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GREAT-WEST LIFECO, $36.51, is still a hold. The insurer (Toronto symbol GWO; shares outstanding: 928.4 million; Market cap: $34.3 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 4.8%; www.greatwestlifeco.com) recently paid $4.4 billion for the retirement services business of Massachusetts Mutual Life Insurance Company. Due to that purchase, its earnings in the first quarter of 2021 jumped 36.1%, to $739 million (or $0.80 a share) from $543 million ($0.59) a year earlier. So far, eliminating overlapping operations has let Great-West cut $40 million U.S. from its annual costs. That yearly savings should reach $160 million U.S. by the end of 2022. Meanwhile, this is the latest in a series of acquisitions by Great-West meant to diversify its operations. The purchase nonetheless add risk. Great-West Lifeco is still a hold. RIOCAN REAL ESTATE INVESTMENT TRUST, $21.40 is a buy. The REIT (Toronto symbol REI.UN; Units outstanding: 317.7 million; Market cap: $6.8 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 4.5%; www.riocan.com) owns all or part of…