These two will ride markets higher

Article Excerpt

We feel that the current global stock market rally could continue for some time, particularly as the U.S. economy picks up steam. That’s good news for insurance companies like Great-West, which must hold a broad portfolio of securities to cover potential claims. At the same time, the improving outlook for stocks should spur demand for IGM’s mutual funds. GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $30 (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 999.2 million; Market cap: $30.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.2; Dividend Yield: 4.1%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is one of Canada’s largest insurance companies, with $758.3 billion of assets under administration. It also offers mutual funds, retirement planning and wealth management. Power Financial (Toronto symbol PFC) owns 67.0% of Great-West. The company continues to benefit from its recent $1.75-billion purchase of Irish Life Group, Ireland’s largest pension manager and life insurance provider. If you exclude integration costs, Great-West earned $2.05 billion in 2013, including $85 million…