IGM is still your better pick

Article Excerpt

Parent company Power Corp. is now simplifying the operations of its two main subsidiaries—Great-West Lifeco and IGM Financial. The plan will benefit investors in both firms, but we still prefer IGM for your new buying. GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $41 is a hold. The insurer (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; shares outstanding: 930.6 million; Market cap: $38.2 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.5; Dividend yield: 5.4%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco.com) is Canada’s second-largest life insurer, after Manulife Financial. It also offers pension and wealth management services. Power Corp. (Toronto symbol POW) owns 68.2% of the firm. In the past two years, Great-West has narrowed its focus to its main insurance and wealth management businesses. In April 2022, the company’s Empower business paid $4.35 billion for the full-service retirement business of U.S.-based Prudential Financial Inc. (New York symbol PRU). As well, in November 2023, the company paid IGM Financial (see right) $575 million for Investment Planning Counsel Inc. (IPC). IPC provides a variety of…