This insurance spinoff has promise

Article Excerpt

Brookfield Asset Management recently spun off its little-known insurance business—Trisura Group. Unlike bigger insurance companies and brokerage firms focused on providing individual life, health and property insurance, Trisura sells specialized policies to businesses. That coverage includes protection against class-action lawsuits and product warranty claims. Trisura has several of the qualities we look for when evaluating a new spinoff. Its former parent company set it up to succeed by supplying plenty of capital and even some key executives. As well, a firm controlled by several of Brookfield’s directors and senior officers holds about 9% of Trisura. That cuts the likelihood of a takeover, but should support the company’s expansion plans. TRISURA GROUP LTD. $27 (Toronto symbol TSU; Finance Sector; Shares outstanding: 5.8 million; Market cap: $156.6 million; Takeover Target Rating: Medium; No dividends paid; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.trisura. com) offers specialized insurance in three areas: Risk Solutions (39% of Trisura’s gross premiums) provides warranties for products manufactured by companies; Surety Insurance…