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Metro Inc. (TSE:MRU)
TSX:MRU
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Metro Inc. (MRU) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:MRU

Metro Inc.

(TSX:MRU)

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Outperform 78 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:78Outperform
Price Target:
C$108.00
â–²(9.77% Upside)
Metro Inc. receives a strong overall score driven by robust financial performance and positive earnings call highlights. The company's consistent revenue growth and strategic expansions bolster its position in a competitive market. Technical indicators suggest a stable trend, while valuation metrics indicate moderate pricing. Challenges such as inflationary pressures and distribution center inefficiencies are noted but do not significantly detract from the overall positive outlook.
Positive Factors
Revenue Growth
Consistent revenue growth indicates strong market demand and effective sales strategies, enhancing Metro Inc.'s competitive position in the grocery industry.
Online Sales Expansion
The growth in online sales reflects Metro Inc.'s successful adaptation to digital retail trends, expanding customer reach and improving convenience.
EBITDA Improvement
Improved EBITDA suggests enhanced operational efficiency and profitability, supporting long-term financial health and investment capacity.
Negative Factors
Inflationary Pressures
Rising inflation can erode profit margins and increase operational costs, challenging Metro Inc.'s ability to maintain pricing competitiveness.
Distribution Center Challenges
Operational inefficiencies in distribution centers can hinder productivity gains, impacting supply chain effectiveness and cost management.
Competitive Market Pressures
Intensified competition may pressure market share and necessitate increased promotional spending, affecting Metro Inc.'s profitability.

Metro Inc. (MRU) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

Metro Inc. Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionMetro Inc. (MRU) is a leading Canadian food retailer, operating a network of supermarkets and grocery stores across Quebec and Ontario. The company operates under various banners, including Metro, Super C, and Food Basics, offering a wide range of products including fresh produce, meat, dairy, bakery items, and household goods. Metro Inc. is committed to providing high-quality products and customer service while focusing on sustainability and local sourcing.
How the Company Makes MoneyMetro Inc. generates revenue primarily through the sale of food and grocery products in its supermarkets and stores. The company's revenue model is based on a traditional retail framework, where it purchases products from suppliers at wholesale prices and sells them to consumers at retail prices, earning a margin on each sale. Key revenue streams include fresh food, packaged goods, and non-food items. Additionally, Metro Inc. benefits from private label products, which offer higher margins compared to branded products. The company also engages in promotional activities and loyalty programs to drive customer retention and increase sales. Significant partnerships with local suppliers and distributors enhance its product offerings and support its commitment to local sourcing, which helps attract customers and contribute to overall earnings.

Metro Inc. Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Nov 19, 2025
(Q4-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Feb 03, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a solid overall performance with notable sales growth, gross margin improvement, and strong pharmacy division results. However, mechanical issues at the Toronto distribution center pose a significant challenge, impacting financials and same-store sales. While operational recovery is underway, additional costs are expected in the upcoming quarter.
Q4-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Sales Growth
Total sales in Q4 reached $5.1 billion, an increase of 3.4% from the previous year. Food same-store sales grew by 1.6%, while pharmacy same-store sales increased by 4.8%.
Gross Margin Improvement
Gross margin for the quarter was $1.022 billion, accounting for 20% of sales, up from 19.7% in the previous year, driven by shrink improvement and productivity gains.
Adjusted Net Earnings Increase
Adjusted net earnings rose to $246 million from $227 million last year, marking an 8.6% increase, with adjusted EPS growing by 10.8% year-over-year.
Resumption of Toronto DC Operations
Operations at the Toronto distribution center resumed on November 10, with expectations to return to normal by the end of December.
Pharmacy Division Performance
Pharmacy sales were strong with prescription sales up by 5.5%, driven by specialty medications and clinical services.
Online Sales Growth
Online sales grew by 19.8% in the quarter, boosted by click-and-collect services and home delivery launches.
Store Expansion
Opened 14 new stores during fiscal '25, with a net increase of 294,000 square feet in retail space.
Negative Updates
Toronto Freezer Mechanical Issue
A mechanical issue with the Toronto freezer led to an after-tax financial impact of $22.5 million in Q4, with expected additional costs of $15-$20 million in Q1 of F'26.
Impact on Same-Store Sales
The freezer shutdown negatively impacted food same-store sales by approximately 30 basis points.
Increased Operating Expenses
Operating expenses increased by 4% year-over-year, partly due to $6.1 million in direct costs related to the freezer issue.
Company Guidance
During the Metro Inc. 2025 Fourth Quarter Results Conference Call, the company provided detailed guidance on financial metrics and operational impacts for the fourth quarter and the outlook for the first quarter of fiscal 2026. The revenue for Q4 reached $5.1 billion, marking a 3.4% increase compared to the previous year, driven by a 1.6% rise in food same-store sales and a 4.8% growth in pharmacy same-store sales. However, a mechanical issue in the Toronto frozen distribution center led to a $22.5 million after-tax financial impact, with $24.5 million attributed to inventory losses and $6.1 million to additional direct costs. Despite these challenges, the company achieved a gross margin of 20%, up from 19.7% the previous year. Adjusted EBITDA rose by 6.8% to $491 million, reflecting a 9.6% margin, while net earnings per share increased by 10.8% to $1.13. For Q1 of fiscal 2026, Metro Inc. anticipates direct costs related to the freezer issue to impact net earnings by $15 million to $20 million, but expects sales and margins to normalize by the end of December. The company also plans to invest approximately $550 million in capital expenditures for fiscal 2026, aiming for a net square footage increase of 1% to 1.4% in its food retail network.

Metro Inc. Financial Statement Overview

Summary
Metro Inc. demonstrates strong financial health with robust profitability and a stable balance sheet. The company shows consistent revenue growth and efficient equity utilization. While the slight decline in EBIT margin and free cash flow growth warrants attention, the overall financial position remains solid and competitive within the grocery industry.
Income Statement
85
Very Positive
Metro Inc. shows strong profitability with a gross profit margin of 18.94% and a net profit margin of 4.59% for TTM (Trailing-Twelve-Months). The company exhibits consistent revenue growth, with a 1.87% increase in the latest TTM period. However, there is a slight decline in EBIT margin from the previous year, indicating some pressure on operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
80
Positive
The balance sheet is robust with a debt-to-equity ratio of 0.63, suggesting a balanced leverage position. Return on equity stands at 14.04%, reflecting efficient use of shareholders' equity. The equity ratio of 49.65% indicates a stable financial structure, though slightly lower leverage could be beneficial.
Cash Flow
78
Positive
Metro Inc. maintains healthy cash flows, with a stable operating cash flow to net income ratio of 1.56 and a free cash flow to net income ratio of 1.03. There is a slight decrease in free cash flow growth of -7.09% in the TTM period, which could be an area of concern if it persists.
BreakdownTTMDec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021Dec 2020
Income Statement
Total Revenue21.84B21.22B20.72B18.89B18.28B18.00B
Gross Profit4.32B4.18B4.08B3.78B3.65B3.58B
EBITDA2.06B1.99B2.00B1.79B1.74B1.69B
Net Income1.02B928.80M1.01B846.10M823.00M795.20M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets14.29B14.14B13.87B13.40B13.59B13.42B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments75.60M29.40M29.50M13.40M445.80M441.50M
Total Debt4.40B4.31B4.32B4.12B4.56B4.70B
Total Liabilities7.14B7.10B7.05B6.78B7.18B7.27B
Stockholders Equity7.13B7.02B6.80B6.60B6.40B6.14B
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow1.14B1.06B867.60M847.80M969.90M919.60M
Operating Cash Flow1.57B1.56B1.46B1.37B1.49B1.38B
Investing Cash Flow-391.10M-471.50M-586.90M-492.70M-487.30M-460.00M
Financing Cash Flow-1.11B-1.09B-861.80M-1.31B-998.30M-754.80M

Metro Inc. Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Positive
Last Price98.39
Price Trends
50DMA
95.43
Positive
100DMA
97.70
Positive
200DMA
99.07
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
1.28
Positive
RSI
52.68
Neutral
STOCH
55.59
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:MRU, the sentiment is Positive. The current price of 98.39 is above the 20-day moving average (MA) of 98.23, above the 50-day MA of 95.43, and below the 200-day MA of 99.07, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 1.28 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 52.68 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 55.59 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Positive sentiment for TSE:MRU.

Metro Inc. Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
80
Outperform
$72.44B29.3221.51%1.52%4.21%14.03%
78
Outperform
C$20.12B20.2314.48%1.50%3.71%12.40%
72
Outperform
C$33.11B32.9526.36%1.20%4.15%149.50%
70
Outperform
C$11.24B16.3012.97%1.67%1.96%9.26%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
61
Neutral
C$2.19B15.8218.55%3.22%3.04%4.17%
61
Neutral
C$13.83B-95.78-1.32%1.99%5.37%-135.85%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:MRU
Metro Inc.
98.39
7.01
7.67%
TSE:L
Loblaw Companies
60.84
14.62
31.63%
TSE:EMP.A
Empire Co Cl A NV
50.20
7.67
18.03%
TSE:NWC
North West
49.94
-1.17
-2.29%
TSE:SAP
Saputo Inc.
39.50
13.11
49.68%
TSE:WN
George Weston
94.94
19.01
25.04%

Metro Inc. Corporate Events

Financial Disclosures
METRO Inc. to Announce Q4 2025 Financial Results
Neutral
Oct 21, 2025

METRO Inc. announced it will release its fourth quarter fiscal 2025 results on November 19, 2025, followed by a conference call for investors and financial analysts. This announcement is significant for stakeholders as it provides insights into the company’s financial performance and strategic direction, impacting its market positioning and investor confidence.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:MRU) stock is a Buy with a C$110.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Metro Inc. stock, see the TSE:MRU Stock Forecast page.

Dividends
METRO Inc. Declares Consistent Quarterly Dividend
Positive
Sep 29, 2025

METRO Inc. has announced a quarterly dividend of $0.37 per common share, consistent with the previous quarter’s dividend, payable on November 11, 2025, to shareholders recorded by October 23, 2025. This announcement reflects the company’s stable financial performance and commitment to returning value to its shareholders, reinforcing its strong position in the food and pharmacy industry.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:MRU) stock is a Hold with a C$111.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Metro Inc. stock, see the TSE:MRU Stock Forecast page.

Metro Inc. Earnings Call Highlights Growth Amid Challenges
Sep 1, 2025

Metro Inc. Reports Strong Earnings Amid Competitive and Inflationary Challenges

Business Operations and StrategyFinancial Disclosures
Metro Inc. Achieves Strong Q3 Growth with Strategic Expansions
Positive
Aug 13, 2025

Metro Inc. reported a strong performance in the third quarter of Fiscal 2025, with sales reaching $6,871.0 million, a 3.3% increase from the previous year. The company saw significant growth in both food and pharmacy same-store sales and successfully opened five new food stores, aligning with its strategy to expand its discount banners. This growth is attributed to effective cost control, productivity gains, and strategic investments in its retail network and supply chain, which are expected to drive long-term shareholder value.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:MRU) stock is a Hold with a C$86.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on Metro Inc. stock, see the TSE:MRU 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: Oct 25, 2025