Power Corp. Gains From Top Holdings

Article Excerpt

Power Corp. has held up well lately despite exceptional volatility in stock markets and in financial services stocks. That’s because both of its major holdings are leaders in their fields, are cheap in relation to their steady earnings and have long histories of rising dividends. POWER CORPORATION $31.55 (Toronto symbol POW; SI Rating: Above average) is a diversified holding company. Power Corp. controls one of Canada’s largest mutual-fund companies, IGM Financial, and Great-West Lifeco, one of the largest life insurers. Power Financial, 66.4% held, is a holding company for Power Corp.’s financial assets, including 72.9% of Great-West Lifeco and 58.4% of IGM Financial. As well, Power Financial holds 50% of Parjointco, which in turn owns a 54.3% interest in Swiss-listed Pargesa Holdings SA. Pargesa has 95% of its assets in five large European companies: Imerys (minerals), Total SA (oil), Pernod Ricard (wine and spirits), Suez (energy, water and waste services) and Lafarge SA (cement and building materials). In the three months ended June…