Two low-priced retailers set for gains

Article Excerpt

LEON’S FURNITURE LTD. $18.01 (Toronto symbol LNF; TSINetwork Rating: Average) (416-243-7880; www.leons.ca; Shares outstanding: 76.3 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; Dividend yield: 3.1%) has steadily increased the number of stores under its Leon’s banner from 27 in 2003 to today’s 86. In March 2013, the company nearly quadrupled in size with its $700 million purchase of The Brick, its main rival. That chain now has 218 locations across Canada and still operates separately. In the three months ended June 30, 2018, Leon’s overall sales rose 1.5%, to $546.7 million from $538.9 million a year earlier. On a same-store basis, sales gained 0.4%. The company earned $22.6 million in the latest quarter, up 13.2% from $20.0 million a year earlier. Earnings per share rose 7.1%, to $0.30 from $0.28, on more shares outstanding. The jump is the result of better sales, but also cost cutting. Successful integration cut The Brick’s risk Growth by acquisition can be risky, especially with a deal as big as the Brick purchase. But the integration…