Jeff Parent B. Eng. FCSI CIMIndustrial-Alliance Life InsIAG.TOHOLDJun 28, 2019

Pressures on the asset management business in the sector remain intense. So you need to rely on the insurance side to carry the day.

Instead, he prefers and owns SLF and MFC in the sector. Also likes their growth in Asian asset management.

An unknown insurance company. Undervalued. Has a well positioned distribution network. Trades at a discount to its peers. Gives you insurance exposure in the financial services asset class. Still a growth story. Yield is 3.1% (Analysts' price target is $63.67.)

They focus more on personal insurance, but have been consolidating personal investment advisors with the largest network of advisors in Canada now. It trades at 9 times earnings and they are growing the dividend. It is cheaper than a Sunlife or Manulife. Yield 2.9%. (Analysts’ price target is $63.22)

The fact that interest rates have been very low had affected the insurance industry. Not an expensive stock. Trading at 9.5 times earnings. Headwinds against these businesses is where interest rates go. He would look at other players in the industry with much more diversified businesses and better chances of growing.