Their high yields just sweeten investor value

Article Excerpt

North West Company and Leon’s operate at opposite ends of the retail spectrum—a plus for investors holding both. The first company has stores mostly in remote regions, and the second dominates in major urban areas across Canada. But both continue to prosper in their respective markets and, as an added bonus for investors, offer high dividend yields. With their rising sales and profits in today’s tough retail markets, plus their sound balance sheets, we see a clear benefit for investors with both of these stocks. LEON’S FURNITURE $16.30, is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbol LNF; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (416-243-7880; www.leons.ca; Shares o/s: 77.2 million; Market cap: $1.3 billion; Dividend yield: 3.4%) has steadily increased value for investors by raising the number of stores under its Leon’s banner from 27 in 2003 to today’s 86. In 2013, the company nearly quadrupled with its $700 million purchase of rival The Brick. That chain now has 218 locations across Canada and still operates separately. In the quarter ended September 30, 2019,…