Another acquisition for Great-West

Article Excerpt

GREAT-WEST LIFECO INC. $36 (Toronto symbol GWO; Conservative Growth and Income Portfolios, Finance sector; shares outstanding: 989.9 million; Market cap: $35.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.8; Dividend yield: 4.3%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.greatwestlifeco. com) is Canada’s second-largest insurance company, after Manulife Financial. It also offers mutual funds and wealth management services. The company recently agreed to acquire U.K.-based Retirement Advantage. That private firm offers retirement planning, annuities and pension services. Great-West has yet to reveal the purchase price, but should complete the deal in the next few months. Generally, using acquisitions to expand adds risk. Great-West Lifeco is a hold. hold…