From SBI Life to Max Life, these insurance stocks can secure your portfolio

Better prospects due to faster financialisation of savings and fewer listed players augur well

Insurance was among key themes that played out last year, whether life or general. Yet, barring HDFC Standard Life, which more than doubled since its listing, not all stocks received the same investor interest. That phase is slowly changing and foreign brokerages, such as Nomura and Citi, feel life insurers could be a viable option in the financial sector. Analysts at Citi defend their premium valuations and say they are in line with the superior multiples enjoyed by private sector banks and non-banking finance companies. “Life insurance is a retail financial services product with significant under-penetration in India. With a