Great West Lifeco (GWO-T)

He owns and likes both this and SLF. Both GWO and SLF have 52% revenue exposure from Canada, but SLF has a bit more Asian exposure and GWO has European exposure. GWO has outperformed the TSX since last April/May, but there's more to go. Both will benefit from rising yields. GWO's yield is about 4.73%.

GWO vs. MFC Likes Great West because of its strong yield of about 4.76%. CMF dividend is 4.63%. Both have performed well since March 2020. Quite similar. MFC provides more foreign exposure, especially Asia. Insurers are doing well now, and benefit from steepening yield curves.

GWO vs. SLF Insurance companies have done a lot to reduce their risk. GWO is cheaper than SLF, with a higher growth rate, but it hasn't been as steady eddy as SLF. Whole space is pretty cheap. Dividends are safe. Boring area. You can own both, but GWO is the better buy.

GWO vs MFC vs SLF? In general, he thinks all insurance companies are safe here. They don't have the threat of rising loan losses, like the banks do. They trade cheaper than the banks. Capital ratios are solid. They are finding ways to deal with low interest rates. GWO has a good job. MFC is very cheap, compared to its peers. SLF has been the steady eddy of the group. He likes them all. He would buy now, but you might be able to purchase them cheaper in the next couple of months.

All lifecos have underperformed. GWL has great assets in Canada, but Putnam Investments in the U.S. has been a drag on them. That said, lifecos are steady and will benefit from rising interest rates. She prefers others in this space.

He owns Prudential instead. Should be a terrific time to own an insurer, but it’s not. Flattening yield curve is hurting them. Would wait to see movement in the long rates before buying. US should kick rates higher, which should help. Own the banks, which automatically benefit from growth.