These two grocers just keep getting stronger

Article Excerpt

Loblaw and Metro have successfully weathered the pandemic so far and, in fact, both stocks are trading at all-time highs for our subscribers! Meanwhile, many of their customers who opted for home delivery (or in-store pickup) during pandemic lockdowns are sticking with that value-added service. At the same time, both have improved their loyalty programs—and that should continue to drive additional spending per visit, both in-store and online. LOBLAW COMPANIES, $112.67, is a buy. Through your shares (Toronto symbol L; Shares o/s: 332.9 million; Market cap: $38.0 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Divd. yield: 1.3%; www.loblaw.ca), you tap 1,095 food stores and 1,342 Shoppers Drug Mart outlets in Canada. With COVID-19 lockdowns easing and restaurants reopening, Loblaw’s sales are reverting to pre-pandemic levels. In the quarter ended March 26, 2022, sales rose 3.3% in the quarter, to $12.26 billion from $11.87 billion a year earlier. Per-share earnings in the latest quarter gained 20.4%, to $1.36 from $1.12. Loblaw will raise its quarterly dividend by 11.0% with the July…