Intact Financial (IFC.TO)

In Q2 they showed progress in personal auto profit, and their OneBeacon acqusition. Their combined ratio beat guidance. He sees EPS growth. It's very cheap at 13x earnings. It hasn't come off as much as its peers. It's a beacon of safety, a steady Eddy. This is a late-cycle business play. (2.79% dividend yield, Analysts' price target: $112.46)

Insurance companies do better in a rising interest rate environment. It is one of the better stocks in terms of price momentum and it is stable. Valuation, though, is a little high for him at 19 times earnings. They are well within their payout ratio, however. There are no balance sheet concerns, but he can find better alternatives in the space, making it a hold. See his pas picks today for a better alternative.

14x earnings and has historically grown earnings at 12% compounded over the last decade. The market is hardening with price increases to feed margins. They recently acquired an American specialty operation that will be synergistic and will lead to more M&A in the U.S. Also, they outearn their peers wqith 12-14% ROE. They are serial acquirers and will continue this. Have 17% market share. Interest rates will be a further boost. Lots of runway ahead. Lots of good things happening here.

They missed the mark on Q1 on weaker auto and weather. They are modeling growing earnings at 20%. Trading at 11.9 times 2019. Fragmented space. (Analysts’ price target is $107.61)

He does not own it, but he is watching closely with the recent pullback. It is extremely well run, but operates on thin margins. He would wait until after the Ontario election, because insurance rates can be a political football. It has a good long term future. (Analysts’ price target is $108 )