareholders' equity, which includes common shareholders' equity and preferred shareholders' equity. As at September 30, 2018, total capital was $27.4 billion, compared to $27.1 billion as at December 31, 2017. The increase in total capital was primarily the result of total net income of $1,942 million, change in participating policyholder's equity of $152 million, and foreign currency translation gain of $136 million included in other comprehensive income (loss), partially offset by the repayment of $400 million of subordinated debentures detailed below, payment of $853 million of dividends on common shares of SLF Inc. ("common shares"), unrealized losses on available-for-sale ("AFS") assets of $371 million, and $406 million from the repurchase and cancellation of common shares.

SLF Inc. and its wholly-owned holding companies had $2.7 billion in cash and other liquid assets(1) as at September 30, 2018 ($2.0 billion as at December 31, 2017). The increase in cash and other liquid assets in these holding companies in the first nine months of 2018 was primarily attributable to the dividends from the operating companies including Sun Life Assurance, which were partially offset by $406 million from the repurchase and cancellation of common shares and the repayment of $400 million of subordinated debentures.

On January 30, 2018, SLF Inc. redeemed all of the outstanding $400 million principal amount of Series 2008-1 Subordinated Unsecured 5.59% Fixed/Floating Debentures at a redemption price equal to the principal amount together with accrued and unpaid interest to that date.

Normal Course Issuer Bid
On August 14, 2018, SLF Inc. renewed its normal course issuer bid. This normal course issuer bid remains in effect until the earlier of August 13, 2019 and the date on which SLF Inc. has purchased an aggregate of 14.0 million common shares under the bid. During the third quarter of 2018, SLF Inc. purchased and canceled approximately 3.8 million common shares at a total cost of $200 million, including approximately 0.2 million common shares at a cost of $10 million that were purchased and canceled under SLF Inc.'s previous normal course issuer bid which terminated on August 13, 2018. During the first nine months of 2018, SLF Inc. purchased and canceled approximately 7.7 million common shares at a total cost of $406 million.

______________
(1) Other liquid assets include cash equivalents, short-term investments, and publicly traded securities.

 

F. Performance by Business Group

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Reported net income (loss)

                 
 

SLF Canada

335

 

262

 

340

 

846

 

791

 

SLF U.S.(1)

(267)

 

105

 

72

 

(66)

 

(81)

 

SLF Asset Management

241

 

214

 

185

 

665

 

539

 

SLF Asia(1)

164

 

133

 

216

 

430

 

657

 

Corporate

94

 

(8)

 

4

 

67

 

36

Total reported net income (loss)

567

 

706

 

817

 

1,942

 

1,942

Underlying net income (loss)(2)

                 
 

SLF Canada

251

 

245

 

222

 

791

 

717

 

SLF U.S.(1)

139

 

125

 

121

 

393

 

281

 

SLF Asset Management

251

 

216

 

204

 

698

 

586

 

SLF Asia(1)

110

 

145

 

130

 

383

 

350

 

Corporate

(21)

 

(2)

 

(34)

 

(36)

 

(29)

Total underlying net income (loss)(2)

730

 

729

 

643

 

2,229

 

1,905

(1)

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia as described below, and comparative figures in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation.

(2)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

Information describing the business groups and their respective business units is included in our 2017 annual MD&A. All factors discussed in this document that impact our underlying net income are also applicable to reported net income.

Effective in the first quarter of 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia. By combining our SLF Asia and International capabilities, we expect to accelerate the development of our high net worth insurance business in Asia. The U.S. will focus on growing our U.S. group benefits business and managing the in-force block of U.S. individual insurance.

1. SLF Canada

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Individual Insurance & Wealth

143

 

105

 

211

 

355

 

373

Group Benefits

51

 

103

 

74

 

223

 

254

Group Retirement Services

141

 

54

 

55

 

268

 

164

Reported net income (loss)

335

 

262

 

340

 

846

 

791

 

Market related impacts

46

 

15

 

90

 

17

 

46

 

Assumption changes and management actions

39

 

5

 

34

 

37

 

46

 

Other adjustments(1)

(1)

 

(3)

 

(6)

 

1

 

(18)

Underlying net income (loss)(2)

251

 

245

 

222

 

791

 

717

Reported ROE (%)(2)(3)

19.4

 

15.5

 

17.7

 

16.7

 

13.7

Underlying ROE (%)(2)(3)

14.5

 

14.5

 

11.6

 

15.6

 

12.4

Insurance sales(2)

203

 

266

 

217

 

765

 

898

Wealth sales(2)

3,539

 

3,039

 

3,609

 

10,403

 

11,793

(1)

Mainly comprised of Certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting. For further information, see section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(3) 

The adoption of LICAT impacted the capital allocation for SLF Canada. As a result, reported and underlying ROEs increased approximately 1.6% and 1.8%, respectively, in both the third quarter and year-to-date of 2018.

 

Profitability

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF Canada's reported net income was $335 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $340 million in the third quarter of 2017. Underlying net income in the third quarter of 2018 was $251 million, compared to $222 million in the third quarter of 2017.

Reported net income in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017 resulted from less favourable market related impacts, which included less favourable impacts from interest rates and changes in the fair value of investment properties. Underlying net income in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period in 2017 increased, driven by investment experience and business growth primarily in GRS, partially offset by a decrease in new business gains.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
Reported net income was $846 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $791 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. Underlying net income was $791 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $717 million in the same period last year.

Reported net income in the first nine months of 2018 increased $55 million compared to the first nine months of 2017, reflecting less favourable market related impacts, primarily unfavourable equity impacts, partially offset by less unfavourable net interest rate impacts. Underlying net income in the first nine months of 2018 increased $74 million compared to the first nine months of 2017 largely due to interest on par seed capital, business growth, and favourable investment experience, partially offset by a decrease in new business gains and less favourable mortality.

Growth

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF Canada individual insurance sales in the third quarter of 2018 of $90 million were slightly higher than $87 million in the same period last year. Sales in GB of $113 million decreased by 13% compared to the third quarter of 2017 as a result of large case sales in 2017.

SLF Canada wealth sales for the third quarter of 2018 were down slightly compared to the same period last year. Individual wealth sales increased by 15% due to continued growth of our wealth manufactured(1) products, more than offset by an 11% decrease in GRS due to large case sales in 2017.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)

SLF Canada individual insurance sales were $288 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $331 million in the same period last year, following strong sales in the first quarter of 2017 as a result of tax legislation and product design changes. Sales in GB of $477 million decreased 16% compared to the first nine months of 2017, driven by several large case sales in 2017.

SLF Canada wealth sales were $10.4 billion in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $11.8 billion in the same period last year. Individual wealth sales of $4.8 billion were up 8% in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the same period last year, driven by continued growth in our wealth manufactured(1) products. GRS sales of $5.6 billion were down 24% over the first nine months in 2017 due to lower market activity.

                                         

(1)

Represents individual wealth products developed by Sun Life Financial, which include Sun Life Global Investments mutual funds, Sun Life Guaranteed Investment Funds segregated funds, Guaranteed Investment Certificates, and Accumulation and Payout Annuities.

 

2. SLF U.S.

 

Quarterly results(1)

 

Year-to-date(1)

(US$ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Group Benefits

68

 

57

 

86

 

158

 

110

In-force Management

(273)

 

24

 

(29)

 

(206)

 

(168)

Reported net income (loss)

(205)

 

81

 

57

 

(48)

 

(58)

Market related impacts(2)

(4)

 

(1)

 

2

 

(25)

 

(19)

Assumption changes and management actions(1)(3)

(301)

 

(3)

 

(30)

 

(302)

 

(210)

Acquisition, integration and restructuring(3)

(6)

 

(12)

 

(12)

 

(26)

 

(44)

Underlying net income (loss)(3)

106

 

97

 

97

 

305

 

215

Reported ROE (%)(3)

(30.6)

 

11.7

 

8.8

 

(2.3)

 

(3.0)

Underlying ROE (%)(3)

15.7

 

14.0

 

14.9

 

14.9

 

11.2

After-tax profit margin for Group Benefits (%)(3)

6.4

 

6.5

 

4.5

 

6.4

 

4.5

Insurance sales(3)

132

 

120

 

154

 

360

 

369

(C$ millions)

                 

Reported net income (loss)

(267)

 

105

 

72

 

(66)

 

(81)

Underlying net income (loss)(3)

139

 

125

 

121

 

393

 

281

(1)

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia, and comparative figures in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation. For further information, see earlier in this section.

(2)

See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document for a breakdown of the components.

(3)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

Profitability

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF U.S.'s reported net loss was US$205 million ($267 million) in the third quarter of 2018, compared to reported net income of US$57 million ($72 million) in the third quarter of 2017. Underlying net income was US$106 million ($139 million), compared to US$97 million ($121 million) in the third quarter of 2017. The impact from the movement of the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of 2018 relative to average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017 increased reported net loss by $11 million and increased underlying net income by $6 million.

Reported net income in the third quarter of 2018 reflected unfavourable ACMA of US$301 million, primarily related to changes in assumptions for policyholder behaviour in In-force Management, compared to unfavourable ACMA of US$30 million in the third quarter of 2017. Underlying net income improved compared to the third quarter of 2017, benefiting from the lower income tax rate in the U.S. and favourable investment experience, partially offset by less favourable mortality experience in Group Benefits.

The after-tax profit margin for Group Benefits(1) was 6.4% as of the third quarter of 2018, compared to 4.5% as of the third quarter of 2017.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
SLF U.S.'s reported net loss was US$48 million ($66 million) for the first nine months of 2018, compared to reported net loss of US$58 million ($81 million) for the same period last year. Underlying net income was US$305 million ($393 million) in the first nine months of 2018, compared to US$215 million ($281 million) in the same period of 2017. The impact from the movement in the Canadian dollar in the first nine months of 2018 relative to average exchange rates in the first nine months of 2017 decreased reported net loss by $1 million and decreased underlying net income by $6 million.

Reported net income in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017 reflected unfavourable ACMA impacts of US$92 million. ACMA increased the net loss in the first nine months of 2018 and 2017 by US$302 million and by US$210 million, respectively.

_____________________________
(1) Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

ACMA in 2018 was primarily driven by the impact of ACMA in the third quarter of 2018, discussed in the previous section Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017. See Section M - Non-IFRS measures in this document for more details including references to notable impacts in 2017. Underlying net income in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017 reflected favourable morbidity experience in Group Benefits, the lower income tax rate in the U.S., business growth, interest on par seed capital within In-force Management, and favourable new business gains. These items were partially offset by unfavourable mortality experience in Group Benefits.

Growth

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF U.S. Group Benefits sales of US$132 million in the third quarter of 2018 decreased 14% compared to the same quarter of 2017, as a result of a decrease in medical stop-loss sales, partially offset by growth in employee benefits sales.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
SLF U.S. Group Benefits sales of US$360 million in the first nine months of 2018 were comparable with the same period in 2017.

3. SLF Asset Management

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

SLF Asset Management (C$ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Reported net income

241

 

214

 

185

 

665

 

539

Fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards(1)

(10)

 

(2)

 

(19)

 

(33)

 

(47)

Underlying net income(1)

251

 

216

 

204

 

698

 

586

Assets under management (C$ billions)(1)

687.2

 

684.0

 

647.7

 

687.2

 

647.7

Gross sales (C$ billions)(1)

24.4

 

25.3

 

28.6

 

82.0

 

88.7

Net sales (C$ billions)(1)

(9.0)

 

(14.7)

 

(1.9)

 

(28.8)

 

(19.0)

MFS (C$ millions)

                 

Reported net income

232

 

211

 

180

 

644

 

521

Fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards(1)

(10)

 

(2)

 

(19)

 

(33)

 

(47)

Underlying net income(1)

242

 

213

 

199

 

677

 

568

Assets under management (C$ billions)(1)

625.9

 

622.5

 

591.2

 

625.9

 

591.2

Gross sales (C$ billions)(1)

22.8

 

24.1

 

26.3

 

76.4

 

80.9

Net sales (C$ billions)(1)

(9.5)

 

(14.9)

 

(3.3)

 

(29.8)

 

(23.4)

MFS (US$ millions)

                 

Reported net income

178

 

163

 

143

 

500

 

399

Fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards(1)

(8)

 

(1)

 

(16)

 

(26)

 

(37)

Underlying net income(1)

186

 

164

 

159

 

526

 

436

Pre-tax net operating profit margin ratio(1)

40%

 

36%

 

41%

 

38%

 

38%

Average net assets (US$ billions)(1)

482.9

 

480.9

 

468.2

 

486.2

 

453.1

Assets under management (US$ billions)(1)(2)

485.0

 

474.1

 

474.2

 

485.0

 

474.2

Gross sales (US$ billions)(1)

17.4

 

18.6

 

21.0

 

59.5

 

61.9

Net sales (US$ billions)(1)

(7.3)

 

(11.5)

 

(2.7)

 

(23.1)

 

(17.8)

Asset appreciation (depreciation) (US$ billions)

18.2

 

3.4

 

14.7

 

16.5

 

66.4

S&P 500 Index (daily average)

2,849

 

2,704

 

2,465

 

2,762

 

2,396

MSCI EAFE Index (daily average)

1,964

 

2,018

 

1,934

 

2,018

 

1,846

SLIM (C$ millions)

                 

Reported net income

9

 

3

 

5

 

21

 

18

Underlying net income(1)

9

 

3

 

5

 

21

 

18

Assets under management (C$ billions)(1)

61.3

 

61.5

 

56.5

 

61.3

 

56.5

Gross sales (C$ billions)(1)

1.6

 

1.2

 

2.3

 

5.5

 

7.8

Net sales (C$ billions)(1)

0.5

 

0.2

 

1.5

 

1

 

4.5

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Monthly information on AUM is provided by MFS in its Corporate Fact Sheet, which can be found at www.mfs.com/CorpFact. The Corporate Fact Sheet also provides MFS's U.S. GAAP assets and liabilities as at September 30, 2018.

 

Profitability

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF Asset Management's reported net income was $241 million in the third quarter of 2018 compared to $185 million in the third quarter of 2017. SLF Asset Management had underlying net income of $251 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $204 million in the third quarter of 2017. The impact from the movement of the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of 2018 relative to average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017 increased reported net income and underlying net income by $9 million and $10 million, respectively.

In U.S. dollars, MFS's reported net income was US$178 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to US$143 million in the third quarter of 2017. MFS's underlying net income was US$186 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to US$159 million in the third quarter of 2017. MFS's reported net income reflected favourable impacts from fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards. Underlying net income compared to the third quarter of 2017 was driven by the lower income tax rate in the U.S., expense management, and higher average net assets. MFS's pre-tax net operating profit margin ratio(1) was 40% in the third quarter of 2018.

SLIM's reported net income for the three months ended September 30, 2018 was $9 million compared to $5 million for the same period last year.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
SLF Asset Management's reported net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $665 million, compared to $539 million for the same period last year. Underlying net income was $698 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $586 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The impact from the movement of the Canadian dollar in the first nine months of 2018, relative to average exchange rates in the first nine months of 2017, decreased reported net income and underlying net income by $10 million and $11 million, respectively.

MFS's reported net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was US$500 million, compared to US$399 million for the same period last year. MFS's underlying net income was US$526 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to US$436 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017. MFS's increased underlying net income in U.S. dollars for the first nine months of 2018 was driven primarily by the lower income tax rate in the U.S. and higher average net assets.

SLIM's reported net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $21 million compared to $18 million for the same period last year.

Growth

SLF Asset Management's AUM was $687.2 billion as at September 30, 2018, compared to $677.6 billion as at December 31, 2017. The increase in AUM was primarily due to market movements, partially offset by net outflows and currency movement. MFS's AUM was US$485.0 billion ($625.9 billion) as at September 30, 2018, compared to US$491.6 billion ($618.3 billion) as at December 31, 2017. The decrease of US$6.6 billion was primarily driven by redemptions of US$82.6 billion, partially offset by gross sales of US$59.5 billion and asset appreciation of US$16.5 billion.

In the third quarter of 2018, 66%, 82% and 88% of MFS's retail fund assets ranked in the top half of their Lipper categories based on three-, five-, and ten-year performance, respectively.

SLIM's AUM was $61.3 billion as at September 30, 2018, compared to $59.3 billion as at December 31, 2017.

                                         

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

4. SLF Asia

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Insurance and Wealth

89

 

86

 

93

 

280

 

243

International(1)

75

 

47

 

123

 

150

 

414

Reported net income (loss)

164

 

133

 

216

 

430

 

657

Market related impacts(2)

(12)

 

 

12

 

(8)

 

23

Assumption changes and management actions(1)(3)

66

 

 

74

 

67

 

284

Acquisition, integration and restructuring(3)(4)

 

(12)

 

 

(12)

 

Underlying net income (loss)(3)

110

 

145

 

130

 

383

 

350

Reported ROE (%)(3)(5)

13.3

 

10.9

 

15.8

 

11.8

 

16.1

Underlying ROE (%)(3)(5)

8.9

 

11.8

 

9.5

 

10.5

 

8.6

Insurance sales(3)

202

 

212

 

189

 

647

 

559

Wealth sales(3)

1,928

 

2,502

 

3,607

 

8,166

 

9,453

(1)

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia, and comparative figures in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation. For further information, see earlier in this section.

(2)

See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document for a breakdown of the components.

(3)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(4)

Pertains to a distribution arrangement in India for asset management.

(5)

As a result of a revision of the capital allocation model for SLF Asia, reported and underlying ROEs for the third quarter of 2018 increased by 1.6% and 1.2%, respectively, in both the third quarter and year-to-date of 2018.

 

Profitability

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF Asia's reported net income was $164 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to reported net income of $216 million in the third quarter of 2017. Underlying net income was $110 million, compared to $130 million in the third quarter of 2017. The impact of the movement of the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of 2018 relative to average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017 increased both reported net income and underlying net income by $1 million.

Reported net income in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017 predominantly reflected unfavourable market related impacts and less favourable ACMA impacts. Underlying net income in the third quarter of 2018, compared to the third quarter of 2017, reflected higher new business strain, unfavourable variance in realized gains from AFS assets, and unfavourable expenses driven by investment in growing our businesses, partially offset by business growth.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
Reported net income was $430 million for the first nine months of 2018, compared to $657 million for the same period last year. Underlying net income for the first nine months of 2018 was $383 million, compared to $350 million in the same period last year. The unfavourable impact of the change in the Canadian dollar in the first nine months of 2018 relative to average exchange rates in the same period last year decreased both reported net income and underlying net income by $13 million.

Reported net income in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017 predominantly reflected the large favourable impact from ACMA in International in the comparable period in 2017, as well as unfavourable market related impacts. See Section M - Non-IFRS measures in this document for more details including references to notable impacts in 2017. Underlying net income for the first nine months of 2018 compared to the first nine months of 2017 was driven by business growth, partially offset by unfavourable expenses driven by investment in growing our businesses, and impacts of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities.

Growth

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
SLF Asia insurance sales were $202 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $189 million in the third quarter of 2017. Total individual insurance sales increased by 7%, driven by growth in India, primarily from a new bancassurance relationship, and the Philippines, driven by agency productivity.

SLF Asia wealth sales were $1.9 billion in the third quarter of 2018, compared to $3.6 billion in the third quarter of 2017, largely as a result of market volatility in India and the Philippines, partially offset by Hong Kong MPF sales, which were up 37% on a constant currency basis.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
SLF Asia insurance sales increased 16% to $647 million in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $559 million in the first nine months of 2017. On a constant currency basis, individual insurance sales increased 19% with growth led by our Philippines, India, and China businesses.

SLF Asia wealth sales were $8.2 billion in the first nine months of 2018, compared to $9.5 billion in the first nine months of 2017. Momentum in our Hong Kong MPF business partially offset lower sales in other regions during the comparable period.

5. Corporate

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

SLF U.K.

134

 

37

 

72

 

219

 

175

Corporate Support

(40)

 

(45)

 

(68)

 

(152)

 

(139)

Reported net income (loss)

94

 

(8)

 

4

 

67

 

36

Market related impacts(1)

(4)

 

(6)

 

7

 

(13)

 

5

Assumption changes and management actions(2)

122

 

 

33

 

122

 

65

Acquisition, integration and restructuring(2)

(3)

 

 

(2)

 

(6)

 

(5)

Underlying net income (loss)(2)

(21)

 

(2)

 

(34)

 

(36)

 

(29)

(1)

See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document for a breakdown of the components.

(2)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

Profitability

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017
Reported net income in Corporate was $94 million in the third quarter of 2018, compared to reported net income of $4 million in the third quarter of 2017. Underlying net loss was $21 million, compared to $34 million in the third quarter of 2017. The impact from the movement of the Canadian dollar in the third quarter of 2018 relative to average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017 increased reported net income and underlying net income by $9 million and $1 million, respectively.

Corporate reported net income in the third quarter of 2018 increased compared to the third quarter of 2017 due to favourable ACMA in SLF U.K. Underlying net loss in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the third quarter of 2017 reflected lower expenses including incentive compensation in Corporate Support and higher investment income on surplus assets, lower interest on subordinated debt, partially offset by unfavourable mortality experience and lower benefits from tax related items.

Q3 2018 vs. Q3 2017 (year-to-date)
The reported net income was $67 million in the Corporate segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $36 million for the same period last year. Underlying net loss was $36 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2018, compared to $29 million in the nine months ended September 30, 2017. The impact from the movement of the Canadian dollar in the first nine months of 2018, relative to average exchange rates in the first nine months of 2017, increased reported net income by $7 million and decreased underlying net loss by $5 million, respectively.

The reported net income in Corporate in the first nine months of 2018 compared to the same period of 2017 reflected a favourable ACMA impact in 2018 in SLF U.K., and unfavourable market related impacts in 2018. Underlying net loss for the nine months ended September 2018, compared to 2017, reflected lower benefits from tax related items, partially offset by higher investment income on surplus assets and lower expenses, as well as lower interest on subordinated debt.

G. Investments

We had total general fund invested assets of $145.6 billion as at September 30, 2018, compared to $146.1 billion as at December 31, 2017. The decrease in general fund invested assets was primarily due to a decline in net fair value, primarily as a result of rising interest rates.  This decline was partially offset by an increase in operating activity, as well as changes in the currency impact from the weakening of the Canadian dollar relative to exchange rates at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017. Our general fund invested assets are well diversified across investment types, geographies and sectors with the majority of our portfolio invested in fixed income high quality assets.

The following table sets out the composition of our general fund invested assets.(1)

 

September 30, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

($ millions)

 

Carrying
value

 

% of total
carrying value

 

Carrying

 value

 

% of total
carrying value

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities

 

8,196

 

6%

 

8,890

 

6%

Debt securities

 

71,076

 

49%

 

72,619

 

50%

Equity securities

 

4,961

 

3%

 

6,020

 

4%

Mortgages and loans

 

45,207

 

31%

 

42,805

 

29%

Derivative assets

 

1,185

 

1%

 

1,478

 

1%

Other invested assets

 

4,546

 

3%

 

4,154

 

3%

Policy loans

 

3,141

 

2%

 

3,106

 

2%

Investment properties

 

7,270

 

5%

 

7,067

 

5%

Total invested assets

 

145,582

 

100%

 

146,139

 

100%

(1)

The values and ratios presented are based on the carrying value of the respective asset categories. Generally, the carrying values for Fair value through profit or loss ("FVTPL") and AFS invested assets are equal to their fair values; however our mortgages and loans are generally carried at amortized cost. 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 assets.

 

1. 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 it remains well diversified and duration-matched to insurance contract liabilities. With the exception of certain countries where we have business operations, including Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom and the Philippines, our exposure to debt securities from any single country did not exceed 1% of total invested assets on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position as at September 30, 2018.

The carrying value of FVTPL and AFS debt securities by geographic location is presented in the following table.

 

September 30, 2018

December 31, 2017

($ millions)

FVTPL
debt
securities

 

AFS debt
securities

 

Total

 

% of Total

FVTPL
debt
securities

 

AFS debt
securities

 

Total

 

% of Total

Debt securities

                           

Canada

24,272

 

4,456

 

28,728

 

40%

24,132

 

4,114

 

28,246

 

39%

United States

19,572

 

5,590

 

25,162

 

35%

20,758

 

5,719

 

26,477

 

36%

Europe

8,670

 

1,294

 

9,964

 

14%

8,923

 

1,402

 

10,325

 

14%

Asia

3,410

 

449

 

3,859

 

6%

3,694

 

571

 

4,265

 

6%

Other

2,285

 

1,078

 

3,363

 

5%

2,460

 

846

 

3,306

 

5%

Total debt securities

58,209

 

12,867

 

71,076

 

100%

59,967

 

12,652

 

72,619

 

100%

 

Our debt securities with a credit rating of "A" or higher represented 72.4% of the total debt securities as at September 30, 2018, compared to 70.6% as at December 31, 2017. Debt securities with a credit rating of "BBB" or higher represented 98.8% of total debt securities as at September 30, 2018, compared to 98.3% as at December 31, 2017.

Our gross unrealized losses as at September 30, 2018 for FVTPL and AFS debt securities were $1.2 billion and $0.3 billion, respectively, compared with $0.3 billion and $0.1 billion, respectively, as at December 31, 2017. The increase in gross unrealized losses was largely due to the impact from rising interest rates and credit spreads.

2. Mortgages and Loans
Mortgages and loans in this section are presented at their carrying value on our Consolidated Statements of Financial Position. Our mortgage portfolio consisted almost entirely of first mortgages and our loan portfolio consisted of private placement loans.

The carrying value of mortgages and loans by geographic location is presented in the following table.(1)

Mortgages and Loans by Geography

 

September 30, 2018

 

December 31, 2017

($ millions)

Mortgages

 

Loans

 

Total

 

Mortgages

 

Loans

 

Total

Canada

8,561

 

13,290

 

21,851

 

8,390

 

13,265

 

21,655

United States

7,445

 

10,597

 

18,042

 

7,103

 

9,542

 

16,645

Europe

 

3,280

 

3,280

 

 

2,706

 

2,706

Asia

 

347

 

347

 

 

265

 

265

Other

 

1,687

 

1,687

 

 

1,534

 

1,534

Total

16,006

 

29,201

 

45,207

 

15,493

 

27,312

 

42,805

% of Total Invested Assets

11%

 

20%

 

31%

 

11%

 

19%

 

29%

(1)

The geographic location for mortgages is based on the location of the property and for loans it is based on the country of the creditor's parent.                                 

 

As at September 30, 2018, we held $16.0 billion of mortgages, compared to $15.5 billion as at December 31, 2017. Our mortgage portfolio consists entirely of commercial mortgages, including retail, office, multi-family, industrial and land properties. As at September 30, 2018, 32% of our commercial mortgage portfolio consisted of multi-family residential mortgages; there are no single family residential mortgages. Our uninsured commercial portfolio had a weighted average loan-to-value ratio of approximately 55% as at September 30, 2018, consistent with December 31, 2017. While we generally limit the maximum loan-to-value ratio to 75% at issuance, we may invest in mortgages with a higher loan-to-value ratio in Canada if the mortgage is insured by the Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation ("CMHC"). The estimated weighted average debt service coverage for our uninsured commercial portfolio is 1.76 times. Of the $3.3 billion of multi-family residential mortgages in the Canadian commercial mortgage portfolio, 91% were insured by the CMHC.

As at September 30, 2018, we held $29.2 billion of loans, compared to $27.3 billion as at December 31, 2017. Private placement loans provide diversification by type of loan, industry segment and borrower credit quality. The private placement 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
The gross carrying value and allowance for mortgages and loans past due or impaired are presented in the following table.

 

September 30, 2018

 

Gross carrying value

   

Allowance for losses

($ millions)

Mortgages

 

Loans

 

Total

   

Mortgages

   

Loans

 

Total

Not past due

16,000

 

29,081

 

45,081

   

   

 

Past due:

                         

Past due less than 90 days

 

9

 

9

   

   

 

Past due 90 days or more

 

 

   

   

 

Impaired

30

 

153

 

183

   

24

(1)

 

42

 

66

Total

16,030

 

29,243

 

45,273

   

24

   

42

 

66

 

December 31, 2017

 

Gross carrying value

   

Allowance for losses

($ millions)

Mortgages

 

Loans

 

Total

   

Mortgages

   

Loans

 

Total

Not past due

15,482

 

27,180

 

42,662

   

   

 

Past due:

                         

Past due less than 90 days

 

71

 

71

   

   

 

Past due 90 days or more

 

 

   

   

 

Impaired

33

 

89

 

122

   

22

(1)

 

28

 

50

Total

15,515

 

27,340

 

42,855

   

22

   

28

 

50

(1)

Includes $20 million of sectoral provisions as at September 30, 2018, consistent with December 31, 2017.                   

 

Our impaired mortgages and loans net of allowances for losses were $117 million as at September 30, 2018, compared to $72 million as at December 31, 2017.

3. Derivative Financial Instruments
The values associated with our derivative instruments are presented in the following table. Notional amounts serve as the basis for payments calculated under derivatives contracts and are generally not exchanged.

($ millions)

September 30, 2018

   

December 31, 2017

Net fair value asset (liability)

(491)

   

(278)

Total notional amount

54,787

   

54,121

Credit equivalent amount(2)

628

   

561

Risk-weighted credit equivalent amount(1)(2)

15.0

   

n/a

(1)

The September 30, 2018 risk-weighted credit equivalent amount is calculated under the new LICAT guidelines which were effective January 1, 2018. LICAT ratios are not applicable before January 1, 2018.

(2)

Amounts presented are net of collateral received.

 

The total notional amount of our derivatives increased to $54.8 billion as at September 30, 2018 from $54.1 billion as at December 31, 2017.

The net fair value of derivatives was a liability of $491 million as at September 30, 2018, compared to a liability of $278 million as at December 31, 2017. The increase in the liability was primarily due to the impact from changes in foreign exchange rates and swap curves.

4. 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 September 30, 2018 was $2,238 million compared to $2,288 million as at December 31, 2017. The decrease of $50 million was primarily due to the release of provisions on fixed income assets supporting our insurance contract liabilities, partially offset by an increase in the provision for assets purchased, net of dispositions, and change due to yield curve movement, and the weakening of the Canadian dollar.

H. Risk Management

The Company has established a Risk Management Framework to assist in identifying, measuring, managing, monitoring and reporting risks. The Risk Management Framework covers all risks and these have been grouped into six major categories: credit, market, insurance, business and strategic, operational and liquidity risks.

Through our enterprise risk management processes, we oversee the various risk factors identified in the Risk Management Framework and provide reports to senior management and to the Board Committees at least quarterly. Our enterprise risk management processes 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.

1. Market Risk Sensitivities

Our net income(1) is 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 Annual 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 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements. Refer to Additional Cautionary Language and Key Assumptions Related to Sensitivities in this section for important additional information regarding these estimates.

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 with declining interest rates and decreases with 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 other comprehensive income ("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 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.

                                       

(1) Net income refers to common shareholders' net income in section H - Risk Management in this document.

 

We realized $19 million (pre-tax) in net gains on the sale of AFS assets during the third quarter of 2018 ($41 million pre-tax in the third quarter of 2017). The net unrealized gains (losses) or OCI position on AFS fixed income and equity assets were $(114) million and $89 million, respectively, after-tax as at September 30, 2018 ($171 million and $175 million, respectively, after-tax as at December 31, 2017).

Equity Market Sensitivities

The following table sets out the estimated immediate impact on, or sensitivity of, our net income and OCI and Sun Life Assurance's LICAT ratio to certain instantaneous changes in equity market prices as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

As at September 30, 2018

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

Change in Equity Markets(1)

25% decrease

   

10% decrease

   

10% increase

   

25% increase

Potential impact on net income(2)(3)

$

(300)

   

$

(100)

   

$

100

   

$

250

Potential impact on OCI(3)

$

(150)

   

$

(50)

   

$

50

   

$

150

Potential impact on LICAT(2)(4)

2.0% point
decrease

   

0.5% point
decrease

   

0.5% point
increase

   

1.0% point
increase

                 

As at December 31, 2017

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

                   

Change in Equity Markets(1)

25% decrease

   

10% decrease

   

10% increase

   

25% increase

Potential impact on net income(2)(3)

$

(300)

   

$

(100)

   

$

100

   

$

300

Potential impact on OCI(3)

$

(200)

   

$

(50)

   

$

50

   

$

200

Potential impact on LICAT(2)(4)

n/a

   

n/a

   

n/a

   

n/a

(1) 

Represents the respective change across all equity markets as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. 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 dynamic hedging programs at 2% intervals (for 10% changes in equity markets) and at 5% intervals (for 25% changes in equity markets).

(2)

 

The market risk sensitivities include the estimated mitigation impact of our hedging programs in effect as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and include new business added and product changes implemented prior to such dates.

(3)

Net income and OCI sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $50 million. The sensitivities exclude the market impacts on the income from our joint ventures and associates, which we account for on an equity basis.

(4)

The LICAT sensitivities illustrate the impact on Sun Life Assurance as at September 30, 2018. LICAT ratios are not applicable before January 1, 2018. LICAT ratios are rounded to the nearest 0.5%.

 

Interest Rate Sensitivities

The following table sets out the estimated immediate impact on, or sensitivity of, our net income and OCI and Sun Life Assurance's LICAT ratio to certain instantaneous changes in interest rates as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Sun Life Assurance's LICAT ratio decreases with rising interest rates and increases with declining interest rates, which is opposite to our net income sensitivity. Increases to interest rates will reduce the value of our assets and margins in our actuarial liabilities, resulting in a lower LICAT ratio. LICAT includes the change in OCI associated with assets designated as AFS. On adoption of LICAT, given the change in the sensitivity profile, the ranges of sensitivities were reviewed and updated accordingly. The sensitivity of our LICAT ratio to changes in interest rates has decreased in the third quarter of 2018 as a result of ACMA and investment-related management actions.

     

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

As at September 30, 2018

As at December 31, 2017

Change in Interest Rates(1)

50 basis point
decrease

   

50 basis point
increase

 

50 basis point
decrease

   

50 basis point
increase

Potential impact on net income(2)(3)(4)

$

(100)

   

$

100

 

$

(100)

   

$

50

Potential impact on OCI(3)

$

250

   

$

(250)

 

$

250

   

$

(250)

Potential impact on LICAT(2)(5)

2.0% point
increase

   

1.5% point
decrease

 

n/a

   

n/a

(1) 

Interest rate sensitivities assume a parallel shift in assumed interest rates across the entire yield curve as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017 with no change to the Actuarial Standards Board ("ASB") promulgated Ultimate Reinvestment Rate ("URR"). 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 dynamic hedging programs at 10 basis point intervals (for 50 basis point changes in interest rates).

(2)

The market risk sensitivities include the estimated mitigation impact of our hedging programs in effect as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, and include new business added and product changes implemented prior to such dates.

(3) 

Net income and OCI sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $50 million. The sensitivities exclude the market impacts on the income from our joint ventures and associates, which we account for on an equity basis.

(4) 

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.

(5)

The LICAT sensitivities illustrate the impact on Sun Life Assurance as at September 30, 2018. LICAT ratios are not applicable before January 1, 2018. LICAT ratios are rounded to the nearest 0.5%.

 

2. Credit Spread and Swap Spread Sensitivities

We have estimated the immediate impact or sensitivity of our 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.

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

Credit Spread Sensitivities(1)

 

Swap Spread Sensitivities

Net income sensitivity(2)

50 basis point
decrease

 

50 basis point
increase

 

20 basis point
decrease

 

20 basis point
increase

September 30, 2018

$

(100)

 

$

100

 

$

25

 

$

(25)

December 31, 2017

$

(100)

 

$

100

 

$

25

 

$

(25)

(1)

In most instances, credit spreads are assumed to revert to long-term insurance contract liability assumptions generally over a five-year period.

(2)

Sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $25 million.

 

The credit and swap spread sensitivities assume a parallel shift in the indicated spreads across the entire term structure. Variations in realized spread changes based on different terms to maturity, geographies, asset classes and 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 Additional Cautionary Language and Key Assumptions Related to Sensitivities in this section for important additional information regarding these estimates.

3. General Account Insurance and Annuity Products

Most of our expected sensitivity to changes in interest rates and about two-thirds of our expected sensitivity to changes in equity markets are 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 assets, interest rate swaps, and swaptions.

4. Segregated Fund Guarantees

Approximately one-third of our equity market sensitivity and a small amount of interest rate risk sensitivity as at September 30, 2018 are 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 these guarantees is uncertain and depends 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 for our segregated fund products.

As at September 30, 2018

 

($ millions)

Fund value

 

Amount at Risk(1)

 

Value of
guarantees(2)

 

Insurance contract
liabilities(3)

SLF Canada

12,154

 

301

 

10,695

 

288

SLF Asia(4)

3,076

 

276

 

3,193

 

92

Run-off reinsurance(5)

2,558

 

359

 

1,497

 

331

Total

17,788

 

936

 

15,385

 

711

         

As at December 31, 2017

 

($ millions)

Fund value

 

Amount at Risk(1)

 

Value of
guarantees(2)

 

Insurance contract
liabilities(3)

SLF Canada

12,448

 

315

 

10,875

 

399

SLF Asia(4)

3,727

 

250

 

3,755

 

107

Run-off reinsurance(5)

2,534

 

375

 

1,546

 

385

Total

18,709

 

940

 

16,176

 

891

(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)

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia, and balances in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation. For further information, see section F - Performance by Business Group in this document.

(5)

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, 2017 to September 30, 2018 primarily resulted from the following factors:

(i)

the total fund values decreased due to net redemptions from products closed to new business, which was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar;

(ii)

the amount at risk decreased due to net redemptions from products closed to new business, which was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar;

(iii)

the total value of guarantees decreased due to net redemptions from products closed to new business, which was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar; and

(iv)

the total insurance contract liabilities decreased due to higher interest rates and net redemptions from products closed to new business, which was partially offset by the weakening of the Canadian dollar against the U.S. dollar.

 

5. Segregated Fund Hedging

Our hedging programs use derivative instruments to mitigate the interest and equity related exposure of our segregated fund contracts. As at September 30, 2018, 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 market risk 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 associated margins. 

The following table illustrates the impact of our hedging program related to our sensitivity to a 50 basis point decrease in interest rates and a 10% and 25% decrease in equity markets for segregated fund contracts as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017.

Impact of Segregated Fund Hedging

September 30, 2018

       

($ millions)

Changes in interest rates(1)

 

Changes in equity markets(2)

Net income sensitivity(3)(4)

50 basis point decrease

 

10% decrease

 

25% decrease

Before hedging

(150)

 

(150)

 

(400)

Hedging impact

150

 

100

 

300

Net of hedging

 

(50)

 

(100)

         

December 31, 2017

       

($ millions)

Changes in interest rates(1)

 

Changes in equity markets(2)

Net income sensitivity(3)(4)

50 basis point decrease

 

10% decrease

 

25% decrease

Before hedging

(200)

 

(150)

 

(450)

Hedging impact

200

 

100

 

350

Net of hedging

 

(50)

 

(100)

(1)

Represents a parallel shift in assumed interest rates across the entire yield curve as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, with no change to the ASB promulgated URR. 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 dynamic hedging programs at 10 basis point intervals (for 50 basis point changes in interest rates).

(2)

Represents the change across all equity markets as at September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017. 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 dynamic hedging programs at 2% intervals (for 10% changes in equity markets) and at 5% intervals (for 25% changes in equity markets).

(3)

Net income sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $50 million.

(4) 

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 net 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.

 

6. Real Estate Risk

Real estate risk is the potential for financial loss arising from fluctuations in the value of, or future cash flows, from our investments in real estate. We are exposed to real estate risk and 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. A material and sustained increase in interest rates may lead to deterioration in real estate values. An instantaneous 10% decrease in the value of our direct real estate investments as at September 30, 2018 would decrease net income(1) by approximately $275 million ($250 million decrease as at December 31, 2017). Conversely, an instantaneous 10% increase in the value of our direct real estate investments as at September 30, 2018 would increase net income by approximately $275 million ($250 million increase as at December 31, 2017).

                                       

(1) Net income sensitivities have been rounded to the nearest $25 million.

 

7. 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 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, 2017 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 section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document. The cautionary language which appears in this section is also applicable to the credit spread, swap spread, real estate, and LICAT 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 and OCI, 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 September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, respectively. 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 September 30 and December 31 calculation dates. The actual impact of hedging activity 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 September 30, 2018 and December 31, 2017, as applicable. Changes in the regulatory environment, accounting or actuarial valuation methods, models, or assumptions (including changes to the ASB promulgated URR) after those dates 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), volatility risk, 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 are intended to mitigate these effects (e.g., hedge counterparty credit risk is managed by maintaining broad diversification, dealing primarily with highly rated counterparties, and transacting through over-the-counter contracts, cleared through central clearing houses, exchange-traded contracts or bilateral over-the-counter contracts negotiated directly between counterparties that include credit support annexes), residual risk, potential reported earnings and capital volatility remain.

For the reasons outlined above, our 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. 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 section M - Accounting and Control Matters - 1 - Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates in our 2017 annual MD&A. Additional information on market risk can be found in Note 6 of our 2017 Annual Consolidated Financial Statements and the Risk Factors section in our AIF.

I. Additional Financial Disclosure

1. Revenue

 

Quarterly results

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Premiums

                 

Gross

4,928

 

4,901

 

4,741

 

15,046

 

14,530

Ceded

(559)

 

(586)

 

(1,025)

 

(1,717)

 

(3,327)

Net premiums

4,369

 

4,315

 

3,716

 

13,329

 

11,203

Net investment income

                 

Interest and other investment income

1,414

 

1,398

 

1,328

 

4,166

 

4,014

Fair value(1) and foreign currency changes on assets and liabilities

(1,304)

 

(405)

 

(974)

 

(3,257)

 

993

Net gains (losses) on available-for-sale assets

19

 

41

 

41

 

96

 

154

Fee income

1,500

 

1,477

 

1,444

 

4,483

 

4,322

Total revenue

5,998

 

6,826

 

5,555

 

18,817

 

20,686

Adjusted revenue(2)

7,321

 

7,286

 

7,297

 

22,717

 

21,954

(1)

Represents the change in FVTPL assets and liabilities.

(2)

Adjusted revenue is 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 section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

 

Revenue in the third quarter of 2018 was $6.0 billion, up $0.4 billion compared to the third quarter of 2017. This increase is mainly due to net premium growth, partially offset by decreases in FVTPL assets. Revenue was $18.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018, down $1.9 billion from the comparable period last year. The decrease was mainly attributable to decreases in the fair value of FVTPL assets largely due to the higher increases in interest rates in 2018 compared to the same period in 2017. The currency impact from the change in the Canadian dollar relative to average exchange rates in the third quarter of 2017 and the first nine months of 2017 increased revenue by $108 million and decreased revenue by $139 million, respectively.

Adjusted revenue was $7.3 billion in the third quarter of 2018, in line with the third quarter of 2017. Adjusted revenue of $22.7 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2018 was $0.8 billion higher compared to the same period last year. The increase was primarily driven by higher net premium revenue in SLF Canada.

2. Changes in the Statements of Financial Position and in Shareholders' Equity
Total general fund assets were $162.4 billion as at September 30, 2018, compared to $162.7 billion as at December 31, 2017, primarily a result of a decrease of $3.3 billion from the change in value of FVTPL assets, partially offset by a $1.8 billion increase in business activity, and an increase of $1.2 billion from the movement of the Canadian dollar relative to exchange rates at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017.

Insurance contract liabilities (excluding other policy liabilities and assets) of $110.6 billion as at September 30, 2018 decreased by $0.5 billion compared to December 31, 2017, mainly due to the change in balances on in-force policies (which include fair value changes on FVTPL assets supporting insurance contract liabilities), partially offset by balances arising from new policies and the impact of the Canadian dollar relative to exchange rates at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017.

Shareholders' equity, including preferred share capital, was $22.8 billion as at September 30, 2018, compared to $22.3 billion as at December 31, 2017. The increase in shareholders' equity was primarily due to:

(i)

shareholders' net income of $2.0 billion in 2018, before preferred share dividends of $71 million;

(ii)

an increase of $136 million from the change of the Canadian dollar relative to exchange rates at the end of the fourth quarter of 2017;

(iii)

impact of $89 million from the transfer of seed capital from the participating account to the shareholder account;

(iv)

changes in the remeasurement of defined benefit plans of $100 million;

(v)

$13 million from stock options exercised and $3 million from stock-based compensation; partially offset by

(vi)

common share dividend payments of $853 million;

(vii)

net unrealized losses on AFS assets in OCI of $371 million;

(viii)

a decrease of $406 million from the repurchase and cancellation of common shares; and

(ix)

a decrease of $96 million from OCI of joint ventures and associates.

 

As at October 26, 2018, SLF Inc. had 603,267,767 common shares, 3,118,504 options to acquire SLF Inc. common shares, and 92,200,000 Class A Shares outstanding.

3. Cash Flows           

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Net cash and cash equivalents, beginning of period

5,459

 

5,424

 

5,956

 

6,509

Cash flows provided by (used in):

             

Operating activities

1,118

 

630

 

1,951

 

1,334

Investing activities

(57)

 

(66)

 

(147)

 

(198)

Financing activities

(587)

 

(453)

 

(1,941)

 

(1,999)

Changes due to fluctuations in exchange rates

(66)

 

(104)

 

48

 

(215)

Increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

408

 

7

 

(89)

 

(1,078)

Net cash and cash equivalents, end of period

5,867

 

5,431

 

5,867

 

5,431

Short-term securities, end of period

2,126

 

2,462

 

2,126

 

2,462

Net cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities, end of period

7,993

 

7,893

 

7,993

 

7,893

 

The operating activities of the Company generate cash flows which include net premium revenue, net investment income, fee income, and the sale and maturity 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, joint ventures and acquisitions. Cash flows provided by and used in financing activities largely reflect capital transactions including payments of dividends, the issuance and repurchase of shares, as well as the issuance and retirement of debt instruments and preferred shares.

The cash flows used in financing activities in the third quarter of 2018 compared to the same period last year increased primarily due to the repurchase and cancellation of common shares in the third quarter of 2018.

4. 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)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q1'18

 

Q4'17

 

Q3'17

 

Q2'17

 

Q1'17

 

Q4'16

                             

Total revenue

5,998

 

6,826

 

5,993

 

8,648

 

5,555

 

8,122

 

7,009

 

2,366

                               

Common shareholders' net income (loss)

                             

Reported

567

 

706

 

669

 

207

 

817

 

574

 

551

 

728

Underlying(1)

730

 

729

 

770

 

641

 

643

 

689

 

573

 

560

Diluted EPS ($)

                             

Reported

0.93

 

1.16

 

1.09

 

0.34

 

1.32

 

0.93

 

0.89

 

1.18

Underlying(1)

1.20

 

1.20

 

1.26

 

1.05

 

1.05

 

1.12

 

0.93

 

0.91

Basic reported EPS ($)

                             

Reported

0.94

 

1.16

 

1.10

 

0.34

 

1.33

 

0.93

 

0.90

 

1.19

Reported net income (loss) by segment

                             

SLF Canada

335

 

262

 

249

 

172

 

340

 

185

 

266

 

398

SLF U.S.(2)

(267)

 

105

 

96

 

(63)

 

72

 

(178)

 

25

 

81

SLF Asset Management

241

 

214

 

210

 

114

 

185

 

183

 

171

 

198

SLF Asia(2)

164

 

133

 

133

 

121

 

216

 

356

 

85

 

83

Corporate

94

 

(8)

 

(19)

 

(137)

 

4

 

28

 

4

 

(32)

Total reported net income (loss)

567

 

706

 

669

 

207

 

817

 

574

 

551

 

728

Underlying net income (loss) by segment(1)

                             

SLF Canada

251

 

245

 

295

 

232

 

222

 

266

 

229

 

243

SLF U.S.(2)

139

 

125

 

129

 

95

 

121

 

101

 

59

 

55

SLF Asset Management

251

 

216

 

231

 

226

 

204

 

199

 

183

 

188

SLF Asia(2)

110

 

145

 

128

 

111

 

130

 

123

 

97

 

94

Corporate

(21)

 

(2)

 

(13)

 

(23)

 

(34)

 

 

5

 

(20)

Total underlying net income (loss)(1)

730

 

729

 

770

 

641

 

643

 

689

 

573

 

560

(1)

Represents a non-IFRS financial measure. See section M - Non-IFRS Financial Measures in this document.

(2)

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia, and comparative figures in 2017 and 2016 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation. For further information, see section F - Performance by Business Group in this document.

 

Second Quarter 2018
Reported net income was $706 million in the second quarter of 2018, reflecting $82 million favourable change in market related impacts compared to the same quarter in 2017. Underlying net income was $729 million, primarily driven by strong business growth and favourable morbidity experience, partially offset by expenses, credit experience, and the impact of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities.

First Quarter 2018
Reported net income was $669 million in the first quarter of 2018, reflecting $79 million unfavourable change in market related impacts compared to the same quarter in 2017. Underlying net income was $770 million, primarily driven by interest on par seed capital of $110 million, strong business growth, the lower income tax rate in the U.S., as well as the impact of investment activity on insurance contract liabilities, partially offset by weaker mortality and lapse experience.

Fourth Quarter 2017
Reported net income was $207 million in the fourth quarter of 2017, reflecting unfavourable impact of the U.S. tax reform, a restructuring charge, and the impact from interest rates compared to the fourth quarter of 2016. Underlying net income was $641 million, reflecting the growth in our wealth businesses and favourable morbidity and mortality experience.

Third Quarter 2017
Reported net income was $817 million in the third quarter of 2017, reflecting favourable market related activity primarily driven by interest rates and changes in the fair values of real estate, and favourable impact of ACMA, partially offset by the unfavourable impact of the movement of the Canadian dollar and other adjustments compared to the third quarter of 2016. Underlying net income was $643 million, reflecting favourable mortality experience, growth in fee income on our wealth businesses and new business gains, partially offset by a lower level of gains from investing activity.

Second Quarter 2017
Reported net income was $574 million in the second quarter of 2017, reflecting the unfavourable effect of market related impacts driven by interest rate changes, the unfavourable impact of acquisition, integration and restructuring costs, fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards, and certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting. Underlying net income was $689 million, reflecting business growth, gains from investing activity on insurance contract liabilities, positive credit experience and favourable morbidity and mortality experience, partially offset by unfavourable lapse and other policyholder experience, unfavourable expense experience, including investment in growing our businesses, and unfavourable other experience.

First Quarter 2017
Reported net income was $551 million in the first quarter of 2017, reflecting the favourable effect of market related impacts partially offset by the unfavourable impact of acquisition, integration and restructuring costs and fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards. Underlying net income was $573 million, reflecting favourable mortality experience in SLF Canada and SLF U.K. and gains from investing activities on insurance contract liabilities, partially offset by lapse and other policyholder behaviour experience and unfavourable mortality experience in SLF U.S.

Fourth Quarter 2016
Reported net income was $728 million in the fourth quarter of 2016, reflecting favourable interest rate impacts. Reported net income also reflected factors discussed in underlying net income. Underlying net income was $560 million, reflecting positive credit experience and a lower level of gains from investing activity on insurance contract liabilities. This was partially offset by unfavourable expense experience, reflecting incentive compensation costs arising from overall strong business performance and investment in growing our businesses. We also experienced unfavourable morbidity results mainly in the U.S.

J. Legal and Regulatory Matters

Information concerning legal and regulatory matters is provided in our Annual Consolidated Financial Statements, annual MD&A, and AIF, in each case for the year ended December 31, 2017, and in our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2018.

K. Changes in Accounting Policies

 

We have adopted several amended IFRS standards in the current year. In addition, new IFRS standards were issued in the current year. For additional information, refer to Note 2 in our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements for the period ended September 30, 2018.

 

In May 2017, the IASB issued IFRS 17 Insurance Contracts ("IFRS 17"), which replaces IFRS 4 Insurance Contracts. IFRS 17 establishes the principles for the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of insurance contracts. IFRS 17 requires entities to measure insurance contract liabilities at their current fulfillment values using one of three measurement models, depending on the nature of the contract. Insurance contracts are recognized and measured as the total of: the fulfillment cash flows, which are current estimates of expected cash flows adjusted to reflect the timing and the uncertainty in those amounts; and the contractual service margin, which represents the future profit that the company expects to earn as it provides insurance coverage.

IFRS 17 is effective for annual periods beginning on or after January 1, 2021. IFRS 17 will significantly affect how we account for our insurance contracts and how we report and disclose our financial performance in our Consolidated Financial Statements. Any regulatory and tax regimes that are dependent upon IFRS accounting values may also be impacted.

The adoption of IFRS 17 will be a significant change for us and for the industry. In order to ensure effective implementation, we have established a transition program for IFRS 17 and dedicated significant resources to the implementation. We continue to assess both the potential financial statement and business implications of the standard and have regular discussions on application and interpretation of IFRS 17 with our peers in Canada through industry and professional associations. We are also monitoring and participating in international developments related to the adoption and interpretation of this standard.

L. 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 July 1, 2018 and ended on September 30, 2018 that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, the Company's internal control over financial reporting.

M. Non-IFRS Financial Measures

1. Underlying Net Income and Underlying EPS
Underlying net income (loss) and financial measures based on underlying net income (loss), including underlying EPS or underlying loss per share, and underlying ROE, are non-IFRS financial measures. Underlying net income (loss) removes from reported 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, which include: (i) impact of returns in equity markets, net of hedging, above or below our best estimate assumptions of approximately 2% per quarter in the reporting period, and which also includes the 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; (ii) the impact of changes in interest rates that differ from our best estimate assumptions in the reporting period and on 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; and (iii) the impact of changes in the fair value of investment properties in the reporting period;

(b)

 

assumption changes and management actions, which include: (i) the impact of revisions to the methods and assumptions used in determining our liabilities for insurance contracts and investment contracts; and (ii) the impact on insurance contracts and investment contracts of actions taken by management in the current reporting period, referred to as management actions which include, for example, changes in the prices of in-force products, new or revised reinsurance on in-force business, and material changes to investment policies for assets supporting our liabilities; and

(c)

 

Other adjustments:

 

(i)

certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting - this adjustment enhances the comparability of our net income from period to period, as it reduces volatility to the extent it will be offset over the duration of the hedges; 

 

(ii)

fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards that are settled with MFS's own shares and accounted for as liabilities and measured at fair value each reporting period until they are vested, exercised and repurchased - this adjustment enhances the comparability of MFS's results with publicly traded asset managers in the United States;

 

(iii)

acquisition, integration and restructuring costs (including impacts related to acquiring and integrating acquisitions); and

 

(iv)

other items that are unusual or exceptional in nature. 

 

All factors discussed in this document that impact our underlying net income are also applicable to reported net income.

All EPS measures in this document refer to fully diluted EPS, unless otherwise stated. As noted above, underlying EPS excludes the dilutive impact of convertible instruments.

The following table sets out the amounts that were excluded from our underlying net income (loss) 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

Year-to-date

($ millions, unless otherwise noted)

Q3'18

Q2'18

Q3'17

2018

 

2017

Reported net income

567

 

706

 

817

 

1,942

 

1,942

Equity market impact

         

Impact from equity market changes

 

15

 

24

 

(20)

 

38

Basis risk impact

5

 

(6)

 

(6)

 

(11)

 

5

Equity market impact

5

 

9

 

18

 

(31)

 

43

Interest rate impact(1)

         

Impact of interest rate changes

17

 

(38)

 

58

 

(48)

 

(4)

Impact of credit spread movements

(3)

 

6

 

2

 

20

 

(28)

     Impact of swap spread movements

 

(5)

 

9

 

(22)

 

(15)

Interest rate impact

14

 

(37)

 

69

 

(50)

 

(47)

Impact of changes in the fair value of investment properties

6

 

36

 

26

 

46

 

54

Market related impacts

25

 

8

 

113

 

(35)

 

50

Assumption changes and management actions

(166)

 

1

 

103

 

(168)

 

115

Other adjustments:

         

Certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting

(1)

 

1

 

(6)

 

6

 

(18)

Fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards

(10)

 

(2)

 

(19)

 

(33)

 

(47)

Acquisition, integration and restructuring

(11)

 

(31)

 

(17)

 

(57)

 

(63)

Total of other adjustments

(22)

 

(32)

 

(42)

 

(84)

 

(128)

Underlying net income (loss)

730

 

729

 

643

 

2,229

 

1,905

Reported EPS (diluted) ($)

0.93

 

1.16

 

1.32

 

3.18

 

3.16

Market related impacts ($)

0.04

 

0.01

 

0.18

 

(0.06)

 

0.08

Assumption changes and management actions ($)

(0.27)

 

 

0.17

 

(0.28)

 

0.19

Certain hedges in SLF Canada that do not qualify for hedge accounting ($)

 

 

(0.01)

 

0.01

 

(0.03)

Fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards ($)

(0.02)

 

 

(0.03)

 

(0.05)

 

(0.07)

Acquisition, integration and restructuring ($)

(0.02)

 

(0.05)

 

(0.03)

 

(0.10)

 

(0.10)

Impact of convertible securities on diluted EPS ($)

 

 

(0.01)

 

 

(0.01)

Underlying EPS (diluted) ($)

1.20

 

1.20

 

1.05

 

3.66

 

3.10

(1)

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.

 

2. Additional Non-IFRS Measures
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 reported ROE and underlying ROE, respectively, reported net income (loss) and underlying net income (loss) is divided by the total weighted average common shareholders' equity for the period. The quarterly ROE is annualized.

Financial leverage ratio. This total debt to total capital ratio is ratio of debt plus preferred shares to total capital, where debt consists of all capital qualifying debt securities. Capital qualifying debt securities consist of subordinated debt and innovative capital instruments.

Dividend payout ratio. This is the ratio of dividends paid per share to diluted underlying EPS for the period.

Sales. In SLF Canada, insurance 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., insurance sales consist of sales by Group Benefits. In SLF Asia, insurance sales consist of the individual and group insurance sales by our subsidiaries and joint ventures and associates, based on our proportionate equity interest, in the Philippines, Hong Kong, Indonesia, India, China, Malaysia, Vietnam and sales from our International business unit; wealth sales consist of Hong Kong wealth sales, Philippines mutual fund sales, wealth sales by our India and China insurance joint ventures and associates, and Aditya Birla Sun Life AMC Limited's equity and fixed income mutual fund sales based on our proportionate equity interest, including sales as reported by our bank distribution partners. SLF Asset Management sales consist of gross sales (inflows) for retail and institutional Clients; unfunded commitments are not included in sales. Sales are also expressed on a constant currency basis, which is a measure of sales that provides greater comparability across reporting periods by excluding the impact of exchange rate fluctuations from the translation of functional currencies to the Canadian dollar.

Value of New Business. VNB represents the present value of our best estimate of future distributable earnings, net of the cost of capital, from new business contracts written in a particular time period, except new business in our SLF Asset Management pillar. The assumptions used in the calculations are generally consistent with those used in the valuation of our insurance contract liabilities except that discount rates used approximate theoretical return expectations of an equity investor. Capital required is generally based on Sun Life Assurance's LICAT operating target. VNB is a useful metric to evaluate the present value created from new business contracts. There is no directly comparable IFRS measure.

Adjusted revenue. This measure is an alternative measure of revenue that provides greater comparability across reporting periods, by excluding 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").

 

Quarterly results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Revenue

5,998

 

6,826

 

5,555

 

18,817

 

20,686

Constant Currency Adjustment

123

 

98

 

 

(182)

 

FV Adjustment

(1,304)

 

(405)

 

(974)

 

(3,257)

 

993

Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment

(142)

 

(153)

 

(768)

 

(461)

 

(2,261)

Adjusted revenue

7,321

 

7,286

 

7,297

 

22,717

 

21,954

 

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

 

Quarterly results

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q3'17

 

2018

 

2017

Premiums and deposits

35,462

 

37,017

 

40,151

 

118,595

 

123,714

Constant Currency Adjustment

1,010

 

770

 

 

(1,750)

 

Reinsurance in SLF Canada's GB Operations Adjustment

(142)

 

(153)

 

(768)

 

(461)

 

(2,261)

Adjusted premiums and deposits

34,594

 

36,400

 

40,919

 

120,806

 

125,975

 

Pre-tax net operating profit margin ratio for MFS. This ratio is a measure of the profitability of MFS, which excludes the impact of fair value adjustments on MFS's share-based payment awards, investment income, and certain commission expenses that are offsetting. These commission expenses are excluded in order to neutralize the impact these items have on the pre-tax operating profit margin ratio and have no impact on the profitability of MFS. There is no directly comparable IFRS measure.

After-tax profit margin for SLF U.S. Group Benefits. This ratio assists in explaining our results from period to period and is a measure of profitability that expresses SLF U.S. Group Benefits underlying net income as a percentage of net premiums. This ratio is calculated by dividing underlying net income (loss) by net premiums for the trailing four quarters. There is no directly comparable IFRS measure.

Impact of foreign exchange. Items impacting our Consolidated Statements of Operations, such as Revenue, Benefits and expenses, and Total net income (loss), are translated into 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.

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.

Assumption changes and management actions. In this document the impact of ACMA on shareholders' net income (after-tax) is included in reported net income and is excluded in calculating underlying net income, as described in section C - Profitability in this document.

Note 6.A of our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements shows the pre-tax impact of method and assumption changes on shareholder and participating policyholder Insurance Contract Liabilities net of reinsurance assets, excluding changes in other policy liabilities and assets.

The view in this document of assumption changes and management actions is the impact on shareholders' net income (after tax). The Interim Consolidated Financial Statement view is a component of the change in total company liabilities. The following table provides a reconciliation of the differences between the two measures.

 

Quarterly Results

 

Year-to-date

($ millions)

Q3'18

 

Q2'18

 

Q1'18

 

2018

 

2017

Impact of method and assumption changes on Insurance Contract Liabilities (pre-tax)(1)

281

 

4

 

(5)

 

280

 

609

Less: Participating Policyholders(2)

525

 

1

 

 

526

 

146

Impact of method and assumption changes excluding participating policyholders (pre-tax)

(244)

 

3

 

(5)

 

(246)

 

463

Less: Tax

(86)

 

3

 

(2)

 

(85)

 

109

Impact of method and assumption changes excluding participating policyholders (after-tax)

(158)

 

 

(3)

 

(161)

 

354

Add: Management Actions (after-tax)(3)

9

 

 

 

9

 

(243)

 Other (after-tax)(4)

(17)

 

1

 

 

(16)

 

4

Assumption changes and management actions (after-tax)(5)(6)

(166)

 

1

 

(3)

 

(168)

 

115

(1)

Note 6.A of our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements shows the pre-tax impact of method and assumption changes on shareholder and participating policyholder Insurance contract liabilities net of reinsurance assets, excluding changes in other policy liabilities and assets, whereas the amount shown in the table above is the shareholders' and participating policyholders income impact related to the amount shown in Note 6.A of our Interim Consolidated Financial Statements.             

(2)

Adjustment to remove the pre-tax impact of method and assumption changes on amounts attributed to participating policyholders.

(3)

Adjustment to include the after-tax impact of management actions on insurance contract liabilities and investment contract liabilities which include, for example, changes in the prices of in-force products, new or revised reinsurance on in-force business, and material changes to investment policies for assets supporting our liabilities.

(4)

Adjustments to include the after-tax impact of method and assumption changes on investment contracts and other policy liabilities.

(5)

Includes the tax impacts of assumption changes and management actions on insurance contract liabilities and investment contract liabilities, reflecting the tax rates in the jurisdictions in which we do business.

(6)

Assumption changes and management actions is included in reported net income and is excluded in calculating underlying net income, as described in Section C - Profitability in this document.

 

Effective January 1, 2018, we transferred our International business unit from SLF U.S. to SLF Asia as described in section F - Performance by Business Group in this document, and comparative figures in 2017 have been changed to conform with the current year presentation. On a year to date basis, the change in the ACMA resulted in a reduction in ACMA in SLF U.S. by $203 million in In-force Management, and a corresponding increase in SLF Asia in International, which was recorded predominantly in the second quarter of 2017.

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, insurance 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, OSFI.

N. Forward-looking Statements

From time to time, the Company makes written or oral forward-looking statements within the meaning of certain securities laws, including the "safe harbour" provisions of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities legislation. Forward-looking statements contained in this document include statements (i) relating to our strategies, (ii) relating to our growth initiatives and other business objectives, (iii) relating to our expected capital position under the new LICAT guideline, (iv) relating to our expected tax range for future years (v) that are predictive in nature or that depend upon or refer to future events or conditions, (vi) relating to the development of our high net worth insurance business in Asia, (vii) relating to the growth and development of SLF U.S., (viii) that include words such as "achieve", "aim", "ambition", "anticipate", "aspiration", "assumption", "believe", "could", "estimate", "expect", "goal", "initiatives", "intend", "may", "objective", "outlook", "plan", "project", "seek", "should", "strategy", "strive", "target", "will", and similar expressions. Forward-looking statements include the information concerning our possible or assumed future results of operations. These statements represent our current expectations, estimates, and projections regarding future events and are not historical facts. 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, C - Profitability - 5 - Income taxes, E - Financial Strength and H - Risk Management and in SLF Inc.'s 2017 AIF under the heading 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.

Important risk factors that could cause our assumptions and estimates, and expectations and projections to be inaccurate and our actual results or events to differ materially from those expressed in or implied by the forward-looking statements contained in this document, are set out below. The realization of our forward-looking statements, essentially depends on our business performance which, in turn, is subject to many risks. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from expectations include, but are not limited to: credit risks - related to issuers of securities held in our investment portfolio, debtors, structured securities, reinsurers, counterparties, other financial institutions and other entities; market risks - related to the performance of equity markets; changes or volatility in interest rates or credit spreads or swap spreads; real estate investments; and fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates; insurance risks - related to policyholder behaviour; mortality experience, morbidity experience and longevity; product design and pricing; the impact of higher-than-expected future expenses; and the availability, cost and effectiveness of reinsurance; business and strategic risks - related to global economic and political conditions; the design and implementation of business strategies; changes in distribution channels or Client behaviour including risks relating to market conduct by intermediaries and agents; the impact of competition; the performance of our investments and investment portfolios managed for Clients such as segregated and mutual funds; changes in the legal or regulatory environment, including capital requirements and tax laws; tax matters, including estimates and judgments used in calculating taxes; our international operations, including our joint ventures; market conditions that affect our capital position or ability to raise capital; downgrades in financial strength or credit ratings; and the impact of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; operational risks - related to breaches or failure of information system security and privacy, including cyber-attacks; our ability to attract and retain employees; legal, regulatory compliance and market conduct, including the impact of regulatory inquiries and investigations; the execution and integration of mergers, acquisitions and divestitures; our information technology infrastructure; a failure of information systems and Internet-enabled technology; dependence on third-party relationships, including outsourcing arrangements; business continuity; model errors; information management; the environment, environmental laws and regulations and third-party policies; and liquidity risks - the possibility that we will not be able to fund all cash outflow commitments as they fall due.

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 third quarter 2018 financial results will be reviewed at a conference call on Thursday, November 8, 2018, at 10:00 a.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 and 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 the Q3 2020 period end. The conference call can also be accessed by phone by dialing 647-427-2311 (International) or 1-866-521-4909 (toll-free within North America). A replay of the conference call will be available from Thursday, November 8, 2018 at 2 p.m. ET until 11:59 p.m. ET on Thursday, November 22, 2018 by calling 416-621-4642 or 1-800-585-8367 (toll free within North America) using Conference ID: 1968898.

 

Consolidated Statements of Operations

 

 

For the three months ended

 

For the nine months ended

(unaudited, in millions of Canadian dollars except for per share amounts)

September 30,
2018

 

September 30,
2017

 

September 30,
2018

 

September 30,
2017

Revenue

             

Premiums

             

Gross

$

4,928

 

$

4,741

 

$

15,046

 

$

14,530

Less: Ceded

559

 

1,025

 

1,717

 

3,327

Net premiums

4,369

 

3,716

 

13,329

 

11,203

Net investment income (loss):

             

Interest and other investment income

1,414

 

1,328

 

4,166

 

4,014

Fair value and foreign currency changes on assets and liabilities

(1,304)

 

(974)

 

(3,257)

 

993

Net gains (losses) on available-for-sale assets

19

 

41

 

96

 

154

Net investment income (loss)

129

 

395

 

1,005

 

5,161

Fee income

1,500

 

1,444

 

4,483

 

4,322

Total revenue

5,998

 

5,555

 

18,817

 

20,686

Benefits and expenses

             

Gross claims and benefits paid

3,908

 

3,607

 

11,884

 

11,463

Increase (decrease) in insurance contract liabilities

(942)

 

(727)

 

(1,329)

 

2,189

Decrease (increase) in reinsurance assets

234

 

498

 

189

 

798

Increase (decrease) in investment contract liabilities

(25)

 

9

 

(34)

 

40

Reinsurance expenses (recoveries)

(476)

 

(1,061)

 

(1,523)

 

(3,291)

Commissions

574

 

566

 

1,736

 

1,772

Net transfer to (from) segregated funds

(65)

 

(41)

 

(156)

 

(56)

Operating expenses

1,563

 

1,496

 

4,807

 

4,661

Premium taxes

93

 

94

 

280

 

279

Interest expense

73

 

55

 

226

 

222

Total benefits and expenses

4,937

 

4,496

 

16,080

 

18,077

Income (loss) before income taxes

1,061

 

1,059

 

2,737

 

2,609

Less: Income tax expense (benefit)

184

 

209

 

485

 

368

Total net income (loss)

877

 

850

 

2,252

 

2,241

Less: Net income (loss) attributable to participating policyholders

286

 

9

 

239

 

229

Shareholders' net income (loss)

591

 

841

 

2,013

 

2,012

Less: Preferred shareholders' dividends

24

 

24

 

71

 

70

Common shareholders' net income (loss)

$

567

 

$

817

 

$

1,942

 

$

1,942

               

Average exchange rates during the reporting periods:

                     

U.S. dollars

1.31

 

1.25

 

1.29

 

1.31

               

Earnings (loss) per share

               

Basic

$

0.94

 

$

1.33

 

$

3.19

 

$

3.17

Diluted

$

0.93

 

$

1.32

 

$

3.18

 

$

3.16

Dividends per common share

$

0.475

 

$

0.435

 

$

1.405

 

$

1.29

 

 

Consolidated Statements of Financial Position

 

 

As at

(unaudited, in millions of Canadian dollars)

 

September 30,
2018

   

December 31,
2017

Assets

         

Cash, cash equivalents and short-term securities

 

$

8,196

   

$

8,890

Debt securities

 

71,076

   

72,619

Equity securities

 

4,961

   

6,020

Mortgages and loans

 

45,207

   

42,805

Derivative assets

 

1,185

   

1,478

Other invested assets

 

4,546

   

4,154

Policy loans

 

3,141

   

3,106

Investment properties

 

7,270

   

7,067

Invested assets

 

145,582

   

146,139

Other assets

 

4,817

   

4,408

Reinsurance assets

 

3,937

   

4,028

Deferred tax assets

 

1,122

   

1,295

Intangible assets

 

1,705

   

1,667

Goodwill

 

5,276

   

5,183

Total general fund assets

 

162,439

   

162,720

Investments for account of segregated fund holders

 

108,298

   

106,392

Total assets

 

$

270,737

   

$

269,112

Liabilities and equity

       

Liabilities

       

Insurance contract liabilities

 

$

117,480

   

$

117,785

Investment contract liabilities

 

3,137

   

3,082

Derivative liabilities

 

1,676

   

1,756

Deferred tax liabilities

 

359

   

403

Other liabilities

 

11,813

   

11,987

Senior debentures

 

1,299

   

1,299

Subordinated debt

 

3,039

   

3,437

Total general fund liabilities

 

138,803

   

139,749

Insurance contracts for account of segregated fund holders

 

101,500

   

99,121

Investment contracts for account of segregated fund holders

 

6,798

   

7,271

Total liabilities

 

$

247,101

   

$

246,141

Equity

       

Issued share capital and contributed surplus

 

$

10,822

   

$

10,911

Shareholders' retained earnings and accumulated other comprehensive income

 

12,012

   

11,410

Total shareholders' equity

 

22,834

   

22,321

Participating policyholders' equity

 

802

   

650

Total equity

 

$

23,636

   

$

22,971

Total liabilities and equity

 

$

270,737

   

$

269,112

         

Exchange rates at the end of the reporting periods:

       

U.S. dollars

 

1.29

   

1.26

 

Media Relations Contact:
Irene Poon
Corporate Communications
Tel: 647-256-2330
irene.poon@sunlife.com

Investor Relations Contact:
Gregory Dilworth
Vice-President, Investor Relations
Tel: 416-979-6230
investor.relations@sunlife.com

 

SOURCE Sun Life Financial Inc.