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Empire Co Cl A NV (TSE:EMP.A)
TSX:EMP.A

Empire Co Cl A NV (EMP.A) AI Stock Analysis

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Empire Co Cl A NV

(TSX:EMP.A)

80Outperform
Empire Co.'s strong financial performance, highlighted by stable revenue growth and solid profitability, combined with positive earnings call sentiment, drive a high overall score. The stock's reasonable valuation and technical indicators suggest potential for continued stability and growth, although investors should monitor the debt levels and market conditions.
Positive Factors
Earnings Growth Potential
There is potential for further narrowing the valuation discount if EMP can demonstrate consistent 8-11% EPS growth.
Store Expansion
Management indicated new store openings will double, reflecting growth with more net new FreshCo sites in Western Canada.
Negative Factors
Market Valuation
EMP continues to trade at a wider-than-historical discount to Loblaw and MRU, despite recent improvements.

Empire Co Cl A NV (EMP.A) vs. S&P 500 (SPY)

Empire Co Cl A NV Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionEmpire Company Limited (EMP.A) is a prominent Canadian conglomerate primarily engaged in the food retailing sector through its wholly-owned subsidiary, Sobeys Inc. The company operates a diverse portfolio of grocery stores under various banners, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, and Thrifty Foods, among others. Empire also has real estate operations through its interest in Crombie REIT, a Canadian real estate investment trust.
How the Company Makes MoneyEmpire Company Limited generates revenue primarily through its food retail operations, which involve the sale of groceries, food products, and related consumer goods across its various supermarket brands. The company also earns income from its real estate investments, particularly through rental income and property management services associated with its holdings in Crombie REIT. Empire's revenue streams are bolstered by strategic partnerships and initiatives aimed at enhancing supply chain efficiencies, expanding its private-label product offerings, and leveraging digital platforms for e-commerce growth. These efforts are designed to optimize sales and profitability across its retail network.

Empire Co Cl A NV Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Empire Co. demonstrates stable revenue growth and solid profitability margins. The company shows strong cash flow generation with a robust free cash flow. However, the high debt-to-equity ratio suggests potential risk if interest rates rise, though current debt levels remain manageable.
Income Statement
82
Very Positive
Empire Co. has demonstrated stable revenue growth over the past years, with a TTM revenue increase of approximately 1.16% compared to the previous year. Gross profit and net profit margins are healthy at 26.56% and 2.16% respectively, indicating efficient cost management. However, the slight decrease in net income over the TTM period suggests room for improvement in profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also solid at 3.99% and 7.60%, respectively.
Balance Sheet
75
Positive
The company's balance sheet shows a stable equity position with a debt-to-equity ratio of 1.39, reflecting moderate leverage. The equity ratio is 32.05%, indicating a solid asset base supported by stockholder equity. Return on equity stands at 12.29%, showcasing decent profitability relative to equity. Despite a strong equity foundation, the relatively high debt level poses a potential risk if interest rates rise.
Cash Flow
88
Very Positive
Empire Co. has shown strong cash flow generation capabilities, with operating cash flow covering net income by a factor of 3.20. The free cash flow to net income ratio is also robust at 1.95, suggesting efficient conversion of income to cash. Free cash flow growth is steady, supporting the company's capital expenditures and financing activities without compromising liquidity.
Breakdown
TTMJun 2024Jun 2023Jun 2022Jun 2021Jun 2020
Income StatementTotal Revenue
30.82B30.73B30.48B30.16B28.27B26.59B
Gross Profit
8.18B8.07B7.79B7.66B7.20B6.63B
EBIT
1.23B1.31B1.23B1.36B1.30B1.11B
EBITDA
2.34B2.40B2.28B2.35B2.17B1.92B
Net Income Common Stockholders
664.30M725.20M686.00M745.80M701.50M583.50M
Balance SheetCash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments
367.00M259.60M221.30M812.30M890.50M1.01B
Total Assets
16.74B16.79B16.48B16.59B15.17B14.63B
Total Debt
1.12B7.36B7.27B7.46B7.13B6.94B
Net Debt
753.90M7.10B7.05B6.65B6.24B5.93B
Total Liabilities
11.43B11.32B11.15B11.46B10.68B10.62B
Stockholders Equity
5.16B5.34B5.20B4.99B4.37B3.92B
Cash FlowFree Cash Flow
1.29B1.28B847.60M1.33B1.20B1.47B
Operating Cash Flow
2.13B2.07B1.61B2.11B1.86B2.09B
Investing Cash Flow
-660.10M-608.50M-684.70M-891.40M-502.30M-376.30M
Financing Cash Flow
-1.42B-1.43B-1.51B-1.29B-1.48B-1.26B

Empire Co Cl A NV Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price44.45
Price Trends
50DMA
43.44
Positive
100DMA
42.63
Positive
200DMA
39.51
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
0.45
Positive
RSI
54.81
Neutral
STOCH
41.60
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:EMP.A, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 44.45 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 44.01, above the 50-day MA of 43.44, and above the 200-day MA of 39.51, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 0.45 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 54.81 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 41.60 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:EMP.A.

Empire Co Cl A NV Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (63)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
C$10.23B16.4612.33%1.80%0.31%-7.47%
TSMRU
80
Outperform
C$20.46B22.3013.78%1.44%1.59%-1.98%
TSL
78
Outperform
$56.19B26.4319.33%1.11%2.49%7.16%
TSATD
76
Outperform
C$65.98B18.9518.67%1.03%7.57%-12.56%
TSNWC
69
Neutral
C$2.21B16.8718.50%3.42%3.28%1.42%
63
Neutral
$20.77B13.59-10.67%7.41%1.48%9.07%
TSSAP
58
Neutral
C$10.46B42.30-2.28%3.03%9.20%-147.37%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:EMP.A
Empire Co Cl A NV
44.45
12.18
37.74%
TSE:L
Loblaw Companies
187.14
38.21
25.66%
TSE:MRU
Metro Inc.
93.36
20.45
28.05%
TSE:NWC
North West
46.76
9.56
25.70%
TSE:SAP
Saputo Inc.
24.95
-0.44
-1.73%
TSE:ATD
Alimentation Couche-Tard Inc
69.62
-12.16
-14.87%

Empire Co Cl A NV Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date: Dec 12, 2024 | % Change Since: 3.78% | Next Earnings Date: Mar 13, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call reflects a positive sentiment overall, with significant improvements in same-store sales, gross margins, and e-commerce expansion. Despite some pressure on SG&A rates and gradual normalization of consumer behavior, the outlook remains optimistic.
Highlights
Same-Store Sales Growth
Same-store sales grew by 1.8%, with improvements noted in both full-service and discount channels.
Improved Gross Margins
Gross margins improved by 48 basis points, driven by focus on stores, supply-chain efficiencies, and reduced shrink.
E-Commerce Expansion
E-commerce sales grew by 12%, with strong performance from Voila and new partnerships with Instacart and Uber Eats.
Adjusted EPS Growth
Adjusted EPS increased to CAD0.73, reflecting an 8.7% growth versus the prior year.
Positive Consumer Environment
Improving consumer sentiment with stabilized food inflation and declining interest rates, contributing to gradual business improvement.
Lowlights
SG&A Rate Increase
SG&A rate increased by 46 basis points, although it was an improvement compared to the prior quarter.
Continued Pressure on Consumer Behavior
Consumer behavior is normalizing gradually, but stretched customers have not fully returned to typical purchasing behaviors.
Company Guidance
During Empire's Second Quarter 2025 Conference Call, the company reported key financial metrics and operational updates. Same-store sales increased by 1.8%, reflecting improved consumer confidence driven by stabilizing food inflation and a 75 basis-point decline in interest rates. Gross margins improved by 48 basis points, supported by enhanced supply-chain efficiencies and reduced shrink. The adjusted earnings per share stood at CAD0.73, marking an 8.7% growth from the previous year. The e-commerce segment showed a 12% increase in sales, bolstered by strong performance from Voila and new partnerships with Instacart and Uber Eats. Despite a challenging economic environment, Empire's strategic initiatives, including investments in fresh offerings and supply-chain optimizations, contributed to a positive outlook for future growth.

Empire Co Cl A NV Corporate Events

Empire Co Reports Strong Q2 Results and Growth Plans
Dec 12, 2024

Empire Company Limited reported a solid performance in its fiscal 2025 second quarter, with an earnings per share of $0.73, slightly up from last year’s $0.72. The company saw a 1.8% increase in same-store sales, excluding fuel, and remains focused on enhancing its store network and digital capabilities. Empire aims to boost long-term earnings by investing in renovations, expanding e-commerce, and improving customer personalization.

Empire Co Reports Strong Q2 Results and Growth Plans
Dec 12, 2024

Empire Company Limited reported solid financial results for its fiscal 2025 second quarter, with earnings per share of $0.73, marginally higher than last year. The company’s strategic focus on enhancing its store network and digital capabilities continues to drive growth, as evidenced by a 1.8% increase in same-store sales. Empire aims to further boost earnings through customer-centric initiatives and capital investments in store renovations and digital expansion.

Glossary
OutperformA stock rated as "Outperform" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider this stock a good buying opportunity.
NeutralA stock rated as "Neutral" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly attractive nor unattractive for investment. Investors may consider holding onto the stock, as it is not expected to either significantly outperform or underperform the market.
UnderperformA stock rated as "Underperform" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests that the stock may deliver lower returns compared to the average returns of other stocks in the same sector or market index. Investors might consider selling the stock or avoiding it as an investment.

Disclaimer

This AI Analyst Stock Report is automatically generated by our AI systems using advanced algorithms and publicly available financial, technical, and market data. While the information provided aims to be accurate and insightful, it is intended for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial advice. Any content created by an AI (Artificial Intelligence) system may contain inaccuracies and/or contain errors. Investing in stocks carries inherent risks, and past performance is not indicative of future results. This report does not account for your personal financial circumstances, objectives, or risk tolerance. Always conduct your own research or consult with a qualified financial advisor before making investment decisions. The analysis and recommendations provided are based on historical and current data and may not fully reflect future market conditions or unexpected developments. Neither the creators of this report nor its affiliated entities guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information presented. Use this report at your own discretion and risk.