MRSH vs. SLF: Marsh & McLennan vs. Sun Life Financial Stock Comparison
How do Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) and Sun Life Financial (SLF) stack up? This page sets them side by side across company profile, performance and risk, profitability, growth, financial strength, dividends, and valuation, with selected fundamentals also measured against each stock's industry-group peers.
Company Profile
Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) and Sun Life Financial (SLF) both belong to the Insurance industry, though MRSH is classified under Insurance Brokers while SLF falls under Life & Health Insurance.
| Profile Item | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Name | Marsh & McLennan Companies, Inc. | Sun Life Financial Inc. |
| Country/Region | United States | Canada |
| GICS Sector | Financials | Financials |
| GICS Industry Group | Insurance | Insurance |
| GICS Industry | Insurance | Insurance |
| GICS Sub-Industry | Insurance Brokers | Life & Health Insurance |
| Market Capitalization | 97.39 billion USD | 39.73 billion USD |
| Currency | USD | USD |
| Exchange | NYSE | NYSE |
| Listing Date | February 21, 1973 | March 23, 2000 |
| Security Type | Common Stock | Common Stock |
Price Performance
Cumulative Growth
Trailing Returns
Calendar-Year Returns
Performance Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Total Return (1Y) | 16.87% | 30.02% |
| Total Return (3Y, Annualized) | 3.11% | 20.05% |
| Total Return (5Y, Annualized) | 6.23% | 9.37% |
Risk Profile
Drawdown History
Return Distribution
Risk Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Volatility (1Y, Annualized) | 26.15% | 21.39% |
| Beta (5Y) | 0.51 | 0.88 |
| Max Drawdown (5Y) | -34.36% | -30.77% |
| Avg. Volume (3M) | 2.43M | 666.75K |
Risk-Adjusted Performance
Risk-Return Positioning
Risk-Adjusted Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Sharpe Ratio (1Y) | 0.48 | 1.20 |
| Sortino Ratio (1Y) | 0.74 | 1.61 |
Profitability
ROE (TTM)
Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 27.24% sits in the top ROE quartile, while Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 11.55% is closer to the peer norm — stronger capital efficiency for MRSH.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
27.24%
- Max
- 41.68%
- MRSH
- 27.24%
- Q3
- 22.04%
- Median
- 14.81%
- Q1
- 8.79%
- Min
- -10.66%
SLF
Insurance industry group
11.55%
- Max
- 41.68%
- Q3
- 22.04%
- Median
- 14.81%
- SLF
- 11.55%
- Q1
- 8.79%
- Min
- -10.66%
Net Margin (TTM)
Both Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 14.20% and Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 8.63% keep about the typical share of revenue as profit for their industries — neither bottom line stands out from peers.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
14.20%
- Max
- 29.92%
- Q3
- 17.03%
- MRSH
- 14.20%
- Median
- 10.97%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- -4.68%
SLF
Insurance industry group
8.63%
- Max
- 29.92%
- Q3
- 17.03%
- Median
- 10.97%
- SLF
- 8.63%
- Q1
- 6.21%
- Min
- -4.68%
Operating Margin (TTM)
Neither side reports a meaningful operating margin: for Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) in Insurance and Sun Life Financial (SLF) in Insurance, funding costs are part of the core business, so net margin and ROE are the cleaner profitability reads.
Profitability Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| ROE (TTM) | 27.24% | 11.55% |
| ROA (TTM) | 7.35% | 0.74% |
| Net Margin (TTM) | 14.20% | 8.63% |
| Operating Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
| Gross Margin (TTM) | -- | -- |
Growth
Revenue Growth
Both Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 10.32% and Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 11.50% land near their industries' usual revenue growth ranges, so top-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
EPS Growth
Both Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 3.06% and Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 16.92% land near their industries' usual EPS growth ranges, so bottom-line momentum looks broadly in line with peers on both sides.
Growth Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Revenue Growth (YoY) | 10.32% | 11.50% |
| Revenue Growth (3Y CAGR) | 9.20% | 123.82% |
| EPS Growth (YoY) | 3.06% | 16.92% |
| EPS Growth (3Y CAGR) | 11.75% | 5.68% |
Financial Strength
Current Ratio (MRQ)
current ratio doesn’t apply on either side: Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) in Insurance and Sun Life Financial (SLF) in Insurance both report balance sheets without a current/non-current split, so their short-term liquidity is better judged through regulatory and funding measures.
Debt / Equity (MRQ)
debt-to-equity ratio is set aside for both: Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) in Insurance and Sun Life Financial (SLF) in Insurance run businesses where balance-sheet leverage is part of the model, so capital-adequacy and funding measures are the better gauges of balance-sheet risk.
Financial Strength Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Current Ratio (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Debt / Equity (MRQ) | -- | -- |
| Net Debt / EBITDA | -- | -- |
Dividends
Dividend Yield (TTM)
Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 5.12% delivers top-quartile income for its industry, while Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 1.80% pays a more typical yield — both are credible income propositions, SLF the richer one.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
1.80%
- Max
- 5.12%
- Q3
- 2.15%
- MRSH
- 1.80%
- Median
- 0.98%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SLF
Insurance industry group
5.12%
- SLF
- 5.12%
- Max
- 5.12%
- Q3
- 2.15%
- Median
- 0.98%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM)
Both Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 44.14% and Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 70.41% pay out an above-typical share of earnings for their industries, leaving thinner cover if profits dip.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
44.14%
- Max
- 76.67%
- MRSH
- 44.14%
- Q3
- 35.18%
- Median
- 14.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
SLF
Insurance industry group
70.41%
- Max
- 76.67%
- SLF
- 70.41%
- Q3
- 35.18%
- Median
- 14.74%
- Q1
- 0.00%
- Min
- 0.00%
Dividend Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| Dividend Yield (TTM) | 1.80% | 5.12% |
| Dividend Payout Ratio (TTM) | 44.14% | 70.41% |
Valuation
P/E Ratio (TTM)
Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 18.58 is near its industry’s usual P/E ratio, while Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 24.50 sits in the richer quartile — MRSH needs stronger growth or earnings quality to justify the premium.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
24.50
- Max
- 28.37
- MRSH
- 24.50
- Q3
- 18.75
- Median
- 12.23
- Q1
- 9.08
- Min
- 2.32
SLF
Insurance industry group
18.58
- Max
- 28.37
- Q3
- 18.75
- SLF
- 18.58
- Median
- 12.23
- Q1
- 9.08
- Min
- 2.32
P/S Ratio (TTM)
Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 1.12 is priced about in line with its industry on P/S ratio, while Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 3.42 sits in the pricier quartile — MRSH costs more per dollar of sales.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
3.42
- Max
- 4.03
- MRSH
- 3.42
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.23
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.07
SLF
Insurance industry group
1.12
- Max
- 4.03
- Q3
- 2.25
- Median
- 1.23
- SLF
- 1.12
- Q1
- 0.85
- Min
- 0.07
P/B Ratio (MRQ)
Sun Life Financial (SLF) at 2.26 sits near its industry’s typical P/B ratio, while Marsh & McLennan (MRSH) at 6.64 prices above its benchmark range — MRSH looks rich relative to book.
MRSH
Insurance industry group
6.64
- MRSH
- 6.64
- Max
- 5.07
- Q3
- 2.79
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.30
SLF
Insurance industry group
2.26
- Max
- 5.07
- Q3
- 2.79
- SLF
- 2.26
- Median
- 1.76
- Q1
- 1.23
- Min
- 0.30
Valuation Metrics
| Metric | MRSH | SLF |
|---|---|---|
| P/E Ratio (TTM) | 24.50 | 18.58 |
| P/S Ratio (TTM) | 3.42 | 1.12 |
| P/B Ratio (MRQ) | 6.64 | 2.26 |
| Free Cash Flow Yield (TTM) | -- | -- |