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Loblaw Companies (TSE:L)
TSX:L
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Loblaw Companies (L) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:L

Loblaw Companies

(TSX:L)

Rating:79Outperform
Price Target:
C$261.00
â–²(15.21% Upside)
Loblaw Companies' strong financial performance and positive earnings call sentiment are the most significant factors driving the stock score. Technical analysis supports a bullish outlook, though valuation concerns slightly temper the overall score. The stock split announcement further enhances the positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Earnings Expectations
Analyst expects a quarter-over-quarter acceleration in food same-store sales due to higher food inflation and better tonnage.
Growth Opportunities
Optimism surrounds Loblaw's growth potential in expanded pharmacy services, freight-as-a-service, and retail media.
Store Performance
Recently opened small-format No Frills stores are performing well, indicating success in new store formats.
Negative Factors
Financial Challenges
Estimates are being trimmed due to balance sheet concerns, indicating potential financial challenges.
Operational Headwinds
Loblaw faces two material company-specific headwinds this year related to more new store launches and DC ramp.
Sales Concerns
There is concern about potential softness in sales for Loblaw's right-hand-side and/or centre-of-store at Shoppers.

Loblaw Companies (L) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Loblaw Companies Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionLoblaw Companies Limited is one of Canada's largest food retailers, operating a diverse portfolio of grocery and pharmacy businesses. The company manages various banners, including Loblaws, No Frills, Real Canadian Superstore, and Shoppers Drug Mart, among others. Loblaw focuses on providing a wide range of products, including fresh food, groceries, health and beauty items, and household goods. The company also emphasizes private label products under the President's Choice brand, catering to various consumer needs across multiple segments.
How the Company Makes MoneyLoblaw generates revenue primarily through the sale of food and pharmacy products across its extensive network of retail locations. The company operates a multi-channel revenue model, including brick-and-mortar stores and e-commerce platforms, which allows it to capture a broad customer base. Key revenue streams include the sale of grocery items, pharmacy prescriptions, and health and beauty products. Additionally, Loblaw benefits from its private label offerings, which typically have higher margins compared to national brands. The company also earns revenue from loyalty programs, such as PC Optimum, which drives customer engagement and repeat purchases. Strategic partnerships with suppliers and manufacturers further enhance its product offerings and pricing competitiveness, contributing to overall earnings.

Loblaw Companies Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Jul 24, 2025
(Q2-2025)
|
% Change Since: 4.15%|
Next Earnings Date:Nov 12, 2025
Earnings Call Sentiment Positive
The earnings call presented strong revenue, earnings growth, and successful store expansions with innovative technology integrations. However, challenges like supplier cost increases and inflationary pressures were noted. The overall sentiment is positive, with significant achievements outweighing the challenges.
Q2-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Strong Revenue and Earnings Growth
Consolidated revenue growth was 5.2%, reaching $14.5 billion, with adjusted EBITDA increasing by 7.4% to $1.8 billion. Adjusted diluted earnings per share grew by 11.6% to $2.40, and GAAP net earnings per share increased by 60%.
Expansion and Market Share Gains
Opened 20 out of 80 planned new stores for the year, contributing to a 5.8% increase in food retail sales and significant tonnage market share gains.
Innovative Technology Integration
Implemented AI-driven solutions in supply chain operations and introduced a new tool, Robin, to enhance store-level decision-making and efficiency.
PC Financial Performance
PC Financial revenue increased by 2.7%, and adjusted earnings before tax increased by 87.5% due to higher revenue and lower operating costs.
Successful International Expansion
The Seattle TNT store exceeded expectations, and more stores are planned for the U.S., with six confirmed locations.
Negative Updates
High Supplier Cost Increases
Higher-than-normal cost increase requests from global vendors, with only 1/3 being tariff-related, pose a challenge.
Inflationary Pressures
Q2 internal CPI-like food inflation was lower than Canada's grocery CPI of 3.3%, but maintaining low prices remains a concern.
Challenges in Electronics Category
The front store same-store sales growth of 1.7% at Shoppers Drug Mart was partially offset by the previous exit of certain items in the electronics category.
Tariff-Related Sales Decline
Sales volume on tariff-marked items declined by more than 15% in some weeks.
Company Guidance
During the Loblaw Companies Limited Second Quarter 2025 Results Call, the company reported a 5.2% increase in consolidated revenue, reaching $14.5 billion, and a 7.4% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $1.8 billion. Adjusted diluted earnings per share grew by 11.6% to $2.40, while GAAP net earnings per share saw a significant 60% increase, partly due to completed amortization related to the 2014 acquisition of Shoppers Drug Mart. Loblaw's food retail sector achieved a 5.8% increase in absolute sales, with same-store sales rising 3.5%. The company's internal food inflation rate remained below Canada's grocery CPI of 3.3%. Additionally, drug retail sales grew by 4.8%, with same-store sales up 4.1%. Online sales also showed robust growth, increasing by 17.5%. The company announced a 4-for-1 stock split effective August 18, 2025. Looking ahead, Loblaw anticipates continued growth driven by new store openings and strategic initiatives, despite ongoing uncertainties in the market.

Loblaw Companies Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Loblaw Companies demonstrates strong financial performance with consistent revenue growth, solid profitability, and efficient cash flow generation. The company maintains healthy margins and returns on equity, though moderate leverage requires careful management.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Loblaw Companies has demonstrated consistent revenue growth, with a TTM revenue growth rate of 1.18%. The company maintains strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 32.29% and a net profit margin of 3.96%. EBIT and EBITDA margins are also healthy at 6.97% and 11.63%, respectively, indicating efficient operations. The steady improvement in margins over the years reflects effective cost management and operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
78
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio stands at 1.77, indicating a moderate level of leverage. Return on equity is robust at 22.23%, showcasing effective utilization of shareholder funds to generate profits. The equity ratio is stable, reflecting a balanced capital structure. However, the increasing debt levels over the years could pose potential risks if not managed carefully.
Cash Flow
82
Very Positive
Loblaw Companies exhibits strong cash flow generation with a TTM free cash flow growth rate of 3.82%. The operating cash flow to net income ratio of 0.54 and free cash flow to net income ratio of 0.66 indicate solid cash conversion efficiency. The consistent growth in free cash flow over the years highlights the company's ability to generate cash to support operations and growth initiatives.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue62.29B61.01B59.53B56.50B53.17B52.71B
Gross Profit20.11B19.73B19.04B17.98B16.73B15.99B
EBITDA7.25B6.90B6.64B6.17B5.79B4.96B
Net Income2.47B2.17B2.10B1.92B1.88B1.11B
Balance Sheet
Total Assets40.45B40.88B38.98B38.15B36.61B35.87B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments1.90B2.11B1.95B1.93B2.44B1.94B
Total Debt19.52B19.18B18.17B17.61B16.55B16.61B
Total Liabilities29.25B29.61B27.36B26.69B24.88B24.75B
Stockholders Equity11.03B11.09B11.46B11.30B11.57B10.99B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow3.89B3.60B3.58B3.18B3.65B4.03B
Operating Cash Flow5.86B5.80B5.65B4.75B4.83B5.19B
Investing Cash Flow-2.04B-2.02B-1.84B-2.37B-1.27B-1.38B
Financing Cash Flow-4.15B-3.82B-3.93B-2.75B-3.25B-3.28B

Loblaw Companies Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price226.54
Price Trends
50DMA
223.55
Positive
100DMA
218.57
Positive
200DMA
200.90
Positive
Market Momentum
MACD
1.69
Negative
RSI
53.79
Neutral
STOCH
74.07
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:L, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 226.54 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 223.80, above the 50-day MA of 223.55, and above the 200-day MA of 200.90, indicating a bullish trend. The MACD of 1.69 indicates Negative momentum. The RSI at 53.79 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 74.07 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:L.

Loblaw Companies Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (53)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
C$13.05B19.1713.02%1.45%1.77%0.77%
79
Outperform
$67.50B27.8921.77%0.92%3.26%22.09%
70
Outperform
C$21.46B21.2814.60%1.43%2.26%12.56%
70
Outperform
C$13.43B42.30-2.20%2.29%7.58%-155.93%
67
Neutral
C$2.34B17.0018.85%3.28%4.19%2.56%
67
Neutral
C$33.97B33.7317.72%1.28%3.21%-12.20%
53
Neutral
C$5.40B6.7411.95%3.33%4.99%-1.01%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:L
Loblaw Companies
227.44
56.61
33.14%
TSE:MRU
Metro Inc.
98.39
15.77
19.09%
TSE:WN
George Weston
262.85
48.97
22.90%
TSE:EMP.A
Empire Co Cl A NV
56.39
19.44
52.61%
TSE:NWC
North West
48.71
4.57
10.35%
TSE:SAP
Saputo Inc.
33.24
4.33
14.98%

Loblaw Companies Corporate Events

Stock SplitBusiness Operations and Strategy
Loblaw Announces Four-for-One Stock Split to Enhance Accessibility
Positive
Jul 24, 2025

Loblaw Companies Limited announced a four-for-one stock split of its common shares, effective August 18, 2025, to enhance accessibility for retail investors and employees, and improve share liquidity. This strategic move is designed to maintain shareholder equity without incurring Canadian income tax liabilities, reflecting Loblaw’s commitment to its stakeholders and market positioning.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:L) stock is a Buy with a C$189.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Loblaw Companies stock, see the TSE:L Stock Forecast page.

Stock SplitBusiness Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Loblaw Reports Strong Q2 Revenue Growth and Announces Stock Split
Positive
Jul 24, 2025

Loblaw Companies reported a 5.2% revenue growth in the second quarter of 2025, driven by increased customer traffic, larger basket sizes, and higher unit sales. The company saw strong performance in both its food and drug retail segments, with notable growth in pharmacy and healthcare services. Loblaw’s expansion strategy includes opening new stores and pharmacy clinics across Canada, enhancing its market presence. Additionally, the company announced a 4-for-1 stock split to maintain share accessibility for retail investors and employees, reflecting confidence in its growth trajectory.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:L) stock is a Buy with a C$189.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Loblaw Companies stock, see the TSE:L Stock Forecast page.

Glossary
BuyA stock rated as a "Buy" is expected to perform better than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock is likely to deliver higher returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
HoldA stock rated as a "Hold" is expected to perform in line with the overall market or a specific benchmark. This rating indicates that the stock is neither particularly compelling nor unfavorable for investment. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.
SellA stock rated as a "Sell" is expected to perform worse than the overall market or a specific benchmark over the near-to-medium term. This rating suggests the stock may deliver lower returns compared to other stocks in the same sector or market index. Note: This is not investment advice; please consult a financial advisor before making investment decisions.

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.Date of analysis: Aug 11, 2025