Look beyond the banks for reliable dividends

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $28 (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth Payer Portfolio, Finance sector; shares outstanding: 988.4 million; Market cap: $27.7 billion; Dividend yield: 5.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is Canada’s second-largest insurance company, after Manulife Financial. It also offers mutual funds and wealth management services. Power… Read More

Updating Torstar Corp., Restaurant Brands International Inc., and IGM Financial Inc.

TORSTAR CORP. $0.91 (Toronto symbol TS.B; Aggressive Growth Portfolio; Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 80.7 million; Market cap: $73.4 million; Price-to sales ratio: 0.1; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk; Dividend yield: 11.0%; www.torstar.com) publishes The Toronto Star, along with StarMetro commuter dailies in Toronto and four other major markets. Its other holdings include… Read More

Diversify with these non-bank financials

Most investors typically hold two, three or more of the big five Canadian banks. That makes sense given their steady profit growth and rising dividends. They also give investors exposure to a wide variety of financial services, including mutual funds, retirement planning and insurance.
Even so,… Read More