Outlook is bright for these leaders

Article Excerpt

INTACT FINANCIAL $109.03 (Toronto symbol IFC; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (416-341-1464; www.intactfc.com; Shares o/s: 139.2 million; Market cap: $15.2 billion; Dividend yield: 2.8%) is Canada’s largest provider of property and casualty insurance, insuring more than five million individuals and businesses. Its major brands are Intact Insurance, Canada BrokerLink and belairdirect. For the quarter ended December 31, 2018, revenue rose 4.3%, to $2.39 billion from $2.29 billion a year earlier. The gain in part reflects higher policy premiums for its commercial lines across North America. Overall earnings per share in the quarter rose 18.4%, to $1.93 from $1.63. The increased profit is mainly due to a higher contribution from the company’s personal auto business as well as sound results for OneBeacon. That firm is a Minnesota-based property-casualty insurer and offers a range of specialty insurance products. Its policyholders include architects and engineers as well as leading members of the marine, sports and entertainment industries. U.S. expansion is a great fit OneBeacon represents Intact’s 2017 entry into the U.S. market…