Latest Acquisition Has Big Potential

Article Excerpt

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $35 (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Finance sector; Shares outstanding: 892.1 million; Market cap: $31.2 billion; SI Rating: Above average) is Canada’s largest insurance company with $216.2 billion in assets under administration. Power Financial Corp. owns 75% of Great-West’s stock. The company sells its products directly and through brokers to groups and individuals, mainly under the Great-West Life, London Life and Canada Life brands. Great-West also provides retirement planning and other financial services. Canada accounts for about 45% of its revenue, followed by Europe (35%) and the United States (20%). Troubled Putnam could be a bargain Great-West recently agreed to buy U.S.-based mutual fund manager Putnam Investments Trust for $3.9 billion U.S. Putnam ran into trouble over a mutual fund trading scandal a few years ago, which hurt its reputation. It also helps explain the low selling price in relation to Putnam’s assets under management of $192 billion U.S. Changes in fund-manager ownership can sometimes trigger redemptions, particularly among the…