Loblaw lets you tap healthier profits

Article Excerpt

LOBLAW COMPANIES LTD., $74, is a buy. The company (Toronto symbol L; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 369.1 million; Market cap: $27.3 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.6; Dividend yield: 1.7%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.loblaw.ca) is re-vamping its “No Name” packaged foods. The supermarket chain launched that private-label line in 1978. The company has reformulated over 500 of its No Name products to exclude synthetic colours, artificial sweeteners and hydrogenated oils. It identifies those products with a new “Simple Check” symbol on the distinctive yellow-and-black label. Those products will boost sales as increasingly health-conscious shoppers become more concerned about the ingredients in processed foods. Loblaw also earns higher profits from selling its own brands compared to national brands. Note: the stock is also attractive for your new buying at 17.6 times the 2019 earnings forecast of $4.21 a share. share. …