These Canadian insurers lift your prospects

Article Excerpt

Business for our two top Canadian insurance recommendations remains steady despite COVID-19—and both have now rebounded to their all-time highs. Meanwhile, due to the pandemic, Canadian financial regulators have instructed federally regulated firms, including Manulife and Sun Life, to postpone their planned dividend increases. However, it’s likely dividend hikes will resume some time later this year as the pandemic eases. MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP., $27.33, is a buy. This safety-conscious blue-chip company (Toronto symbol MFC; Shares o/s: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $53.2 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 4.1%; www.manulife.ca) is Canada’s largest life insurer. Manulife sells other forms of insurance, including health, dental and travel plans; its mutual funds and investment management services further diversify its revenue stream. As of December 31, 2020, the company had $1.3 trillion in assets under administration. Increasingly, markets outside of Canada—especially Asia—contribute to its growth­. In the quarter ended December 31, 2020, earnings decreased 0.20%, to $1.474 billion from $1.477 billion a year earlier. With fewer shares outstanding, earnings per share…