TORONTO, May 11 (Reuters) - Sun Life Financial on Wednesday beat analyst estimates for first-quarter core profit, which fell from a year earlier due to higher claims in its U.S. business and the impact of COVID-19 restrictions on some Asian markets.

Underlying profit was C$843 million ($649 million), or C$1.44 a share, in the three months ended March 31, from C$850 million, or C$1.45, a year earlier. Analysts had expected C$1.41 a share.

Reported net income declined to C$858 million, or C$1.46, from C$937 million, or C$1.59, a year earlier. ($1 = 1.2989 Canadian dollars) (Reporting By Nichola Saminather Editing by Chris Reese)