Sun Life Financial Inc. today reported record earnings for the third quarter ended September 30.

The record profit was due a strong performance from its group benefits business in Canada, improved equity markets and higher contributions from Asia.

The insurer reported net income of $541, or 94¢ a share. That compared with $430 million or 74 cents a share in the same quarter last year.

Each of Sun Life’s geographic markets delivered impressive earnings growth, the company said.

Sun Life said that the strengthening of the Canadian dollar reduced its earnings by $20 million in the quarter, or 4¢ a share.

The company, which has operations in the United States, Europe and Asia, said return on equity was 14.4% in the latest quarter, up from 11.7% a year earlier.

The financial services company took some of the anticipation out of its earnings release by announcing on Monday that it would not sell its

At its Boston-based MFS Investment Management unit, pre-tax operating profit margin increased to 30% in the third quarter from 22% a year earlier.