Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying net income reached CAD 1.1 billion, contributing to underlying earnings per share growth of 17% year-over-year and underlying return on equity of 19.1% [5][15] - Total company reported net income was CAD 722 million, 34% lower than underlying net income, primarily due to market-related impacts [17] - Full-year underlying earnings growth was 9%, with a 17% increase in new business contractual service margin [12][29] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SLC Management achieved CAD 242 million in underlying net income, exceeding its investor day target of CAD 235 million [6] - Group Health and Protection underlying earnings increased by 16% year-over-year, driven by stabilization in claims experience [16] - Individual protection underlying net income rose by 17%, supported by favorable mortality experience in Asia and the U.S. [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Asia, protection sales grew by 50% year-over-year, with standout markets being Hong Kong and Indonesia [8][29] - In Canada, gross sales in wealth businesses were up 46% year-over-year, driven by strong results in Group Retirement Services and individual mutual funds [7][24] - U.S. Medical Stop-Loss business saw robust sales growth of 58% [9][25] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a balanced and diversified growth strategy, with a commitment to digital transformation and enhancing client experiences [10][11] - The introduction of a management equity plan for SLC aims to motivate and retain talent in the alternative asset management space [6] - The company plans to complete the buyouts of BGO and Crescent Capital in the first half of 2026, strengthening its alternative asset management platform [22] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of the business mix and disciplined execution of long-term strategies, despite a complex operating environment [14] - The company anticipates continued strong earnings growth aligned with medium-term objectives, with a focus on organic capital generation and prudent risk management [11][30] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong capital position, with a LICAT ratio of 157% [5][18] Other Important Information - The company achieved Great Place to Work recertification in nine countries, emphasizing its commitment to culture and employee satisfaction [11] - The asset management platform ended the year with CAD 1.2 trillion of third-party assets under management and administration [13] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding stop-loss experience and future improvements - Management noted a modest improvement in the loss ratio and expressed confidence heading into 2026 [33][36] Question: On pricing increases in stop-loss and dental - Management confirmed a 17% average price increase on renewal business, which aligns with target margins [40][42] Question: Capital deployment strategy and buybacks - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to capital deployment, prioritizing organic growth and completing private asset affiliate purchases before resuming share buybacks [45][50] Question: Strategy for growth in the dental market - Management highlighted a strong distribution footprint and growth in the commercial dental segment, expecting continued expansion [61] Question: Insights on stop-loss market dynamics - Management acknowledged a hardening market and competitive dynamics, emphasizing their strong capabilities and historical low loss ratios [92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying net income reached CAD 1.1 billion, contributing to underlying earnings per share growth of 17% year-over-year and an underlying return on equity of 19.1% [5][15] - Total company reported net income was CAD 722 million, 34% lower than underlying net income, primarily due to market-related impacts [17] - The LICAT ratio ended at 157%, demonstrating a strong capital position, up 3 percentage points from the previous quarter [5][18] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - SLC Management achieved CAD 242 million in underlying net income, exceeding its investor day target of CAD 235 million [6][21] - In Canada, gross sales were up 46% year-over-year, driven by strong results in Group Retirement Services and individual mutual funds [7][24] - Group Health and Protection underlying earnings increased by 16% year-over-year, while individual protection underlying net income rose by 17% [16][25] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Asia saw a 50% year-over-year growth in protection sales, with standout performances in Hong Kong and Indonesia [8][29] - U.S. Medical Stop-Loss business reported robust sales growth of 58% [9][25] - MFS experienced net outflows of approximately CAD 18.2 billion, consistent with industry trends, but had positive net flows in fixed income and ETF products [19][20] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a balanced and diversified growth strategy, with a commitment to digital transformation and enhancing client experiences [10][11] - The introduction of a management equity plan for SLC aims to motivate and retain talent in the alternative asset management space [6][21] - The company plans to complete the buyouts of BGO and Crescent Capital in the first half of 2026, further strengthening its alternative asset management platform [22][30] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of the business mix and disciplined execution of long-term strategies, despite a complex operating environment [14][30] - The company anticipates continued strong earnings growth aligned with medium-term objectives, with underlying EPS growth at 12% and underlying ROE at 18.2% [11][29] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a strong culture and commitment to client impact as key differentiators [11][13] Other Important Information - The company achieved a full-year underlying earnings growth of 9% and concluded 2025 with over CAD 1.6 trillion in overall assets under management [12][13] - The company launched a fully digital group retirement solution, Sun Life Essentials, to capture market share in the small to medium business segment [10] Q&A Session Summary Question: Regarding stop-loss experience and future improvements - Management noted a modest improvement in the loss ratio and expressed confidence heading into 2026 [33][36] Question: On pricing increases in stop-loss - Management confirmed a 17% average price increase on renewal business, which aligns with target margins [40][42] Question: Capital deployment strategy and buybacks - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to capital deployment, prioritizing organic growth and completing private asset affiliate purchases before resuming share buybacks [49][50] Question: Strategy for growth in the dental market - Management highlighted a strong distribution footprint and growth in the commercial dental segment, expecting continued expansion [60][61] Question: Future growth expectations in Asia - Management anticipates moderation in growth rates but remains optimistic about performance in Hong Kong and other markets like Indonesia [69]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying net income reached CAD 1.1 billion, contributing to underlying earnings per share growth of 17% year-over-year and underlying return on equity of 19.1% [4][14] - Total company reported net income was CAD 722 million, 34% lower than underlying net income, primarily due to market-related impacts [16] - Full-year underlying earnings growth was 9%, with underlying EPS growth at 12% and a dividend payout ratio of 47% [12][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Asset management and wealth underlying earnings were CAD 534 million, up 10% year-over-year, driven by lower credit losses and higher fee income [14] - Group Health and Protection underlying earnings increased by 16% year-over-year to CAD 308 million, with strong performance in the U.S. medical stop-loss business [15] - Individual protection underlying net income rose 17% to CAD 362 million, driven by business growth and favorable mortality experience [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - In Asia, protection sales grew by 50% year-over-year, with standout markets being Hong Kong and Indonesia, where sales more than doubled and grew by 43% respectively [7][25] - U.S. Group Health and Protection sales increased by 45% year-over-year, primarily driven by record medical stop-loss sales [24] - MFS reported net outflows of approximately CAD 18.2 billion, with retail outflows of CAD 9.8 billion and institutional outflows of CAD 8.5 billion [18] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a balanced and diversified growth strategy, with a commitment to digital transformation and enhancing client experiences [10][11] - Plans to complete the buyouts of BGO and Crescent Capital in the first half of 2026, which will deepen ownership in high-performing businesses [20] - The introduction of a management equity plan for SLC aims to motivate and retain talent in the alternative asset management space [5] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the strength of the business mix and disciplined execution of long-term strategies, despite a complex operating environment [13] - The company anticipates continued growth in 2026, supported by strong organic capital generation and an industry-leading LICAT ratio of 157% [28] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining pricing discipline in the stop-loss business and the positive impact of a hardening market [35] Other Important Information - The company achieved Great Place to Work recertification in nine countries, emphasizing its commitment to culture and employee satisfaction [11] - The asset management platform ended the year with CAD 1.2 trillion of third-party assets under management and administration [12] Q&A Session Summary Question: Stop-loss experience and future improvements - Management noted a modest improvement in the loss ratio and expressed optimism heading into 2026, maintaining pricing discipline [32] Question: Sales growth in stop-loss and dental products - Management confirmed that sales growth reflects seasonality and pricing discipline, with a large Medicaid contract returning in 2026 [33] Question: Excess capital and buyback strategy - Management emphasized a disciplined approach to capital deployment, prioritizing organic investments and completing private asset affiliate purchases before resuming share buybacks [46][70] Question: Strategy in the stop-loss market amid competition - Management highlighted their scale and capabilities as key advantages, allowing them to grow in a hardening market while maintaining low loss ratios [54][56] Question: Growth expectations in Asia - Management expects continued good performance in Hong Kong and growth opportunities in Indonesia, despite tough comparisons [66]