These stocks will see you through COVID-19

Article Excerpt

Our two top Canadian insurance recommendations will be slowed by the COVID-19 outbreak, particularly their Asian operations. Much of that drop stems from the global stock market downturn; it hurts their wealth management fees as their clients’ stock portfolios drop in value. As well, the market downturn hurts the extensive investment portfolios that these insurers hold to meet future claims. However, both firms should rebound quickly once the coronavirus outbreak eases. That will lift the value of their portfolios and their own share prices. Meanwhile, both offer you high, sustainable dividend yields. MANULIFE FINANCIAL CORP., $16.81, is a buy. This safety-conscious blue-chip company (Toronto symbol MFC; Shares o/s: 1.9 billion; Market cap: $32.7 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 6.7%; www.manulife.ca) is Canada’s largest life insurer. Manulife sells other forms of insurance, including health, dental and travel plans; its mutual funds and investment management services further diversifies its revenue stream. As of December 31, 2019, the company had $1.2 trillion in assets under administration. Increasingly, markets…