LEON’S FURNITURE LTD. $13.30 - Toronto symbol LNF

LEON’S FURNITURE LTD. $13.30 (Toronto symbol LNF; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (416-243- 7880; www.leons.ca; Shares outstanding: 70.6 million; Market cap: $930.0 million; Dividend yield: 3.0%) reports that its sales jumped to $480.6 million in the three months ended June 30, 2013, from $162.1 million a year earlier. Earnings rose 60.4%, to $14.4 million, or $0.20 a share, from $9.0 million, or $0.13.

The latest three months was the first full quarter in which the furniture chain owned former rival The Brick. Its $700-million purchase of The Brick closed on March 28, 2013.

The Brick operates 234 stores across Canada, while Leon’s has 76 outlets in every province except B.C. Leon’s and The Brick will continue to operate as separate chains.

Leon’s long-term debt of $452.6 million is a somewhat high 49% of its market cap. The shares yield 3.0%.

Growth by acquisition can be risky, especially with a deal this big. Leon’s will now need to successfully integrate The Brick and pay down its debt. However, the purchase looks like a great fit with Leon’s.

Leon’s is still a buy.

A professional investment analyst for more than 30 years, Pat has developed a stock-selection technique that has proven reliable in both bull and bear markets. His proprietary ValuVesting System™ focuses on stocks that provide exceptional quality at relatively low prices. Many savvy investors and industry leaders consider it the most powerful stock-picking method ever created.