LOBLAW CO. $34.12 - Toronto symbol L

LOBLAW CO. $34.12 (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 281.4 million; Market cap: $9.6 billion; TSINetwork Rating: Above Average; Dividend yield: 2.5%; www.loblaw.ca) continues to invest in new computers as part of a far-reaching plan to improve its efficiency and avoid product shortages in its stores.

In the three months ended June 16, 2012, the company spent $20 million on these initiatives. That’s the main reason why its earnings fell 19.3% in the quarter, to $159 million, or $0.57 a share, from $197 million, or $0.70 a share, a year earlier.

Sales rose 1.3%, to $7.4 billion from $7.3 billion. Overall sales at its supermarkets rose 1.1%, while same-store sales rose 0.2%. Revenue from its financial-services division, which mainly issues credit cards, rose 14.9%.

Loblaw is a buy.

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