These safety-conscious stocks remain buys

Article Excerpt

OVINTIV INC., $14.66, is a buy. The energy producer (Toronto symbol OVV; Shares outstanding: 259.8 million; Market cap: $3.8 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Average; Dividend yield: 3.6%) recently became a U.S. company and changed its name from Encana Corp. A key reason for the move to the U.S. was to make it easier for U.S.-based ETFs and index funds to add Ovintiv’s stock to their portfolios. That should help push up the share price for all investors. Before the move, ETFs and other passive funds held about 7% of Encana’s shares. Since shifting to the U.S., those investors now own 11% of Ovintiv. That could rise to 20% if S&P Dow Jones Indices adds the company to either its MidCap 400 index or SmallCap 600 index. Ovintiv Inc. is a buy. GREAT-WEST LIFECO, $24.96, is still a hold. The insurer (Toronto symbol GWO; shares o/s: 926.3 million; Market cap: $23.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 7.0%; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is now buying California-based Personal Capital. That firm currently manages $12.3 billion…