National Bankshares Boosts Great-West Lifeco (TSE:GWO) Price Target to C$43.00

Great-West Lifeco (TSE:GWO) had its price target increased by National Bankshares from C$42.00 to C$43.00 in a research report released on Thursday, BayStreet.CA reports. They currently have a sector perform rating on the stock.

Several other equities analysts have also recently issued reports on the company. TD Securities dropped their price target on Great-West Lifeco from C$45.00 to C$44.00 in a research report on Thursday. Scotiabank boosted their target price on Great-West Lifeco from C$42.00 to C$44.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Tuesday, February 6th. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on Great-West Lifeco from C$42.00 to C$44.00 and gave the stock a market perform rating in a report on Thursday, January 25th. Finally, CIBC boosted their price objective on shares of Great-West Lifeco from C$44.00 to C$46.00 and gave the company a neutral rating in a research note on Friday, February 16th. Six analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and one has given a buy rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, Great-West Lifeco presently has an average rating of Hold and an average target price of C$44.00.

Great-West Lifeco Stock Performance

Shares of GWO opened at C$42.23 on Thursday. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is C$41.95 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$42.27. The firm has a market cap of C$39.38 billion, a PE ratio of 14.41, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.26 and a beta of 0.86. Great-West Lifeco has a 12-month low of C$37.06 and a 12-month high of C$45.18. The company has a current ratio of 12.42, a quick ratio of 22.18 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.33.

Great-West Lifeco (TSE:GWO) last issued its quarterly earnings data on Wednesday, February 14th. The company reported C$1.04 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.99 by C$0.05. The company had revenue of C$20.21 billion for the quarter. Great-West Lifeco had a net margin of 7.95% and a return on equity of 10.28%. As a group, equities analysts predict that Great-West Lifeco will post 4.137561 EPS for the current year.

Great-West Lifeco Dividend Announcement

The business also recently announced a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Friday, June 28th. Shareholders of record on Friday, May 31st will be given a dividend of $0.555 per share. The ex-dividend date of this dividend is Friday, May 31st. This represents a $2.22 annualized dividend and a dividend yield of 5.26%. Great-West Lifeco’s payout ratio is currently 75.77%.

Insider Transactions at Great-West Lifeco

In related news, Senior Officer Bradley John Fedorchuk sold 2,900 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction dated Monday, February 26th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$42.44, for a total value of C$123,062.08. In related news, Senior Officer Bradley John Fedorchuk sold 2,900 shares of Great-West Lifeco stock in a transaction on Monday, February 26th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$42.44, for a total transaction of C$123,062.08. Also, Senior Officer Dervla Mary Tomlin sold 5,400 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, February 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$42.33, for a total value of C$228,590.10. Insiders have sold a total of 13,300 shares of company stock valued at $566,402 in the last ninety days. 70.57% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Great-West Lifeco Company Profile

Great-West Lifeco Inc 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 life, accidental death and dismemberment, disability, critical illness, health and dental protection, and creditor insurance products; and retirement and wealth savings, income and annuity products, and other specialty products to individuals, families, businesses, and organizations.