Stockchase Opinions

Barry Schwartz American International Group AIG-N TOP PICK Jun 13, 2017

Has a new CEO, a long-time industry veteran. The company is still having a tough time coming out of the financial crisis. Its focus in recent years has been cost cutting, working down debt, buying back stock, but it really hasn’t had much profitable growth. The new CEO is focused on profitable growth. This stock is so cheap, trading at .8X BV, where most of them are trading at 1.4X BV. There is no reason it can’t get it to that level. It is going to take time and could get ugly and messy, but he is willing to commit 3-5 years. If it happens, it will be a $100+ stock. Dividend yield of 2%. (Analysts’ price target is $70.50.)

$64.230

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.