About Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO)
Great-West Lifeco Inc. is a Insurance - Life company operating in the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada. GWO has been publicly traded since 2002, giving it 24+ years of trading history.
Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) has been publicly traded since 2002, making it a 24-year-old public company. It operates in the Insurance - Life industry within the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada and employs approximately 33,430 people. With a market capitalization of C$57 billion, GWO is a large established company.
GWO trades on the Toronto Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately C$57 billion. The company employs approximately 33,430 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- C$63.26
- Market Cap
- C$57.39B
- 52-Week High
- C$68.56
- 52-Week Low
- C$49.54
- Sector
- Financial Services
- Industry
- Insurance - Life
GWO Investment Performance
GWO has declined 5.6% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a C$1,000 investment in GWO would have grown to C$2,435, representing a 143.4% total return. Since its IPO in 2002, a C$1,000 investment would now be worth C$9,548.
C$1,000 Invested in Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO)
How much would C$1,000 invested in GWO be worth today?
What would C$1,000 invested in GWO 1 year ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) in 2025 would be worth C$1,171 as of March 2026, representing a +17.1% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in GWO 3 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) in 2023 would be worth C$2,038 as of March 2026, representing a +103.8% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in GWO 5 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) in 2021 would be worth C$2,435 as of March 2026, representing a +143.4% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in GWO 10 years ago be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) in 2016 would be worth C$2,930 as of March 2026, representing a +193.1% total return.
What would C$1,000 invested in GWO at IPO be worth today?
A C$1,000 investment in Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) at IPO would be worth C$9,548 as of March 2026, representing a +854.8% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 23+ years (284 months), Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) has averaged a monthly return of +0.95% with a median return of +1.13%. The stock had 170 positive months (60%) and 114 negative months (40%). The best month in GWO's history was April 2009 with a +15.7% return, while the worst was December 2008 at -25.3%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.9%), and May the weakest (-1.8%).
GWO's longest winning streak was 9 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2025 with a cumulative return of +41.6%, and the worst was 2008 at -42.7%.
Annual Returns
Over 24 years of trading history, Great-West Lifeco Inc. (GWO) has delivered an average annual return of +12.01% with a median return of +10.98%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +9.82%. The stock posted gains in 18 years (75%) and losses in 6 years (25%).
GWO's best year was 2025 with a +48.38% gain, while the worst was 2008 at -39.47%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 6, and the longest losing streak was 1 years. GWO achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 12 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 4 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -5.58% | C$67.00 | C$63.26 |
| 2025 | +48.38% | C$45.15 | C$67.00 |
| 2024 | +14.28% | C$39.51 | C$45.15 |
| 2023 | +47.70% | C$26.75 | C$39.51 |
| 2022 | -12.58% | C$30.60 | C$26.75 |
| 2021 | +31.45% | C$23.28 | C$30.60 |
| 2020 | -2.64% | C$23.91 | C$23.28 |
| 2019 | +24.53% | C$19.20 | C$23.91 |
| 2018 | -15.76% | C$22.79 | C$19.20 |
| 2017 | +4.08% | C$21.90 | C$22.79 |
| 2016 | +6.04% | C$20.65 | C$21.90 |
| 2015 | +6.64% | C$19.37 | C$20.65 |
| 2014 | +6.64% | C$18.16 | C$19.37 |
| 2013 | +40.18% | C$12.96 | C$18.16 |
| 2012 | +26.08% | C$10.28 | C$12.96 |
| 2011 | -18.54% | C$12.61 | C$10.28 |
| 2010 | +3.02% | C$12.24 | C$12.61 |
| 2009 | +37.32% | C$8.92 | C$12.24 |
| 2008 | -39.47% | C$14.73 | C$8.92 |
| 2007 | +8.41% | C$13.59 | C$14.73 |
| 2006 | +13.56% | C$11.97 | C$13.59 |
| 2005 | +18.24% | C$10.12 | C$11.97 |
| 2004 | +20.62% | C$8.39 | C$10.12 |
| 2003 | +25.64% | C$6.68 | C$8.39 |
GWO Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Great-West Lifeco Inc. as an investment
Valuation
GWO currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 14.8, which is considered low relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 10.7 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 2.1. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.6.
Dividends
Great-West Lifeco Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.95%. This translates to C$2.50 per share annually. The payout ratio of 57% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
GWO has a beta of 0.68, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is C$49.54 to C$68.56, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 12 analyst opinions, GWO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of C$68.33 suggests 8.0% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: GWO
What sector is GWO in? ▼
GWO operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically in the Insurance - Life industry. This sector includes banks, insurance companies, asset managers, and fintech companies.
How has GWO performed historically? ▼
Over 24 years of trading history, GWO has posted gains in 18 years (75% of the time). The best year was 2025 with a +48.4% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in GWO? ▼
You can invest in GWO through any brokerage account that offers access to the Toronto Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold GWO.
Does GWO pay dividends? ▼
Great-West Lifeco Inc. pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.95%. This translates to C$2.50 per share annually. The payout ratio of 57% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Great-West Lifeco Inc. do? ▼
Great-West Lifeco Inc. is a Insurance - Life company operating in the Financial Services sector. The company is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada.
What sector is GWO in? ▼
GWO operates in the Financial Services sector, specifically in the Insurance - Life industry.
When did GWO go public? ▼
Great-West Lifeco Inc. went public in 2002, making it a 24-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would C$1,000 invested in GWO 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in GWO five years ago would be worth approximately C$2,435 today, representing a 143.4% return.
How much would C$1,000 invested in GWO 10 years ago be worth today? ▼
A C$1,000 investment in GWO ten years ago would be worth approximately C$2,930 today, representing a 193.1% total return over the decade.
What is GWO's 3-year return? ▼
Over the past 3 years, GWO has returned 103.8%. A C$1,000 investment would have grown to C$2,038.
How much would C$1,000 invested in GWO at IPO be worth today? ▼
If you invested C$1,000 in GWO at its IPO in 2002, it would be worth approximately C$9,548 today, a 854.8% return over 24 years.
Does GWO pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Great-West Lifeco Inc. pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.95%, which is C$2.5 per share annually.
What is GWO's market cap? ▼
Great-West Lifeco Inc. has a market capitalization of C$57 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is GWO's P/E ratio? ▼
GWO has a trailing P/E ratio of 14.8 and a forward P/E of 10.7, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is GWO a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 12 opinions, GWO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is C$68.33.
Last updated: 3/15/2026