When markets get rocky and financial headlines develop louder, sensible buyers usually flip to some of the dependable sectors on the TSX: insurance coverage. These Canadian shares don’t simply climate storms, they revenue from them. Insurance coverage suppliers earn regular premiums, make investments these funds for earnings, and pay claims in a predictable, calculated approach. That makes them nice long-term holdings, particularly whenever you’re working with a lump sum like $4,000 and need to plant it someplace stable.
Let’s take a more in-depth take a look at three Canadian shares that proceed to point out power: Solar Life Monetary (TSX:SLF), Manulife Monetary (TSX:MFC), and Intact Monetary (TSX:IFC). These names don’t at all times seize the headlines, however preserve delivering worth, and on this market, that’s price being attentive to.
SLF
Solar Life is among the oldest and most trusted monetary manufacturers in Canada. It does enterprise in asset administration, group advantages, and insurance coverage. However what makes Solar Life stand out is the way it blends insurance coverage stability with progress potential by means of its wealth and asset administration arms. Within the first quarter of 2025, Solar Life reported underlying web earnings of $1 billion. That’s up 19% year-over-year. Its world belongings below administration reached $1.6 trillion, a 6% enhance.
Solar Life additionally pays a stable dividend. As of writing, it raised its quarterly dividend to $0.88 per share, which represents a yield at 4%. That’s a pleasant little bit of passive earnings, particularly when mixed with the regular capital appreciation Solar Life has traditionally delivered. With sturdy outcomes throughout Asia, the U.S., and Canada, Solar Life is nicely diversified and set as much as experience out rate of interest modifications or financial slowdowns.
MFC
Then there’s Manulife Monetary, one other heavyweight within the insurance coverage world with a giant worldwide footprint. Manulife is thought for its massive presence in Asia, the place demand for insurance coverage merchandise is rising quickly on account of a rising center class and growing old populations. In its Q1 2025 outcomes, Manulife reported core earnings of $1.8 billion, up 3% from a 12 months earlier. What’s particularly notable is that $705 million of that got here from its Asia operations.
Manulife’s technique over the previous few years has been to lean into digital instruments and streamline the way it does enterprise. That’s helped preserve prices below management whereas growing its competitiveness throughout key markets. As of writing, Manulife trades round $44 per share and presents a dividend yield near 4.1%. That dividend has additionally grown steadily over time, exhibiting the Canadian inventory’s dedication to rewarding long-term shareholders.
IFC
If Solar Life and Manulife provide earnings with a worldwide flavour, Intact Monetary brings one thing a bit totally different. That’s market dominance in property and casualty insurance coverage proper right here at house. Intact is the most important supplier of house, auto, and enterprise insurance coverage in Canada, and it’s more and more increasing within the U.S. and Europe. What units Intact aside is its constant underwriting self-discipline. Meaning it grows fastidiously, solely taking up dangers it is aware of it might deal with profitably.
Within the first quarter of 2025, Intact posted $6.4 billion in income and web working earnings of $4.93 per share. That beat expectations and confirmed continued power in its underwriting efficiency. It additionally maintains a robust mixed ratio, conserving it beneath 95%, which indicators effectivity in managing claims and bills. Intact’s dividend yield is barely decrease at round 1.7%, however it has constantly grown that payout over the previous decade. And with the IFC share worth hovering close to $293, it stays a robust capital progress play.
Backside line
Dividing that capital between SLF, MFC, and IFC might provide a balanced, lower-risk portfolio anchored in stability, earnings, and long-term progress. You’d get worldwide publicity from Manulife, world asset administration by means of Solar Life, and homegrown reliability by way of Intact’s dominance in Canadian P&C insurance coverage. It’s a trifecta of reliable money move and regular efficiency.
Insurance coverage isn’t the flashiest sector, however it’s usually some of the rewarding for affected person buyers. These Canadian shares don’t want a booming financial system to succeed. They only want folks and companies that need to shield what they’ve, and that’s not going out of fashion anytime quickly. With constant earnings, dependable dividends, and room to develop, SLF, MFC, and IFC stand out as three high Canadian shares to purchase proper now with $4,000.
