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

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Great West Lifeco (GWO.TO)

80.38

+0.77 (0.97%)

as of Jun 4, 2026, 8:00:01 pm Market Open.

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Investor Insights

Jun 4, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 8 opinions in the last 12 months.

Great West Lifeco (GWO) has garnered strong reviews from various experts, highlighting its solid performance in the insurance sector and a promising dividend yield range of approximately 3.5% to 5%. Analysts note that the company is technically robust, reaching new highs with a steadily rising 200-day moving average, although they suggest potential for a better entry point considering recent market dynamics. Many experts compare GWO favorably against competitors like MFC, appreciating its stability and good asset quality while acknowledging lower volatility reflected in its beta. Dividend growth expectations are optimistic, suggesting consistent returns in a challenging economic environment, making GWO an attractive consideration for income-focused investors, despite the current assessment of its valuation at levels above conventional metrics.

Consensus

Buy

Valuation

Fair Value

Similar

MFC

BUY ON WEAKNESS

Has a strong long term growth profile. Is well-run, global, trades a a single-digit PE and pays over a 6% dividend. Buy during current market weakness.

DON'T BUY

Lifecos have not been performing. Yes, rates are rising, but not at the long end of the curve, like 10-30 years. Their asset portfolio is getting hurt by rising rates, too, as reflected in quarterly reports.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick Oct 12/21, Down 12%) Even today, his top income pick. Healthy dividend yield, low valuation. Yield about 6%, PE around 10x, pretty reasonable growth profile. A bit less sensitive to equity markets.

DON'T BUY

It has under-performed the group and he doesn't see much future momentum or closing of the gap to its peers. He holds Manulife instead since it has held up well and has much better growth potential as well as Asian exposure. Manulife has a great dividend yield of 5.6%

WEAK BUY

Insurance companies as a group are down 20% YTD, while the TSX is down around 12%. Weaker economy hurts. Question is whether it's overly reflected in the sector? GWO tends to trade at a premium, clean earnings. He'd buy the sector, given the nice dividends and low valuations. Second half won't be as bad as the first. He'd go with MFC, trading at 6.5x earnings. Second choice SLF, third GWO.

WEAK BUY

GWO vs. MFC vs. SLF He looks at price to book. MFC is one of the cheapest names out there. GWO is trading at 1.17x, whereas MFC is at 0.87x. SLF is more expensive at 1.4x, but you get the heavier wealth management arm and more exposure to Asia. No issue with it, pretty high and secure dividend at 6.3%. On a combination of growth and valuation, he likes MFC more. GWO is on par with SLF as a pick.

BUY

A solid insurer, but it trades at a premium to peers because it's less volatile. Pays a nice dividend and they are well capitalized to ride out economic uncertainties. A solid income name.

WEAK BUY

All Canadian lifecos are down. This pays a 6.4% dividend, safe. Definite value here. Price to book is only 1.17x. Prefers Manulife for its growth, though, and pays a 6% dividend.

DON'T BUY

Shares are down, but dividends are higher. They're controlled by Power Corp and underperform. So, he prefers Sun Life as well as telcos like BCE and Telus, if you want dividends--and it's a great time to buy dividend stocks.

BUY

Considered using as a Top Pick today. Undervalued at 8x earnings, 6% dividend yield, very strong capital base. Growth platform more focused on more mature markets of NA and Europe. Well run. Good company. A buy here.

Unspecified

Its fair market value is very strong with lots of upside potential and a great yield. Rising interest rates should help insurance companies make money on their reserves. As a value stock it is very cheap. Would be even better at $29 to $30.

HOLD

Believes company is positioned to continue solid financial results. Higher interest rates will be good for business. Low earnings growth, but not much room for capital appreciation. Would rather invest in companies that have opportunity for share price growth.

BUY

A pocket of value in the sector, life insurance is the cheapest in the group. Lifecos definitely have room for multiple expansion and earnings growth. His preferred name, with a more mature M&A market focus, whereas an MFC is more focused on EM.

BUY

Allan Tong’s Discover Picks True, insurance isn't as exciting as EV's or the metaverse, but, hey, everybody buys insurance. For this reason, GWL is highly defensive. Also, it trades at a low 10.76x PE, boasts a stable 0.84 beta, and pays a fat 5.35% dividend (based on a payout ratio of 53.61%). And yes, rising rates will help the company. Read 3 Canadian Dividend Stocks for our full analysis.

BUY

More value right now in lifecos than in banking. GWO is his favourite for the management and capital allocation. More of a mature market focus. See his Top Picks.

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Great West Lifeco (GWO.TO)