Stockchase Opinions

Gordon Reid American International Group AIG-N BUY Aug 03, 2016

If you believe that rates will go up, this is a good place to invest. Insurance companies make most of their money on their bond portfolios. This company just reported and had a very strong report by basically increasing the quality of earnings, and recognizing the fact that rates are not rising. Have also cut costs by 11% year-over-year. They’ve been in the program of exiting non-core assets quite effectively. Given their very attractive pricing against their BV, it is a good place to invest.

$58.100

Stock price when the opinion was issued

insurance
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DON'T BUY

Had owned this until about a year ago, and then moved aside. Had some difficulties with management. Even against their peer group in the insurance space, this company is not operating that efficiently.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Jan 4/17, Down 6%) He thought the street might recognize its value. He got his money back but decided he could do better elsewhere.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Jan 5/17. Down 5%.) Very disappointing. Still struggling and is at EBV-3. As interest rates go up, this should do better.

HOLD

Fine at current levels and would stick with it. It's building a base around $59-60. Looks solid here.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Feb 6/17 Down 5%). He thinks insurance companies are having a tough go. They are not benefiting like other financial assets. He is disappointed with its performance.

DON'T BUY

The company is trading below book value. He does not see many companies who can combine P&C and Life business well. It has never really recovered from the financial crisis.

PAST TOP PICK

(Past Top Pick, June 13, 2017, Down 12%) He sold his earnings last November to cut his losses. The reason was that AIG took massive writedowns after their new CEO took over. He didn't want to be in this turnaround plan.

COMMENT

AIG-N vs. MET-N. AIG-N has been recapitalizing since the disaster of the financial crisis. MET-N did not suffer these issues. The life business is in pretty decent shape but he prefers Canadian lifecos.

HOLD
Stock is slowly turning around. Longer term, not a bad place to be. It has too many verticals. Doesn't see a major issue from coronavirus.
DON'T BUY
AIG is famous for imploding during the Great Recession and remains a major player. Outside Canada, he avoids insurers. In Canada he likes Sun-Life and Manulife, because there's less competition. Elsewhere, it's more competitive, but earnings are more volatile.