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North West Company (TSE:NWC)
TSX:NWC

North West (NWC) AI Stock Analysis

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TSE:NWC

North West

(TSX:NWC)

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Neutral 69 (OpenAI - 4o)
Rating:69Neutral
Price Target:
C$53.00
â–²(10.19% Upside)
North West's overall stock score reflects stable financial performance and reasonable valuation, with some concerns about profitability and cash flow management. The earnings call highlighted operational improvements but also significant sales challenges. Technical analysis suggests a neutral trend, balancing the overall outlook.
Positive Factors
Operational Efficiency
The Next 100 program's focus on operational excellence and cost efficiencies can enhance long-term profitability and competitive positioning.
Revenue Stability
Diversified revenue streams and long-term contracts with key clients provide stable cash flow, supporting financial resilience and growth.
Gross Profit Margin
A strong gross profit margin reflects effective cost management, which can sustain profitability and support reinvestment in growth initiatives.
Negative Factors
Sales Decline
Declining sales, particularly in same-store metrics, pose a risk to revenue growth and market share, potentially impacting long-term financial performance.
Negative Free Cash Flow Growth
Negative free cash flow growth limits the company's ability to fund new projects and expansions, potentially hindering long-term strategic initiatives.
Funding Reductions Impact
Funding reductions in key markets can lead to sustained revenue pressure, affecting the company's ability to maintain growth and profitability.

North West (NWC) vs. iShares MSCI Canada ETF (EWC)

North West Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company DescriptionThe North West Company Inc., through its subsidiaries, engages in the retail of food and everyday products and services to rural communities and urban neighborhood markets in northern Canada, rural Alaska, the South Pacific, and the Caribbean. The company's Canadian operations comprise 118 Northern stores, which offers food, financial services, and general merchandise; 5 NorthMart stores that provides fresh foods, apparel, and health products and services; 26 Quickstop convenience stores that provides ready-to-eat foods, and fuel and related services; 5 Giant Tiger junior discount stores, which offers family fashion, household products, and food; 2 Valu Lots discount center and direct-to-customer food distribution outlet; 1 solo market, a store in remote market; 3 Pharmacy and Convenience stores; and 1 North West Company motorsports dealership offering sales, service, parts and accessories for Ski-doo, Honda, Can-am and other premier brands. The Canadian operations also provides contract tele-pharmacist services to rural hospitals and health centers; water and air-based transportation services; and produce and fresh meats to independent grocery stores. Its international operations include 30 Alaska Commercial Company stores that provides food and general merchandise to remote and rural regions; 12 Cost-U-Less mid-size warehouse stores, which offers discount food and general merchandise; 4 Quickstop convenience stores; 9 Riteway food markets; and Pacific Alaska wholesale, a distributor to independent grocery stores, commercial accounts, and individual households in rural Alaska. The North West Company Inc. was founded in 1668 and is headquartered in Winnipeg, Canada.
How the Company Makes MoneyNWC generates revenue through its extensive network of retail stores, which serve as the primary sales channel for its diverse product offerings. The company earns money by selling groceries, general merchandise, and essential services to customers in remote locations where access to such goods and services is limited. Key revenue streams include the sale of food products, household items, and health-related products, along with financial services like check cashing and money transfers. Strategic partnerships with suppliers and efficient supply chain management contribute to cost-effectiveness and competitive pricing, enhancing profitability. NWC's presence in niche markets with little competition further solidifies its revenue generation capabilities.

North West Earnings Call Summary

Earnings Call Date:Dec 09, 2025
(Q3-2025)
|
% Change Since: |
Next Earnings Date:Apr 15, 2026
Earnings Call Sentiment Neutral
The earnings call reflects a mixed sentiment with strong net earnings growth and operational improvements countered by significant sales challenges and funding-related headwinds.
Q3-2025 Updates
Positive Updates
Net Earnings Increase
Despite a challenging quarter, net earnings increased by 12.9% compared to last year, driven by improved gross profit rates and lower expenses.
Gross Profit Growth
Gross profit increased by 1.4% for the quarter with the gross profit rate up 64 basis points compared to the third quarter last year.
Operational Excellence via Next 100 Program
The Next 100 program has contributed to operational improvements, including merchandise assortment refinement and private label expansion, resulting in cost efficiencies.
Lower Expenses
Expenses decreased by 1% for the quarter, largely due to reduced share-based compensation costs and decreased vessel repair costs.
Negative Updates
Sales Decline
Overall sales in the quarter decreased by 0.5% compared to last year, with consolidated same-store sales down 1.7%.
Canadian Sales Drop
Sales in Canadian operations decreased by 2%, with same-store sales down 2.8% due to reduced funding and consumer spending shifts.
International Sales Challenges
International operations saw a decrease in general merchandise sales by 9.9%, offsetting a modest 1% increase in food sales.
Funding Reductions Impact
Reductions in Child and Family services funding in Canada and lower permanent fund dividends in Alaska impacted sales negatively.
Challenges in Supply Chain Optimization
The implementation of new supply chain systems faced disruptions, affecting product availability and sales.
Company Guidance
During The North West Company Inc.'s third quarter results conference call, several key metrics and factors were discussed regarding the company's performance and outlook. The company experienced a 0.5% decrease in sales compared to the previous year, largely due to reduced Child and Family services funding in Canada and a lower permanent fund dividend in Alaska. Despite these challenges, net earnings increased by 12.9%, driven by an improved gross profit rate up by 64 basis points and a 1% reduction in expenses. Same-store sales in Canada declined by 2.8%, with a notable 11.1% decrease in general merchandise sales. Conversely, international operations saw a 1% increase in same-store food sales, offsetting a 9.9% drop in general merchandise sales. The company's gross profit grew by 1.4%, attributed to the Next 100 work, such as merchandise assortment refinement and private label expansion. Looking ahead, the company anticipates continued impacts from funding reductions but expects some offset from Child and Care settlement payments, which began distribution at the end of Q3. The Next 100 program remains a focus, with significant progress in operational excellence and cost efficiencies anticipated to continue delivering value.

North West Financial Statement Overview

Summary
North West demonstrates a stable financial position with consistent revenue growth and solid operational efficiency. The balance sheet reflects a moderate leverage level, while cash flow generation is strong but shows potential constraints in free cash flow. The company is well-positioned in the grocery industry, but there is room for improvement in profitability and cash flow management.
Income Statement
75
Positive
North West shows a stable financial performance with a consistent revenue growth rate of 1.9% TTM. The gross profit margin is healthy at 33.95%, indicating efficient cost management. However, the net profit margin is relatively low at 5.32%, suggesting room for improvement in profitability. EBIT and EBITDA margins are stable, reflecting solid operational efficiency.
Balance Sheet
70
Positive
The company's debt-to-equity ratio of 0.57 indicates a moderate level of leverage, which is manageable. The return on equity is strong at 18.19%, showing effective use of shareholder funds. However, the equity ratio of 49.93% suggests a balanced but slightly leveraged capital structure.
Cash Flow
65
Positive
Operating cash flow remains strong, with a coverage ratio of 0.94, indicating good cash generation relative to net income. However, free cash flow growth is negative at -85.9% TTM, which could be a concern for future investments. The free cash flow to net income ratio is moderate at 44.04%, suggesting some constraints in cash available for expansion.
BreakdownTTMDec 2025Dec 2024Dec 2023Dec 2022Dec 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue2.60B2.58B2.47B2.35B2.25B2.36B
Gross Profit882.85M868.32M809.42M747.91M737.75M774.55M
EBITDA329.27M325.61M301.93M279.69M312.48M302.13M
Net Income138.40M137.30M129.39M122.19M154.80M139.87M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets1.55B1.53B1.40B1.34B1.22B1.19B
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments68.51M67.39M53.36M58.81M49.43M71.54M
Total Debt438.42M422.18M405.47M402.53M349.71M402.04M
Total Liabilities756.84M732.79M690.24M688.99M639.07M685.94M
Stockholders Equity775.96M772.01M684.69M629.22M563.63M491.30M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow116.82M114.27M107.02M65.73M130.06M263.47M
Operating Cash Flow265.28M260.63M230.43M182.84M224.13M338.72M
Investing Cash Flow-147.22M-131.00M-107.70M-106.80M-75.86M-66.90M
Financing Cash Flow-136.47M-119.05M-128.27M-68.30M-170.20M-227.06M

North West Technical Analysis

Technical Analysis Sentiment
Negative
Last Price48.10
Price Trends
50DMA
47.31
Positive
100DMA
47.93
Positive
200DMA
49.13
Negative
Market Momentum
MACD
0.24
Positive
RSI
48.75
Neutral
STOCH
50.63
Neutral
Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For TSE:NWC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 48.1 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 48.73, above the 50-day MA of 47.31, and below the 200-day MA of 49.13, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of 0.24 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 48.75 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 50.63 is Neutral, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for TSE:NWC.

North West Peers Comparison

Overall Rating
UnderperformOutperform
Sector (62)
Financial Indicators
Name
Overall Rating
Market Cap
P/E Ratio
ROE
Dividend Yield
Revenue Growth
EPS Growth
78
Outperform
C$21.17B21.3114.48%1.49%3.71%12.40%
78
Outperform
C$72.30B29.5621.51%1.53%4.21%14.03%
70
Outperform
C$36.20B24.7626.36%1.23%4.15%149.50%
69
Neutral
C$2.30B16.0818.69%3.35%2.08%9.31%
69
Neutral
C$10.57B15.5712.66%1.82%2.58%7.85%
62
Neutral
$20.33B14.63-3.31%3.23%1.93%-12.26%
54
Neutral
C$1.53B76.992.49%2.62%6.58%9.33%
* Consumer Defensive Sector Average
Performance Comparison
Ticker
Company Name
Price
Change
% Change
TSE:NWC
North West
48.10
1.38
2.95%
TSE:L
Loblaw Companies
61.21
12.87
26.63%
TSE:EMP.A
Empire Co Cl A NV
46.05
2.28
5.21%
TSE:MRU
Metro Inc.
99.02
7.27
7.92%
TSE:SPB
Superior Plus
6.86
0.79
13.01%
TSE:WN
George Weston
94.68
17.58
22.80%

North West Corporate Events

Business Operations and StrategyDividendsFinancial Disclosures
North West Company Reports Resilient Q2 Earnings Amid Challenges
Positive
Sep 8, 2025

North West Company Inc. reported a slight increase in second-quarter sales to $647.0 million, despite challenges such as wildfires in northern Canada and reduced funding from Jordan’s Principle. The company announced a 2.5% increase in its quarterly dividend to $0.41 per share. The company’s Next 100 strategy, focusing on merchandise refinement and operational efficiency, helped mitigate these challenges, demonstrating resilience in a softer economy. Earnings from operations increased by 0.5%, and the company remains committed to driving sustainable value for its stakeholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:NWC) stock is a Buy with a C$60.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on North West stock, see the TSE:NWC Stock Forecast page.

Business Operations and StrategyExecutive/Board Changes
North West Company Appoints Aviation Expert Gregg Saretsky to Board
Positive
Aug 1, 2025

North West Company Inc. has appointed Gregg Saretsky, a veteran in the aviation industry, as a director. Saretsky’s extensive experience, including leadership roles at WestJet Airlines and board positions at InterGlobe Aviation and Southwest Airlines, is expected to enhance North West’s strategic direction, particularly in developing its subsidiary, North Star Air.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:NWC) stock is a Buy with a C$60.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on North West stock, see the TSE:NWC Stock Forecast page.

Executive/Board ChangesShareholder Meetings
North West Company Announces Successful Election of Directors
Positive
Jun 13, 2025

The North West Company Inc. announced that its shareholders voted in favor of all items at the annual general meeting, including the election of all nominee directors. This decision reflects strong shareholder support and ensures continuity in the company’s leadership, potentially reinforcing its market position and strategic direction.

The most recent analyst rating on (TSE:NWC) stock is a Buy with a C$58.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on North West stock, see the TSE:NWC 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: Dec 12, 2025