This furniture seller’s a dividend star

Article Excerpt

Leon’s shares fell below $12 in March 2020 as COVID-19 forced the retailer to close stores and suspend its dividend. However, thanks to strong sales through its online channels as customers upgraded their home offices and living spaces, the company has reinstated its dividend and declared two special payments. We feel the stock—and dividend—could move higher in the next few months as the economy recovers. LEON’S FURNITURE LTD. $25 is a buy for aggressive investors. The retailer (Toronto symbol LNF; High-Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 78.3 million; Market cap: $2.0 billion; Dividend yield: 2.6%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Average; www.leons.ca) began operating in 1909. It now controls nationwide chains (a total of 304 stores) selling furniture and appliances, mainly under the Leon’s and The Brick banners. To conserve cash during the COVID-19 pandemic, Leon’s cut your quarterly dividend by 25.0% in July 2020, to $0.12 a share from $0.16. However, as its stores re-opened, Leon’s raised the quarterly dividend to $0.14…