The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Feb. 20, edition that National Bank Financial analyst Gabriel Dechaine has reaffirmed his "outperform" recommendation for iA Financial. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Dechaine jacked his share target up by $8 to $141. Analysts on average target the shares at $141.13. iA Financial delivered "another exceptional quarter." He now expects it to reveal a higher return on equity target, likely falling in the 17- to 18-per-cent range, at its Investor Day event next Monday. On Tuesday iA Financial reported fourth quarter underlying earnings per share of $3.04, exceeding both Mr. Dechaine's estimate of $2.84 and the consensus forecast on the Street of $2.80. He attributes the beat to positive contributions from experience gains, investment income, lower strain and a lower tax rate. iA Financial's full-year core return on investment came in at 15.9 per cent, which is consistent with its current 15-per-cent-plus target, while quarterly annualized ROE topped that goal at 16.9 per cent. The Globe reported on Jan. 16 that Mr. Dechaine rated iA Financial "sector perform." The shares could then be had for $128.13.