Usually, the return that puts alarm bells. But I think it is sustainable. If I do not, I will not buy stocks several times in 2023.

What gives me confidence is the date of payment. Over the past fifteen years, Legal & General has increased its profits every year but one. The exception was 2020, during the roaming epidemic. I will forgive that. The government was twisting weapons at that time. The payments resumed next year.

For 15 years, Legal & General profits have grown at a compound rate of 12.12 % per year. This is impressive but one thing worries me. The growth rate decreased to 6.62 % over a period of 10 years and only 3.98 % over five.

The direction of profits

Accurate inspection shows that batches have increased by 5 % in the past four years, but there is an upcoming change. Between 2025 and 2027, the council is only planned to increase it by 2 % per year.

I defended this decision before. With such generous return, the growth rate does not seem less like a large deal. But besides a wider slowdown in the growth of profits, I no longer spread it easily.

This is important, because legal and public shares have done badly. It increased by only 3.4 % over one year and less than 3 % over five. At the same time, a big competitor FTSE 100 Aviva (LSE: AV.) Vergings and 120 %, respectively. This is a comparison of bruises.

Aviva’s profit growth is also a clear winner. Over the past five years, Aviva has grown its payments at an annual rate of 18.4 %. It even paid profits in 2020, which now looks like an honor badge.

Anxiety growth

Obviously, I support the slower horse, and the latest AVIVA trading update has expanded the gap only. On May 15, the insurance company was human “Wonderful start” To 2025, with almost 10 % insurance premiums. CEO, Amanda Blanc, seemed optimistic, saying that the group had a strong public budget and a clear strategy, and was reaching goals through the areas of growth.

Aviva now aims to 2 billion pounds in operational profits by 2026, and cash transfers in excess of 5.8 billion pounds by that time.

To be fair, Legal & General is not sleeping on the steering wheel. In March, I bought “strong” 2024 Performance and unveiled the re -purchase of 500 million pounds. This is part of the capital return plan wider 5 billion pounds over three years, or nearly 40 % of its market value.

Sitting tight

I will not switch horses. It always seems that the moment I am changing the waiting lists – at the airport, at the bank, wherever I – I left begin to move faster. This will definitely happen if you jump to Aviva now.

Also, the best idea of ​​buying arrears that can bounce, instead of chasing the winners after they have already been transferred. Now here is the comma. Legal and general still pay me wonderfully. I received 305 pounds from profits on Thursday and immediately re -invest.

Aviva provides 5.75 % solid return. Investors may think about buying more growth capabilities. But for me, the Legal & General shareholders are very exciting. I have always had sweet teeth.