GREAT-WEST LIFECO $22.43 (Toronto symbol GWO; Shares outstanding: 944.2 million; Market cap: $21.2 billion; SI Rating: Above Average) is a leading Canadian insurance company, with $332.9 billion in assets under administration. It also sells wealth management and other financial services, and also operates in the U.S. and Europe. Power Financial controls 72.7% of Great-West. Excluding one-time items, Great-West’s earnings fell 34.5% in the three months ended March 31, 2009, to $326 million, or $0.35 a share, from $493 million, or $0.55. Falling stock markets cut sharply into the fees it earns from assets it manages, including Putnam’s mutual funds. Great-West shored up its already strong capital base by issuing $1 billion in common shares and $230 million in preferred shares last December. This will help it deal with any challenges ahead from the recession, and gives it plenty of flexibility to buy companies at bargain prices. Great-West is also actively cross-promoting its products to Putnam’s large client base. The stock trades at 9.8 times the $2.29 a share it will likely earn in 2009. Great-West’s $1.23 dividend yields 5.5%. Great-West Lifeco is still a buy.