Great-West Lifeco sees base earnings rise in third quarter to $950 million

Great-West Lifeco Inc. says its base earnings for the third quarter were $950 million, up from $809 million a year earlier.

The company attributed the increase primarily to business growth, as well as higher average equity markets and interest rates.

Great-West Lifeco says its net earnings attributable to common shareholders were $905 million in the third quarter, down from $987 million during the same quarter last year. 

Net earnings per diluted share were 97 cents, down from $1.06 a year earlier.