BMO NB Preview of Life Insurance Co Q1 2006 Earnings

BMO Nesbitt Burns, 17 April 2006The life insurers kick off Q1/06 reporting next Thursday, April 27, 2006 with Sun Life, followed by the other three Canadian lifecos the week of May 1, 2006 (see scorecard at the end of this comment). Overall, we estimate EPS growth of 10-13%, with Manulife expected to generate the highest growth in Q1/06 and for all of 2006.On balance the macroeconomic conditions