Two Canadian leaders poised to move higher

Article Excerpt

Loblaw and Imperial Oil are leading competitors in their respective markets; look for that to cut your ongoing risk. We see both as attractive buys. LOBLAW COMPANIES, $187.43, is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 301.0 million; Market cap: $56.4 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 1.1%; www.loblaw.ca) operates 1,131 supermarkets under several banners, including Loblaws, Zehrs, Provigo, Real Canadian Superstore and No Frills. It also operates 1,361 Shoppers Drug Marts across Canada. In the quarter ended December 28, 2024, Loblaw’s sales rose 2.9%, to $14.95 billion from $14.53 billion. If you exclude one-time items, earnings in the latest quarter gained 6.2%, to $669 million from $630 million. Due to fewer shares outstanding, per-share earnings rose 10.0%, to $2.20 from $2.00. However, that missed the $2.21 consensus estimate. In 2025, Loblaw plans to open 80 new stores, including 50 discount outlets. It will also spend $2.2 billion to upgrade 300 of its existing stores and open 100 new medical care clinics inside its drugstores. Those…