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Great-West Lifeco (TSE:GWO)
TSX:GWO
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Great-West Lifeco (GWO) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:GWO

Great-West Lifeco

(TSX:GWO)

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Outperform 72 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:72Outperform
Price Target:
C$59.00
▲(9.58% Upside)
Great-West Lifeco's overall stock score is driven by strong financial performance and strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the U.S. Empower segment. The company's valuation is attractive with a reasonable P/E ratio and a high dividend yield. Technical indicators suggest a neutral trend, with potential momentum weakness. The earnings call reinforced confidence in the company's strategic direction despite some operational challenges.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue and EPS growth indicate strong market demand and effective execution across business segments, supporting long-term expansion.
Market Position
Empower's growth strengthens Great-West Lifeco's market position in the U.S. retirement sector, enhancing its competitive edge and client base.
Product Expansion
New product offerings diversify revenue streams and attract a broader client base, supporting long-term growth and market differentiation.
Negative Factors
Margin Pressure
Decreasing margins and cash flow suggest cost management issues, potentially impacting profitability and financial flexibility over time.
Credit-Related Impacts
Credit issues can lead to financial volatility, affecting earnings stability and requiring careful risk management to mitigate long-term impacts.
Strategic Exit
Exiting a market segment may reduce revenue diversity and growth opportunities, though it could refocus resources on more profitable areas.

Great-West Lifeco (GWO) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Great-West Lifeco Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionGreat-West Lifeco Inc., a financial services holding company, engages in the life and health insurance, retirement and investment services, asset management, and reinsurance businesses in Canada, the United States, and Europe. The company offers a portfolio of financial and benefit plan solutions for individuals, families, businesses, and organizations; life, disability, critical illness, accidental death, dismemberment, health and dental protection, and creditor insurance products; and retirement savings and income, annuity, and other specialty products. It also provides employer-sponsored retirement savings plans, individual retirement and taxable brokerage accounts, enrollment services, communication materials, investment options, and education services; and fund management, investment, and advisory services. In addition, the company offers private-label recordkeeping and administrative services; and investment products, including equity, fixed income, absolute return, and alternative strategies. Further, it provides protection and wealth management products, including payout annuity products; pension products; and life, annuity/longevity, mortgage surety, and property catastrophe reinsurance products. The company offers its products under the Canada Life, Irish Life, Empower, Putnam Investments, and PanAgora brand names. It distributes its products through a network of advisors, dealers, brokers, managing general agencies, financial institutions, consultants, third-party administrators, sales force, financial planners, employee benefit consultants, banks, and multi-tied agents. The company was founded in 1891 and is based in Winnipeg, Canada. Great-West Lifeco Inc. operates as a subsidiary of Power Financial Corporation.
How the Company Makes MoneyGreat-West Lifeco makes money through a diversified revenue model focusing on insurance premiums, investment income, and asset management fees. Insurance premiums are generated from individual and group life insurance, health insurance, and annuity products. The company earns investment income through its management of invested assets, which include bonds, mortgages, and equities, generating returns that are used to pay policyholder benefits and enhance shareholder value. Additionally, Great-West Lifeco collects fees from its asset management services, provided by subsidiaries like Putnam Investments, which manage mutual funds and institutional accounts. The company also benefits from strategic partnerships and acquisitions, which help expand its market reach and enhance its product offerings, contributing to its overall earnings growth.

Great-West Lifeco Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Aug 07, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Nov 05, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflected a strong financial performance with record base earnings and strategic growth initiatives, particularly in the U.S. Empower segment. However, challenges such as a large plan deconversion and credit-related impacts were noted. Despite these challenges, the overall strategy and execution appear robust.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Record Base Earnings and EPS Growth
Great-West Lifeco reported another record quarter of base earnings, with a 12% increase in base EPS year-over-year, driven by strong execution across all business segments.
Strong Performance in Empower
Empower delivered 13% year-over-year growth in base earnings, with plan assets growing 10% to USD 1.7 trillion and participants increasing by 500,000 to 18.5 million.
Successful Capital Management
The company has repurchased $432 million in common shares year-to-date, with plans to increase the buyback target to $1 billion for the full year, reflecting strong capital generation and financial position.
Expansion in Product Offerings
Empower introduced a zero-fee S&P 500 Index Fund and private market investments to its lineup, enhancing its value proposition for clients.
Improved Efficiency Ratio
Lifeco's efficiency ratio improved by 80 basis points year-over-year to 56.7%, with a goal to reduce this ratio below 50% over time.
Negative Updates
Large Plan Deconversion Impact
Despite strong growth, Empower faced a significant large plan deconversion in the quarter, impacting net plan inflows.
Credit-Related Impacts
The company experienced credit-related impacts related to bonds issued by UK water utilities, which affected financial results.
Exit from U.S. Traditional Life Reinsurance
Great-West Lifeco decided to exit the U.S. traditional life mortality reinsurance market due to uncompetitive returns, focusing instead on Capital Solutions and other Risk Solutions.
Company Guidance
In the second quarter of 2025, Great-West Lifeco reported strong financial performance with base earnings and base EPS both increasing by 12% year-over-year. Empower, the U.S. Retirement business, was a significant driver, contributing to a 13% rise in base earnings, despite market volatility and large plan deconversions. The company's balance sheet remained robust, supporting a full-year share buyback target increase to $1 billion. Looking ahead, Great-West Lifeco reaffirmed its medium-term financial objectives, aiming for 8% to 10% EPS growth, over 80% capital generation, a return on equity above 19%, and a dividend payout ratio between 45% and 55%. Despite ongoing market challenges, the company emphasized its strategic priorities, including leveraging technology and expanding product offerings to enhance customer experiences, with a continued focus on disciplined capital allocation to drive future growth.

Great-West Lifeco Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Great-West Lifeco demonstrates solid financial health with strong profitability and efficient equity utilization. The company shows resilience with positive revenue growth. However, declining EBIT and EBITDA margins and a slight decrease in free cash flow require attention to cost management.
Income Statement
75
Positive
Great-West Lifeco shows strong profitability with a TTM gross profit margin of 83.48% and a net profit margin of 17.35%. The company has demonstrated a positive revenue growth rate of 8.22% in the TTM period, indicating a recovery from previous declines. However, the EBIT and EBITDA margins have decreased compared to the previous year, suggesting potential cost management issues.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio is stable at 0.32, reflecting a conservative leverage position. Return on equity is healthy at 14.11%, indicating efficient use of equity to generate profits. However, the equity ratio is relatively low, suggesting a high reliance on debt financing.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Operating cash flow to net income ratio is strong at 1.49, indicating good cash generation relative to net income. However, free cash flow has declined slightly, with a negative growth rate of -1.15% in the TTM period. The free cash flow to net income ratio remains stable at 1.0, showing consistent cash flow management.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue41.10B17.22B25.27B44.70B64.45B60.60B
Gross Profit23.35B17.22B25.27B44.70B64.45B60.60B
EBITDA5.22B5.93B4.00B3.72B4.74B3.82B
Net Income3.86B4.07B2.87B3.73B3.26B3.08B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets814.84B802.16B713.23B701.46B630.49B600.49B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments25.54B24.71B19.38B18.84B17.23B7.95B
Total Debt9.29B10.23B9.65B11.29B9.73B10.71B
Total Liabilities782.15B771.01B683.38B669.14B600.00B573.48B
Stockholders Equity29.54B29.54B26.84B29.01B27.22B24.03B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow4.28B4.75B5.20B7.05B10.37B9.61B
Operating Cash Flow4.28B4.75B5.20B7.05B10.37B9.61B
Investing Cash Flow-103.00M-408.00M-786.00M-5.49B-11.21B-8.20B
Financing Cash Flow-2.71B-2.29B-3.55B-620.00M-992.00M2.01B

Great-West Lifeco Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price53.84
Price Trends
50DMA
53.04
Positive
100DMA
51.80
Positive
200DMA
50.33
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.13
Positive
RSI
50.83
Neutral
STOCH
34.83
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:GWO, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 53.84 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 54.23, above the 50-day MA of 53.04, and above the 200-day MA of 50.33, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.13 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 50.83 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 34.83 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:GWO.

Great-West Lifeco Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (68)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
59.26B8.4516.10%0.87%16.79%20.82%
76
Outperform
74.01B13.9712.14%3.95%9.37%32.06%
75
Outperform
14.46B14.4712.86%2.36%-4.55%42.41%
75
Outperform
46.68B14.7312.17%4.14%-0.61%6.69%
73
Outperform
37.34B13.6811.54%5.10%11.56%1.15%
72
Outperform
C$49.74B13.4414.19%4.43%15.27%4.72%
68
Neutral
$18.00B11.429.92%3.81%9.73%1.22%
* Financial Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:GWO
Great-West Lifeco
53.84
9.89
22.50%
MFC
Manulife Financial
31.58
3.87
13.97%
SLF
Sun Life Financial
60.19
5.62
10.30%
FRFHF
Fairfax Financial Holdings
1,790.63
565.06
46.11%
TSE:IAG
iA Financial Corporation Inc
156.36
50.37
47.52%
TSE:POW
Power Corp of Canada
58.74
17.67
43.02%

Great-West Lifeco Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyPrivate Placements and Financing
Great-West Lifeco Launches C$150 Million Preferred Shares Offering
Positive
Sep 17, 2025

Great-West Lifeco announced an agreement with a syndicate of underwriters to issue 6,000,000 Non-Cumulative First Preferred Shares, Series Z, at C$25.00 per share, raising C$150 million. The offering, which may increase to C$200 million if an option to purchase additional shares is exercised, is intended for general corporate purposes and is expected to close on or about September 24, 2025. This move is part of Lifeco’s strategy to strengthen its financial position and enhance its market presence in the financial services industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:GWO) stock is a Hold with a C$56.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Great-West Lifeco stock, see the TSE:GWO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Great-West Lifeco’s CEO to Engage in Virtual Fireside Chat
Neutral
Sep 8, 2025

Great-West Lifeco Inc. announced that Edmund F. Murphy, President and CEO of Empower, will participate in a virtual fireside chat with TD Cowen’s Senior Equity Analyst, William Katz, on September 15, 2025. This event highlights the company’s engagement with financial analysts and stakeholders, potentially impacting its market visibility and investor relations.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:GWO) stock is a Buy with a C$62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Great-West Lifeco stock, see the TSE:GWO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
Great-West Lifeco Appoints New Chief Investment Officer
Positive
Sep 4, 2025

Great-West Lifeco has appointed John Melvin as Chief Investment Officer, effective October 1, 2025. With over 30 years of investment experience, Melvin will focus on enhancing investment capabilities and identifying new growth opportunities, reflecting the company’s commitment to strengthening its leadership and supporting strategic objectives.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:GWO) stock is a Buy with a C$62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Great-West Lifeco stock, see the TSE:GWO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyStock Buyback
Great-West Lifeco Doubles Share Repurchase Limit in Strategic Move
Positive
Sep 3, 2025

Great-West Lifeco Inc. announced amendments to its normal course issuer bid (NCIB), increasing the maximum number of common shares that can be repurchased from 20 million to 40 million. The Toronto Stock Exchange approved an amendment allowing Lifeco to purchase shares from Power Financial Corporation to maintain its proportionate interest. This move supports Lifeco’s strategic plan to repurchase an additional $500 million in shares in 2025, enhancing shareholder value and maintaining market stability.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:GWO) stock is a Buy with a C$62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Great-West Lifeco stock, see the TSE:GWO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Great-West Lifeco CFO to Present at Barclays Conference
Neutral
Sep 2, 2025

Great-West Lifeco announced that its Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, Jon Nielsen, will present at the Barclays Global Financial Services Conference on September 8, 2025. This participation highlights the company’s active engagement in the financial services industry and may provide insights into its strategic direction and financial outlook.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:GWO) stock is a Buy with a C$62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Great-West Lifeco stock, see the TSE:GWO Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and Strategy
Great-West Lifeco CEO to Present at Scotiabank Financials Summit
Neutral
Aug 25, 2025

Great-West Lifeco announced that its President and CEO, David Harney, will speak at the Scotiabank Financials Summit on September 4, 2025. This engagement highlights the company’s active participation in industry events, potentially enhancing its visibility and influence within the financial sector.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:GWO) stock is a Buy with a C$62.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Great-West Lifeco stock, see the TSE:GWO Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.Date of analysis: Sep 19, 2025