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Top Insurance Company Stocks to Buy in 2019

Melisa R. H. Posted On July 18, 2019
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Insurance companies are financial institutions that are in the business of risk management. Generally, these companies are either life insurance or property and casualty insurance. The two types have different considerations.

Life Insurance companies are mandated by the government to maintain a certain level of reserve. These companies are thus less leveraged. It is important to note that insurers evaluate assets at market value but liabilities at book value. These life insurance policies have a long term outlook, as benefits are not paid out for many years.

Property and casualty insurance companies have shorter policy duration. Due to the nature of this type of insurance, timing and amount of liabilities are less certain than for life insurance companies. These insurance companies also go through an underwriting cycle.

🚑 Insurance Company

Canada Stocks

Manulife Financial (MFC-T) Life & Health Insurance
A Canadian multinational insurance company. They announced good earnings and profits, as well as pays a good dividend. They have been growing internationally, with growth particularly in Asia. They pay a dividend of 4.1%

Manulife Financial (MFC-T) — Stockchase
Manulife Financial (MFC-T) — Stockchase

Insurance companies usually benefit from rising rates. Global company. Financials are attractive, as he expects the yield curve to normalize over the next year or two.

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Industrial-Alliance Life Ins (IAG-T)
A Quebec City based insurance company with a wealth management business. Their operations are more focused on personal insurance. A more regional insurer. The dividend at 3% is considered safe.

Industrial-Alliance Life Ins (IAG-T) — Stockchase
Industrial-Alliance Life Ins (IAG-T) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick Nov 13/20, Up 33%) Has started buying back shares and paying dividends. Financials should do well as the yield curve steepens. Valuation is not as compelling as before. Middle of the pack. Has moved to US banks and non-financial banks in Canada.

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Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF-T)
One of the largest and oldest life insurance companies in the world. They are diversifying into wealth management and buying real estate. A long-term hold that pays a good dividend at 4%.

Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF-T) — Stockchase
Sun Life Financial Inc (SLF-T) — Stockchase

As interest rates rise, lifecos tend to do better. On the other hand, it is offset by weaker equity markets. It will be choppy. For a trade, you could accumulate here. He owns Manulife instead. Range trade this.

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Great West Lifeco (GWO-T)
A value pick with low volatility. They operate in North America, Europe and Asia through subsidiaries that are regionally focused. A good long-term hold when interest rates rise. However the short term rate outlook has changed and it has affected the stock. The yield is 5%.

Great West Lifeco (GWO-T) — Stockchase
Great West Lifeco (GWO-T) — Stockchase

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.

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Fairfax Financial (FFH-T) Property & Casualty Insurance
A financial holding company has activities in property, casualty and life insurance. They also operate in the investment management and insurance claims management sphere. It is well-run and a good long term hold.

Fairfax Financial (FFH-T) — Stockchase
Fairfax Financial (FFH-T) — Stockchase

Excellent management with Prem Watsa. 2021 a turning point in the business (net earnings up 15x, revenues up 34%). Struggling company that has turned the corner. Insurance business that is able to raise prices. Insurance float is positively affected by increase in interest rates.

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Intact Financial (IFC-T)
The largest provider of property and casualty insurance in Canada. They have a strong balance sheet and has grown well. Intact is now well-positioned to make acquisitions.

Intact Financial (IFC-T) — Stockchase
Intact Financial (IFC-T) — Stockchase

It has performed very well in Canada. Continues to make acquisitions in North America and elsewhere. It is a good (necessary) business since people need to spend money on insurance. He would keep if owned but prefers one in the same field which will be one of his top picks.

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U.S. Stocks

St. Paul Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV-N) Property & Casualty Insurance
One of the largest U.S. insurance companies for commercial property casualty insurance and personal insurance. They pay a dividend of 2.12%

St. Paul Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV-N) — Stockchase
St. Paul Travelers Companies Inc. (TRV-N) — Stockchase

2.5% dividend. Financials in general seem to be mispriced.

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First American Corp. (FAF-N)
They are in the home insurance business. This is a play on the US housing market where prices have softened. This has affected the stock performance this year. They have done a good job of consistently raising their dividend which is at 3%.

First American Corp. (FAF-N) — Stockchase
First American Corp. (FAF-N) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick Jun 27/18, Up 3%) They are in the home insurance business and more particularly title insurance. In the US housing markets, prices have softened. This has had a negative effect on this name. The title insurance premium charged is based on the price of the home. So this has hampered its stock…

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Allstate (ALL-N)
An efficient insurance company that is generating free cash flow. They reduced their share count by half and raised dividends. Low interest rates have been detrimental as premiums are not generating as much income. The yield is at 2.1%

Allstate (ALL-N) — Stockchase
Allstate (ALL-N) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick May 27/21, Down 2%) Long-term core holding. Buys back shares, raises dividend. Premier P&C insurer in NA. Great business at a cheap price.

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Kingsway Financial Services (KFS-T)
A property and casualty insurer in the United States. They operate through several segments, each covering insurance underwriting, extended warranty, and leased real estate.

Kingsway Financial Services (KFS-T) — Stockchase
Kingsway Financial Services (KFS-T) — Stockchase

$3 is going to act as resistance. He would not average down or up until we get above $3.

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Markel Corporation. (MKL-N)
A holding company for insurance that invest its cash in stocks instead of bonds They are getting into wealth management through insurance but there were some hiccups last year. Still, it is a well run company with a good track record.

Markel Corporation. (MKL-N) — Stockchase
Markel Corporation. (MKL-N) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick Nov 19/19, Down 10%) Similar to Berkshire Hathaway. Would rather invest in a pure play that's easier to understand, so he sold. Good management. Good entry point here.

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Progressive Corp Ohio (PGR-N)
The largest provider of car insurance in the U.S. They have low cost operations so their profitability and growth are higher than their peers. It’s enjoyed a long-term uptrend.

Progressive Corp Ohio (PGR-N) — Stockchase
Progressive Corp Ohio (PGR-N) — Stockchase

Very fine company. One of the best property and casualty companies in the world. Relatively resilient, defensive business model. Long-term, he recommends it. But for short and medium performance, we're exiting a recession, so it makes sense to put more capital into cyclicals.

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Aflac Inc (AFL-N) Life & Health Insurance
The largest provider of supplemental insurance in the United States. They pay a dividend of 1.94%. They have consistently beat earnings and are growing. A low volatile name.

Aflac Inc (AFL-N) — Stockchase
Aflac Inc (AFL-N) — Stockchase

Global leaders in supplemental health insurance. Phenomenal track record of growth. A few ups and downs this year, but up nicely. Classic, long-term growth stock. If it drops, consider adding. If it goes to new highs, trim a bit.

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Metlife (MET-N)
A holding corporation for Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. They are buying back stocks. The US retirement portfolio has been doing well, and they are growing in Asia and Europe.

Metlife (MET-N) — Stockchase
Metlife (MET-N) — Stockchase

The insurers have been in fire, like MetLife. He believes rates will go higher, so definitely stick with them.

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Prudential Financial Inc (PRU-N)
A financial company that has operations in insurance, wealth management and other financial products through their subsidiaries. It has been through a tough couple of years, but it may be changing. It pays a dividend of 4%.

Prudential Financial Inc (PRU-N) — Stockchase
Prudential Financial Inc (PRU-N) — Stockchase

(A Top Pick Feb 25/21, Up 25%) Will benefit from rising rates. De-risking assets. Good technical chart. Outperforming the S&P. Only 0.7x price to book. Yield is 4.3%.

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