Demographic trends bode well for these insurers

Article Excerpt

These two insurers have a bright future, particularly as population growth will drive demand for new policies and retirement planning services. For now, we prefer Sun Life as Great-West’s recent acquisitions add to its risk. GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $46 is a hold. The company (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; shares outstanding: 932.1 million; Market cap: $42.9 billion; Dividend yield: 4.8%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is Canada’s second-largest life insurer after Manulife Financial. It also offers mutual funds and wealth management. Power Corp. owns 68.1% of the firm. With the March 2024 payment, Great-West raised your quarterly dividend by 6.7%, to $0.555 a share from $0.52. The new annual rate of $2.22 yields 4.8%. Great West has narrowed its focus to its main insurance and wealth management businesses in the past two years. Under that plan, in January 2024, the company sold its U.S.-based Putnam Investments mutual fund business to Franklin Resources, Inc. (New York symbol BEN), operating as Franklin Templeton. It…