Topic: Dividend Stocks

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $35

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $35 (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 993.2 million; Market cap: $34.8 billion; Priceto- sales ratio: 1.0; Dividend Yield: 3.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is Canada’s second-largest insurance company, after Manulife Financial (Toronto symbol MFC).

In the past few years, the company has expanded its presence in Ireland. In July 2013, it paid $1.75 billion for Irish Life, Ireland’s largest pension manager and life insurance provider.

Irish Life recently announced two small acquisitions: it is buying Aviva Health, and increasing its stake in GloHealth from 49% to 100%. The company did not say how much it will pay, but these purchases will let it sell health insurance products to its Irish clients.

Great-West Lifeco is a buy.

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