These retailers have an online advantage

Article Excerpt

The COVID-19-induced surge in online shopping volumes has slowed with the re-opening of physical stores. That has helped lift the shares of these three retailers. Even so, each of them continues to trade at an attractive multiple to its earnings, and will probably keep raising its dividend. Investments in their popular e-commerce platforms will also help them continue to attract customers who prefer to shop online. CANADIAN TIRE CORP. (class A non-voting) is a buy. The retailer (Toronto symbols CTC $327 and CTC.A $179; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 60.8 million; Market cap: $11.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.1; Dividend yield: 3.9%; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; www.canadiantire.ca) operates 504 Canadian Tire stores. They sell automotive parts and services, and household and sporting goods; franchisees run most of the locations. The company’s other operations also enrich its outlook. They include 161 stores operating under the PartSource (auto parts) and Party City (party supplies) banners. Canadian Tire has several other retail chains: Mark’s sells casual and work clothing through 380…