Intact soars higher

Article Excerpt

INTACT FINANCIAL $106.31 (Toronto symbol IFC; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (416-341-1464; www.intactfc.com; Shares outstanding: 139.2 million; Market cap: $14.7 billion; Dividend yield: 2.6%) is Canada’s largest provider of property and casualty insurance. The company insures more than five million individuals and businesses. The stock has moved up 16% since early July 2018, and is trading close to its all-time high. In the quarter ended June 30, 2018, the insurer’s revenue rose 16.5%, to $2.91 billion from $2.50 billion a year earlier. Some of the gain came from the September 2017 acquisition of OneBeacon Insurance for $1.7 billion U.S. Earnings per share in the quarter fell 4.2%, to $1.38 from $1.44. The lower profit was mainly because of higher catastrophe losses. That offset improved earnings from personal auto and sound results for U.S.-based OneBeacon. The stock trades at 15.6 times Intact’s forecast 2018 earnings of $6.81 a share. It yields 2.6%. Intact is a top pick for 2018. 2018…