Loblaw is now a hold

Article Excerpt

LOBLAW COMPANIES $38.93 (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 278.4 million; Market cap: $10.8 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 2.2%; www.loblaw.ca) faces rising competition from non-food retailers, like Shoppers Drug Mart, that now sell groceries. As well, Wal-Mart plans to open 40 new Supercenters in Canada this year. The Supercenter format offers a full range of groceries. Rising food costs could also squeeze Loblaw’s profit margins. Loblaw is now a hold. hold…