GWO expands in Ireland

Article Excerpt

GREAT-WEST LIFECO $36.60 (Toronto symbol GWO; Shares outstanding: 993.2 million; Market cap: $36.4 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Yield: 3.8%; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is one of Canada’s largest insurance firms. The company also offers mutual funds and wealth management services. Power Financial owns 67.2% of Great-West. In the past few years, the insurer has expanded its presence in Ireland. In July 2013, it paid $1.75 billion for Irish Life, that country’s largest pension manager and life insurance provider. Irish Life has now announced two purchases: it is buying Aviva Health, and increasing its stake in GloHealth from 49% to 100%. Great-West has yet to disclose the acquisition costs. But Aviva and GloHealth will merge to become one of the biggest health insurers in Ireland. The combined company will have a base of more than 400,000 customers. The deals should close by the end of the year. Great-West Lifeco is a buy. buy…