STOCKCHASE

(A Top Pick Oct 29/07. Down 14%.) Will be ingesting their US acquisition. Life insurance companies are down almost as much as some of the banks but their credit exposure is way smaller.

2008-09-17

TOP PICK

31.090

Just reported. Numbers were great and they raised the dividend. Has US exposure but on the health insurance side so not too economically sensitive. US Putnam group is not going that well but is only about 4% in total. About 11X earnings.

2008-08-18

BUY

26.880

Neil Wickham

Good solid life insurance business. Expects their US Putnam holdings to produce some outstandingly good earnings growth over the next 2 or 3 years.

2008-07-14

BUY

31.270

A financial with a lot of US exposure. Was hurt with the general malaise towards financials although it wasn’t a big player in bad commercial paper or mortgages. Also suffering because a lot of its operations are in the US and the strong Cdn$ hurt them. Great company and good management.

2008-06-13

VAGUE

30.140

Manulife is a better international play. Great West is North American. If you’re looking for turnaround Great West is the better buy. Long-term Manulife is stronger.

2008-03-27

DON'T BUY

30.170

Will struggle a little bit because of a $500 million lawsuit.

2008-03-03

BUY

31.350

(Market Call Minute.) A great insurance company. A Buy, but he prefers to play it through Power Financial (PWF-T).

2008-02-28

BUY

32.340

Paul Gardner, CFA

Excellent management and excellent products. Probably a good Buy at this time. Likes the dynamics of ManuLife (MFC-T) a little better.

2008-02-05

HOLD

33.600

(Market Call Minute.) Prefers Power Financial (POW-T).

2008-01-11

DON'T BUY

34.910

Ross Healy

Feels that a lot of money has left the banks and money managers to move into the lifecos. It means that companies such as Sun Life (SLF-T), Great West (GWO-T) and Manufacturers (MFC-T) have caught up to the peak of and are exceeding their FMV.

2007-12-20

Comment

35.000

(Market Call Minute.) He prefers buying this lens through the top company, Power Corporation (POW-T).

2007-12-18

TOP PICK

36.330

Good buying opportunity.They are the 5th biggest mutual fund company in the US. He bought at mid to high 20's.

2007-10-29

SELL

36.420

Chyanne Fickes

They apparently are also involved with the sub prime situation. Given that it has done really well in the last little while, relative to ManuLife (MFC-T), she would switch.

2007-10-01

BUY

35.580

Brian Acker, CA

His model price is $37.08. About a 6% upside. Would buy it for a long-term hold.

2007-08-30

BUY

35.820

Favours insurance companies over banks right now. This one favours US exposure and has seen the worst of the Cdn$ rise.

2007-08-29

BUY

35.050

The Putnam group was a pretty substantial acquisition. This company has a good track record on acquisitions. Pretty reasonable valuation. Well run.

2007-07-31

BUY

35.050

Brendan Caldwell

The whole Power Financial group (PWF-T) has been well managed for a long period of time.

2007-07-24

HOLD

34.380

Bob Stodgell

Thinks it's a good company. It's lagged over the last little while, due to interest rate fears.

2007-06-11

Comment

36.580

On a PE basis, this is the most expensive of the 3, Sun Life (SLF-T) and Manufacturers (MFC-T), but also has one of the best yields.

2007-05-16

BUY

36.030

Likes this company a lot. Their acquisition of Putnam Investments in the US was good. Expect this will increase more US investment interest.

2007-05-14

TOP PICK

35.440

The under-performer among the life companies, partially because of their acquisition of the Putnam Group. This gives them a good mutual fund business. Very well run. Good dividend increases.

2007-04-23

TOP PICK

35.090

Acquired Putnam Group in the US, which will really put a stamp on themselves in the US. Increase dividends.

2007-03-29

BUY

35.000

Owns a little, but prefers the other insurers. Acquiring the Putnam Group, the US mutual fund, which should give them good synergies. Will probably issue shares so the stock price could be depressed in the near term.

2007-03-26

BUY

34.000

Likes the company but prefers to own it through its parent, Power Corp. (POW-T). Made a very interesting acquisition in the US. If they are successful in turning it around, it'll be a home run.

2007-03-14

BUY

37.360

Patrick Kim

Putnam Fund acquisition in the US is being looked on very favourably. Issue could exposure to the US market and the equity market is strong.

2007-02-22

Comment

35.760

Jonathen Wellum, B. Comm, B. Sc

Prefers to play this one by buying Power Corp. (POW-T). Acquisition of the Putnam Funds is a very interesting opportunity for Great West. Gives it a platform in the US as well as a turnaround possibility.

2007-02-13

BUY

35.270

Picking up Putnam Funds in the US, so they are becoming a substantial wealth management company. Have a long-term track record of being very disciplined. Very investor and shareholder focused.

2007-02-09

BUY

35.460

Chris Smith

Indirectly owns this one through Power Financial (PWF-T). Quite optimistic with the acquisition of the US Putnam Group.

2007-02-07

TOP PICK

34.440

(Due to technical difficulties, comments were not available.)

2007-01-11

BUY

33.930

Jean-Francois Tardif

This is an industry that has been growing for a long, long time. Population is aging and people need insurance. An extremely well-managed company. He doesn't do large cap companies.

2007-01-10

PAST TOP PICK

33.340

(A Top Pick Feb 24/06. Up 13.8%.) Picked it as it was lagging a little bit. Would still buy in the $33 range. 20% plus ROE.

2006-12-21

BUY

33.630

A fantastic performer. Nice, study, creeping higher and higher. Well-managed. Good dividend yield.

2006-11-27

TOP PICK

32.900

The mutual fund of insurance companies. Very good dividend at almost 3%. Under the radar screen in relation to Manulife (MFC-T).

2006-11-07

SELL

32.720

ROE has deteriorated. Interest rate sensitive, so it is very important that interest rates go lower. He just sold his holdings.

2006-11-03

BUY

31.380

Should be good and solid. Tracking up nicely.

2006-10-19

BUY

30.570

Paul Harris, CFA

Longer term will continue to do well. Insurance industry is not very expensive and pays a good yield.

2006-10-04

DON'T BUY

30.600

Dividend of 3.1%. Has experienced problems with its US businesses. If you want to be in the life insurance sector, would prefer Manu Life (MFC-T). Would prefer banks over life insurance.

2006-10-03

TOP PICK

29.190

20% ROE. Health insurance in the US is a big part of their insurance side. Probably has only 10/12% earnings growth over the next quarter, but with the high ROE and 3% dividend, he can see 15% for the next 12 months.

2006-09-11

BUY

29.270

Chyanne Fickes

It's really done nothing for so long and has been very much range bound. Outlook for them is quite good.

2006-08-31

HOLD

28.880

His favourite life insurance is Manufacturers (MFC-T) but this is also a great company.

2006-08-22

HOLD

28.750

Robert Floyd

Performing reasonably well. Earnings will be based on the market somewhat so can be cyclical.

2006-08-02

BUY

28.500

Made a good acquisition in the US in order to raise their profile in health services. Has gone sideways for a while.

2006-07-05

BUY

27.850

Like all insurance companies, held up relatively well although it under performed both Manulife (MFC-T) and Sun Life (SLF-T). A large part of their business is the US health insurance and wouldn't be surprised to see them working on something with this.

2006-06-08

BUY

29.660

Has been a laggard in the life insurance business compared to Sun Life (SLF-T) and Manufacturer's Life (MFC-T). The prospects for them are picking up. Prefers owning this through Power Financial (PWF-T). See his Top Pick.

2006-03-21

BUY on WEAKNESS

29.620

Ross Healy

Great West Life Insurance is suffering from two problems right now. One is their fair market value is not very far from where the stock is and they are running against some stiff technical resistance. Stock has not been able to get anywhere. Does not see any upside. Wait for a correction before buying.

2006-03-16

BUY

29.490

Bill MacLachlan

He likes Great West Life. Believes it is an excellent company. Does not own directly but owns through Power Corp. Significant exposure south of the border which has hurt them a bit. Life insurance is a great business. They like the insurance sector. They also own Manulife and Kingsway.

2006-03-15

DON'T BUY

29.460

Prefers Sun Life and Manulife. It's the cheapest of the bunch. Recommends Power Financial over it.

2006-03-13

VAGUE

29.390

David Burrows

This stock has lagged. It is less liquid than other insurance companies. It is okay but he prefers Manulife.

2006-02-27

VAGUE

29.300

Gordon Higgins, CA, MBA, CFA

Stock has not done much, it has lagged a little. It is low risk and feels it will do better though.

2006-02-25

VAGUE

29.380

There has been an increase in their dividends. The company is struggling in the U.S.. He prefers Manulife Insurance Company.

2006-02-21

TOP PICK

29.530

Comparing to SunLife, Manulife. Sunlife and Manulife have recently done well, so this was his pick. It also has a higher rate of profit growth, so overall better characteristics. But any of the three are good.

2006-02-20

BUY

29.790

A very well run company. Good long-term hold. Hold for 3-5 years, should do well.

2006-02-10

HOLD

30.750

A great blue chip company.

2006-01-03

BUY

30.250

Life insurance companies continue to be good investments in Canada. This is not his favourite, but it is a good name.

2005-12-28

DON'T BUY

28.600

David Burrows

Insurance companies in general are performing quite well. This one is underperforming to some degree. Prefers Manulife (MFC-T).

2005-11-11

BUY

28.810

A well run insurance company. Damages because of hurricanes, etc will be small as they re-insure their risks.

2005-10-31

WEAK BUY

27.440

Part of the Power Financial Group (PWF-T) which he likes. That said, if he had to own a single life insurance company, it would be Manulife (MFC-T) which gives you great presence in the far east.

2005-10-25

BUY

29.300

Gordon Higgins, CA, MBA, CFA

A very solid, gentle, gradual upsloping chart. Good dividends.

2005-09-27

HOLD

29.140

Laura Wallace

A really good insurance company. Has lagged Sun Life (SLF-T) and Manufacturers (MFC-T) because of their US health business where the margins have been weak. An OK investment.

2005-09-26

BUY

28.660

Ron Meisels

One of the very attractive stocks. Among the financials, likes the lifeco's better than the banks. Has been rising and has consistantly been a good performer.

2005-08-31

BUY

29.050

Danny Tomka

A good operator. A long history of consolidating history. Increasing profitability.

2005-08-24

BUY

29.550

A steady performer. Around 15% ROE plus a good history of increased dividends. A stock that just chugs along. No real excitement, but nothing wrong with it. A good Buy and Hold.

2005-08-11

HOLD

29.070

Bill Carrigan

The bull on financial services is long in the tooth at 30 months. This one's in a growth channel. Once it gets to the top of its channel, it is possibel it will drop and look for support at the lower part of its channel. Could just trade sideways. Wouldn't buy.

2005-08-09

BUY

28.950

Doesn't have as much up sdie as Sun Life (SLF-T) and Manulife (MFC-T) because it is somewhat privately owned. Extremely well run. Conservative. Anytime you see a pullback on the major financials, you should be buying because they will be going back up.

2005-08-08

BUY

28.950

Of the 3, likes Sun Life (SLC-T) on the valuation and the profit growth is moderate, enough to make him believe it is capable of putting up a 15% ROE. Manulife (MFC-L) is on the expensive side, but the rate of profit growth implies that you will see positive earnings surprises. Great West has a higher level of profit growth at 18%.

2005-08-05

BUY

30.550

David Burrows

If he were to own something in the Canadian financial services area, he would be more focused on the life insurance area. Would take this and Manulife (MFC-T) over the banks. Growth profiles look that much better. Good yield.

2005-08-04

BUY

29.990

Ron Meisels

An attractive stock. Formed an excellent base and broke out of that at around $20, rose to $26, had a pause and recently went into all time high territory. "All time high" is not a problem to buy into because there are no losers, so no one is selling.

2005-07-29

BUY

29.030

The life insurance industry in general is a positive one. You could play this through Power Financial (PWF-T) which he does.

2005-07-26

BUY

28.510

David Driscoll

Getting about 2% on a company that's going to grow about 10% a year.

2005-06-28

BUY

27.950

Fred Sturm

An industry that's generating very high return on equity. The insurance sector is a very good long term hold. Should go higher over time.

2005-06-22

BUY

27.400

Likes both Great West Life (GWO-T) and Manulife (MFC-T). Manulife is more international. Both blue chip stocks.

2005-06-08

BUY

26.860

Good company, but prefers to own through Power Financial (PWF-T). Of the 2, prefers Manu LIfe (MFC-T) because of their better international exposure and better new products coming out.

2005-06-06

DON'T BUY

27.450

Rob Callander

Play this stock through Power Financial (PWF-T). This gives you a little more diversification.

2005-05-26

BUY

27.100

A great solid company.

2005-05-25

WEAK BUY

27.290

Solid company. Prefers owning this through Power Corp. (POW.SV-T) or even Power Financial (PWF-T). Views Power Corp as the top of the pyramid.

2005-05-24

BUY

27.100

Prefers owning this through Power Financial (PWF-T). A decent company to own here.

2005-05-17

BUY

27.100

Bill MacLachlan

A long term investment. He owns it through Power Corp (POW-T). One of the best managed life companies in Canada. Good growth potential. Also sees it as a steady performer with a good track record with earnings and dividend increases.

2005-05-17

PAST TOP PICK

27.560

(A Top Pick Mar 24/05. Up 1%.) A 20% ROE, a 12 X earnings multiple and a 3% dividend yield. This is exactly the kind of a stock for an uncertain market.

2005-05-16

WAIT

27.200

Gordon Higgins, CA, MBA, CFA

Likes both Great West Life (GWO-T) and Manulife (MFC-T). Valuation is a little weaker on the stock. ROE level is quite high with a strong growth rate. A little rich on valuation, but still likely to perform in line with the financial sector which will probably be up 10/15% per annum over the next 2 years. Labour Day would be an excellent time to Buy.

2005-05-13

BUY

27.050

David Cockfield

One of the companies that have a broad range of products but not in the more vulnerable area of casualty. Good reputation. Yield is not too bad and sees it increasing. Good long term hold.

2005-05-12

HOLD

27.500

Has been a solid performer. Prefers Manulife (MFC-T) as he feels Great West is more fully priced. No catalyst for growth, it's just a slow and steady performer.

2005-05-03

BUY

27.200

Keep on churning out the earnings growth. Good dividend growth. 10/12% earnings growth plus 2% dividend growth is very attractive.

2005-04-26

BUY

26.800

Mark Jackson, CFA

Well run. Very strong management. One risk on the horizon is that they were very astute and hedged a lot of their US$ risk. They do generate a lot of their earnings out of the US. That hedge is coming off so there could be a hit if the $ keeps going up.

2005-04-13

BUY

27.200

Ron Meisels

Chart shows it has stayed below a very important neckline and then had its breakout at the beginning of '04 and at that stage the moving average has done well. Has dropped back a little and should find support at this level. $26/27 is a good buying opportunity. Insurance companies are doing much better than the bank stocks at this stage.

2005-04-11

DON'T BUY

27.030

Ross Healy

All of the insurance companies are pretty much at the kinds of levels where he doesn't find them attractive to buy. They're at long term highs and he would wait for much better opportunities.

2005-04-07

WEAK BUY

27.110

John Zechner

Comfortable that financials are very defensive plays to be in. A bit concerned about a few things within the investment portfolio. Corporate bond spreads have started opening up a bit and a little concerned they may miss in the 1st quarter. Would be cautious on Lifeco's in the short term.

2005-04-06

BUY

26.600

Likes the insurance business in Canada. This is one of the biggest. Owns Power Financial (PWF-T) which owns the controlling interest in Great West as well as Investors Group (IGM) and Canada Life which is another way of looking at it.

2005-03-31

DON'T BUY

26.930

Not his favourite among the life companies. Prefers Manulife (MFC-T) which has better prospects. Could also play this company through Power Corp (POW-T) or Power Financial (PWF-T).

2005-03-29

BUY

27.060

Paul Harris, CFA

A great organization. Had some issues with their US franchises which are being sorted out. You would be better buying this stock relative to Manulife (MFC-T). Feels Manulife is slightly overpriced. Doesn't agree with the market on the gains they are going to make with John Hancock.

2005-03-28

TOP PICK

27.000

His favourite of all the financials right now. 21% return on equity. Probably $2.10/2.15 in earnings this year and close to $2.50 next year. At 11.5 X earnings with a 3% plus dividend and the high ROE gives you great quality. Good pick if you are worried about the market.

2005-03-24

BUY

27.270

Martin Hubbes, CFA

A very well managed business. The real growth opportunity is in the US where they are involved in health care. Business was struggling over the last few years and now seems to be turning around. Extremely well managed and always get good return on equity over the long haul. He owns Power Corp (POW.SV-T) which is an alternative way to own Great West.

2005-03-21

BUY

27.970

George Loughery

Always been the top quality company in its sector. Well run. Could do better on their US operations. Canada Life acquisition is well behind them. Reasonably well placed, compared to its peer group. Stock price has probably had its major growth, so will probably be slower. First couple of interest rate increases might help them because they have stipulated minimums in some of the states where they haven't obtained legislative relief.

2005-03-15

DON'T BUY

28.600

Michael Sprung

Good market performer. Hard to justify the premium.

2005-03-01

DON'T BUY

29.000

Brian Acker, CA

Not mis-priced. Model price is $28.35. Would prefer the banks.

2005-02-22

BUY

27.950

Mark Jackson, CFA

Likes the group. Has been able to deliver earnings growth year in year out. Valuation looks attractive. Owns Power Financial instead.

2005-02-01

BUY

27.750

Laura Wallace

All the Power group has done well, but out of Power Financial, Power Corp, Investors Group and Great West Life, they prefer Investors Group which has the best outlook. Great West has done really well. Wouldn't object to owning any of these, but they trade at a discount so you don't get the full benefit. Likes the European exposure in Power Corp.

2005-01-31

BUY

26.950

Nice strong blue chip. One of his favourites in the insurance sector. Don't own this, but do have Power Financial. A great long term hold.

2005-01-19

DON'T BUY

26.100

Andrew McCreath

In the life sector would prefer Manulife. Great West has exposure to the rising Cdn$ because of their US business. Some of their holdings will have some challenges in profit excpectations.

2005-01-17

BUY

26.050

Fred Sturm

A well run company. Good ability to keep finances tight. Good long term hold.

2005-01-14

BUY

26.200