Topic: How To Invest

Great-West Lifeco Inc. $34.17 – Toronto symbol GWO

GREAT-WEST LIFECO $34.17 (Toronto symbol GWO; SI Rating: Above-average) is a leading Canadian insurance company, with $212 billion in assets under administration. The company also provides wealth management and other financial services. It also operates in the U.S. and Europe. Power Financial controls about 75% of Great-West.

Great-West’s earnings in the three months ended June 30, 2007 rose 18%, to $544 million or $0.61 a share from $461 million or $0.52. Revenues fell 30%, to $4.6 billion from $6.6 billion on new accounting rules for investments. The shares yield 3.0%.

The $3.9 billion U.S. acquisition of U.S.-based investment management firm and mutual fund company Putnam Investments Trust will close shortly. The purchase will more than double Great-West’s assets under administration. Great-West is also making a series of small acquisitions aimed at expanding its share of the employer-sponsored health insurance market in the United States.

Great-West Lifeco is still a buy.

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