* Fairfax Financial Holdings Ltd. (
FFH-T +0.63%increase
) to $2,000 from $1,900. Average: $1,828.09.
Analyst: “We believe Fairfax’s current valuation does not fully reflect the company’s earnings potential and remains an attractive opportunity for investors. We believe the stock should garner a sustainable re-rate on the back of the organic expansion in its insurance operations, which likely enhances the company’s ROE and the growth rate potential of its book value, and potentially adds greater consistency to both metrics. The company is likely well positioned for the current rate environment and has locked in a much higher run-rate of operating investment income as a result of the rise in bond yields and its short-duration portfolio. Further, given its value investing approach, we think it has the potential to continue to generate outsized investment returns – even against a backdrop of more modest equity market returns. The company has demonstrated resilience through the business cycle and turbulent financial markets, but we view it as a less defensive play than more traditional publicly listed insurers. At this stage of the market cycle, this likely provides an attractive balance: downside protection thanks to the relative resilience of insurance operations through a potential recession, and upside potential when markets recover. We believe the company is overlooked or unloved by investors, and continues to trade well below its intrinsic value. We are bullish on the name and believe Fairfax is well positioned to successfully navigate the current environment and remains one of our top ideas for 2024. Fairfax’s valuation discount remains wide despite showing strong growth and enhanced ROE potential.
FROM TODAYS GLOBE AND MAIL