Two blue-chip stocks for your new buying

Article Excerpt

Loblaw and TC Energy are leading competitors in their respective markets. We see both stocks as buy. LOBLAW COMPANIES, $116.73, is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 316.9 million; Market cap: $36.8 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.5%; www.loblaw.ca) operates 1,104 supermarkets under several banners, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills. Its Shoppers Drug Mart operates 1,338 drugstores across Canada. Loblaw was able to boost profits in the latest quarter through successful cost-control measures. Consumers are also shifting to its discount-price chains and private-label brands. In the quarter ended June 17, 2023, overall sales rose 6.9%, to $13.7 billion from $12.8 billion a year earlier. Loblaw’s earnings in the quarter rose 10.6%, to $626 million from $566 million. Per-share earnings gained 14.8%, to $1.94 from $1.69, on fewer shares outstanding. The company now expects its 2023 earnings to rise to $7.61 a share. The stock trades at a reasonable 15.3 times that estimate and offers a 1.5% dividend yield. Loblaw…