Great-West tops forecasts

Article Excerpt

GREAT-WEST LIFECO $22.23 (Toronto symbol GWO; Shares outstanding: 949.8 million; Market cap: $21.1 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 5.5%) is Canada’s largest insurance company, with $523.6 billion in assets under administration. It operates under several well-known banners, including Great West Life, Canada Life and Freedom 55. It also sells mutual funds and retirement planning and wealth management services. Power Financial Corp. owns 68.2% of Great-West. In the three months ended June 30, 2012, Great-West’s revenue rose 9.2%, to $7.8 billion from $7.1 billion a year earlier. Earnings fell 6.7%, to $491 million, or $0.52 a share, from $550 million, or $0.55 a share. Earnings declined from exceptionally strong results a year ago, but they still beat the consensus estimate of $0.48 a share. The company’s balance sheet is strong. As well, Great-West trades at just 10.8 times the $2.05 a share that it is likely to earn in 2012. The shares yield a high 5.5%. Great-West Lifeco is still a buy. buy…