Toronto-based insurance and financial services company Sun Life Financial Inc. plans to buy back up to 2.55 million (0.46%) of its common shares in a private agreement with “an arm’s-length third-party” seller.

Sun Life says it plans to make the purchase between December 11 and 31.

The shares purchased for cancellation will be included in calculating the maximum number of shares Sun Life can buy in its normal course issuer bid announced at the beginning of the year.