Author: Chelsea Stiebing

Stonetrust Owner, Francis Chou, founder of Chou Associates Management Inc., recently received a prestigious Financial Services Award, recognizing him as part of the Top Canada Investment Firm 2022. The flagship Chou Associates Funds has maintained a long-running and consistent track record since its inception in 1986, earning recognition as one of Canada’s best-performing equity funds. This Financial Services Award highlights Francis Chou’s expertise in investment management, disciplined value-oriented strategy, and strong commitment to long-term results and consistent excellence.

Francis Chou’s investment approach focuses on analyzing company fundamentals, including balance sheets, cash flow, and profitability, rather than chasing short-term market trends. By identifying undervalued opportunities, he has built a portfolio that consistently outperforms competitors. The recognition by the Financial Services Review reflects not only the success of Chou Associates Funds but also the strong leadership, vision, and strategic insight that Francis Chou brings to Stonetrust.

At Stonetrust, this same commitment to excellence is evident in how we serve our policyholders and agency partners. Our approach to workers’ compensation insurance emphasizes responsive service, workplace safety, and cost containment. Just as Francis Chou evaluates investments with care and precision, we carefully underwrite policies to manage risk and provide comprehensive coverage for all our valued clients.

This Financial Services Award also underscores the broader philosophy of Stonetrust: combining experience, diligence, and a long-term perspective to create sustainable results. Agents partnering with Stonetrust benefit from our strong leadership, extensive resources, and a partner-focused approach that helps them grow their book of business while providing clients with reliable workers’ compensation solutions.

Learn more about Francis Chou’s investment strategy and his approach to leadership by reading the full article from Financial Services Review. This recognition reinforces our dedication to excellence, both in the financial industry and in the workers’ compensation market we proudly serve every day.

Stonetrust owner Francis Chou was recently featured in The Globe and Mail, sharing his insights on market trends and his investment strategy. Known for his award-winning approach to investing, Chou has built a reputation for navigating volatile financial markets with discipline and foresight.

In the interview, Chou discusses his views on bonds versus equities, explaining how investors can balance risk and return even during periods of economic uncertainty. He emphasizes the importance of holding a security’s intrinsic value and having a strong conviction during market fluctuations. “Every five to 10 years you will go through a period where stocks that are overvalued will still go up and become more overvalued, whereas stocks that are undervalued go down in price and become more undervalued,” he says.

Chou also highlights his recent investment successes, including taking advantage of undervalued opportunities during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, he invested in Athabasca Oil Corp. when prices were low and saw the fund quadruple its returns. In his equity-based RRSP fund, he invested in Resolute Forest Products Inc. at a significant discount, which later became highly profitable.

He notes that while many securities may have soared recently, their valuation often exceeded intrinsic worth. Chou prefers to focus on undervalued bonds and equities, patiently waiting for the right opportunity to invest, even if it means holding large cash positions until bargains appear. His strategy demonstrates the importance of discipline, patience, and avoiding the temptation to chase overvalued stocks.

For readers interested in learning more about Francis Chou’s investment strategy, the full article can be found in The Globe and Mail: How Lipper Award-Winning Money Manager Francis Chou Keeps His Edge.

At Stonetrust, Chou’s philosophy extends beyond his personal investments, influencing the company’s approach to insurance and risk management. Learn more about our services here: Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation and Contact Stonetrust.

Chou’s insights provide valuable lessons for both seasoned investors and those new to the market, demonstrating how a thoughtful and patient approach can lead to sustainable growth and long-term financial success. By following his guidance, investors can make smarter decisions that withstand market volatility.

Expanding Worker’s Compensation Coverage

Baton Rouge, LA – Stonetrust enters Iowa and Georgia, offering employers reliable workers’ compensation coverage starting October 1st, 2022. This expansion follows the company’s recent Financial Strength Rating (FSR) upgrade to A- Excellent by AM Best. With this move, Stonetrust continues to grow its “First Choice” brand, providing businesses in new states with trusted insurance solutions and strong support through agent partnerships.

“We are excited to begin writing coverage in Iowa and Georgia and look forward to growing our ‘First Choice’ brand in both states,” said Michael G. Dileo, CEO and President. “This is a natural step in our expansion strategy, and we believe our commitment to excellent service and strong agent relationships will make a positive impact for employers in these markets.”

Stonetrust enters Iowa and Georgia as part of its broader regional growth strategy, extending its reliable workers’ compensation and employers’ liability coverage to new businesses. The company has a strong presence throughout the Southeast and recently expanded into Alabama and Kansas in 2021. By entering these new states, Stonetrust aims to bring its reputation for reliability and service excellence to employers in construction, wholesale, retail, manufacturing, and service-related industries.

The company emphasizes building strong relationships with agent partners, ensuring that businesses receive personalized support and guidance throughout the insurance process. Stonetrust’s expansion is part of a broader growth strategy designed to serve more employers while maintaining high standards of service, competitive rates, and compliance with state regulations.

About Stonetrust
Founded in Nebraska, Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation Insurance Company offers coverage in twelve states, providing businesses with comprehensive workers’ compensation insurance solutions. The company continues to prioritize quality service, strong agent relationships, and coverage that meets the specific needs of employers in multiple industries.

For more information about establishing an agency partnership in Iowa or Georgia, contact:
Rachel Kight, Underwriting Production Manager
Phone: (225) 201-8073
Email: rachel.kight@stonetrustinsurance.com

For information about establishing an agency partnership with Stonetrust in Iowa or Georgia, please contact us.

We are very pleased to share with you our 2022 Annual Report, which showcases the many accomplishments the company achieved throughout 2021!

Stonetrust continues to perform exceptionally well, and we are looking forward to the opportunities created by our new A- rating. Our vision is to be the premier or “First Choice” workers’ compensation carrier for all our agents and policyholders. Although the current market environment remains extremely competitive, we have built a solid reputation as a financially strong company that is easy to work with and committed to outperforming our peers. Because of the talented team that we have assembled at Stonetrust and the support that we receive from all of you, our expectation is that we will achieve another strong result in 2022!

This year’s Annual Report also includes a tribute to long-time Stonetrust employee Glen Grigsby, who led the company’s marketing and underwriting efforts for many years. Glen contributed significantly to the formation, establishment, and growth of Stonetrust. His passion and legacy have endured, and his commitment to making Stonetrust the best workers’ compensation insurance company around continues to serve as the inspirational vision for the company’s future.

Stonetrust Workers’ Compensation President and CEO Michael G. Dileo announced today that the company is now writing workers’ compensation coverage in Kansas and Alabama effective January 1, 2022.

“I’m excited to announce that we’re now offering workers’ compensation coverage and services in Kansas and Alabama as part of our evolving plans for regional expansion,” said Dileo. “Our focus is to continue providing great service to our loyal agents, their policyholders and their injured employees. We are also currently working on plans to enter Iowa and Georgia by the end of 2022.”

Stonetrust is headquartered in Baton Rouge, Louisiana and is now operating in ten states including Louisiana, Texas, Oklahoma, Arkansas, Mississippi, Nebraska, Missouri, and Tennessee in addition to Kansas and Alabama.

Stonetrust specializes in statutory workers’ compensation insurance for employers large and small, with a concentration in healthcare, construction, wholesale, retail, manufacturing, and other service-related businesses.