Assassination of UnitedHealthcare CEO Could Boost Bombardier Sales, Desjardins Says

The assassination of UnitedHealthcare’s CEO last week “is a tragic reminder of the growing importance of executive protection” and could help Bombardier sell more business jets, according to Desjardins.

• Also read: United States: CEO of insurance giant murdered after receiving threats

• Also read: The Caisse holds more than $845 million in the insurance company of the boss killed by gunfire

“The high-profile nature of the UnitedHealthcare incident could encourage companies to consider more closely the possibility of stealing their managers,” said Desjardins analysts Benoit Poirier and Michael Kypreos.

Last week, the killing of 50-year-old Brian Thompson, shot in the chest, dismayed New Yorkers and the business community.

The boss of UnitedHealthcare, one of the subsidiaries of the largest private health insurer in the United States, was shot dead in cold blood on the street on his way to a hotel.

After the assassination, the Caisse de dépôt, which owns more than $845 million in shares in the parent company of UnitedHealthcare, offered its condolences to the family.

«Best placed»

In a note published Tuesday, Desjardins emphasizes that Bombardier is best positioned to sell its jets to business customers concerned about safety.

“We believe that Bombardier is best placed […] to benefit from the trends that continue to push business jet users towards the fractional fleet operator/private travel operator side,” she emphasizes.

Even if analysts recognize that there is a phenomenon of “climate shame” linked to the private flights of the Taylor Swifts and Elon Musk of this world, they believe that the death of the leader of UnitedHealthcare could push more CEOs to opt for private flights to get around.

– With the collaboration of Sylvain Larocque