Stockchase Opinions

Gordon Reid The Hanover Insurance Group THG-N TOP PICK Jul 17, 2013

Property and casualty insurance company. They have pricing power. Have toughened up their underwriting standards. Trading at about 65% of BV which tells him there is some upside. One of the things that has held them down is the interest-rate environment.

$52.510

Stock price when the opinion was issued

Financial Services
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BUY

This has done quite well. They are in a good position. There is some pricing power in the insurance business. They are also a property/casualty insurer. Trading well below Book. There is some upside on a valuation basis. Well managed.

PAST TOP PICK

(A Top Pick July 17/13. Up 22.48%.) Their bond portfolio is basically not giving them anything. With higher interest rates, that is going to be an additive to the company. Through the winter, with the storms and everything, their combined ratio climbed a little bit. They were covering their underwriting premiums, and that has not reversed. Thinks this should continue to move higher.

TOP PICK
P&C. Rough third quarter beat down earnings, but the stock really didn't move. Markets understand that insurance companies have to pay out from time to time, but this gives them pricing power. Expects $11 EPS next year and to grow double digits for the next few years. Interest rates going up is also good. Yield is 2.25%. (Analysts’ price target is $151.67)
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Jan 06/22, Up 4%) Makes money off premiums and investments. Interest rates will help income. Has pricing power and this, counterintuitively, is fed by increased number of natural disasters.