Great West Lifeco (GWO.TO) Buy, Sell or Hold

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Great West Lifeco (GWO.TO)

92.34

+1.09 (1.19%)

as of Jul 15, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.

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Investor Insights

Jul 15, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 7 opinions in the last 12 months.

Great West Lifeco (GWO) has garnered positive attention from analysts, with many noting its strong technical performance and ability to hit new highs. The company is recognized for its stable earnings stemming from its insurance operations, complemented by a respectable dividend yield, which varies in analysts' reviews from 3.5% to as high as 5%. While some experts indicate it's a sturdy investment with potential for dividend growth in the high single digits, they also caution about the current high valuation as it trades above 12x PE. Comparisons with other financials like MFC suggest that GWO has a lower beta, implying that it hasn't experienced the same market volatility, making it a more stable investment. Despite some analysts suggesting a wait for better entry points or more attractive valuations, the company remains a core holding for investors seeking income with growth potential.

Consensus

Buy

Valuation

Overvalued

Similar

MFC

COMMENT

Market hates it insurance companies altogether even though they are having strong sales. Market is concerned about exposure to interest rates, segregated markets and how much equity they have. Long-term this is a great entry point and better opportunity than the banks.

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HOLD

You would get a better upside play out of Manufactures Life (MFC-T) but would also be taking on more risk. This is fine. You have to remember that when bond yields fall, this is more of a problem for lifecos. There are names with more potential upside.

BUY

If you don't have any insurance, this is a good opportunity.

COMMENT

Owns this one indirectly through Power Financial (PWF-T). Of the 3 major lifecos, this would be his favourite. Has the least exposure in the US market. Best managed. Because the lifecos are dependent on interest rates, they do well when rates are higher, not so well when they are lower.

DON'T BUY

Prefers MFC and SLF. They all have the same problem. Under loved in the market. They have problems in the US operations in Putnam and health areas. Doesn’t see big dividend increases coming through on the insurance companies. Power Corp has a better record on dividend increases.

HOLD

Like all insurance companies, it is quite exposed to the equity markets. There is a lot of fear that if equity markets go down, this will have a direct impact on this company. This is a great company and incredibly well-financed.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick July 2/10. Up 11.07%.) Would prefer to buy this one below $25, but okay at this price.

DON'T BUY

Stable yield. In a low interest rate environment it is hard for lifeco companies to make money. They all have aggressive fixed income portfolios. Life companies around the world are down. Don’t worry about their equity exposure. Lifecos will go up when interest rates go up.

DON'T BUY

He would prefer to own this through Power Financial (PWF-T). Wouldn’t be concerned about any potential time bombs (Re: European debt crisis). Doesn’t expect Lifecos to go anywhere. (This one is the best.)

BUY

Quarter was in line with expectations. Was hit at about $0.08 a share with the New Zealand and Japan disasters, which was less than expected. Also made some gains on a recent mark to market real estate because of a change in reporting standards.

BUY

20%+ ROE. Doesn’t have the upside like MFC if markets go crazy. Probably going to raise dividend late this year or early next. A nice safe place to be in to tuck away for a few years.

BUY

4.65% bond due August 2020? Strong AA. One of the best managed life companies in Canada. Well structured balance sheet with assets and liabilities being well matched. Yield is just slightly under 4.65%. Would include them in a laddered portfolio.

BUY

Great company and well managed and probably the one performing best of the lifecos. 4.8% dividend. Not a lot of growth in the short term and there are better options such as CIBC (CM-T) or National bank (NA-T).

SELL

Preferred shares. When rates go up, preferreds may plummet. Company is well run, but these are long-term securities and are perpetual so have a very long duration and are influenced by long-term interest-rate movements.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Aug 12/09. Up 8.86%.) Still a buy.

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Great West Lifeco (GWO.TO)