-- RBC Capital Markets expects "resilient" first-quarter results from the property and casualty (P&C) insurance sector, but does not believes the results will be enough to change currently subdued investor sentiment on the sector.
Analyst Bart Dziarski raised his price target on Fairfax Financial (FFH.TO) to US$2,261.00 from US$2,234.00 primarily reflecting the Poseidon transaction, and maintained an outperform rating. He believes the current valuation does not reflect the positive momentum in Fairfax's underwriting operations and investment portfolio.
"We expect Fairfax's underwriting results to remain strong in a favourable (albeit slowing) pricing environment where Fairfax has a historical track record of opportunistic growth. Fairfax's investment portfolio has been re-positioned to take advantage of the current interest rate environment driving improving investment results which we expect to continue," he wrote. Dziarski expects the P/B valuation discount vs. peers to narrow as Fairfax continues to consistently deliver solid operating results.
As for the diversified financials sector, Dziarski remains cautious on goeasy (GSY.TO) and will look for updates on goeasy remediating issues within the LendCare portfolio, both regarding internal controls/financial reporting and charge-offs/loan losses. "We believe resolution of the foregoing is important for sentiment to improve."
He is maintaining an underperform rating and $33.00 price target on goeasy. Dziarski does not expect management's 3-point action plan to take hold until 2028+ and sees downside risk to valuation as investors reassess the durability of book value and the company's ability to stabilize credit performance.
Price: $2482.26, Change: $+25.42, Percent Change: +1.03%