Here’s our Pick of the Month June, 2007

Article Excerpt

LEON’S FURNITURE $59 (Toronto symbol LNF; SI Rating: Average) (416-243-7880; www.leons.ca; Shares outstanding: 17.7 million; Market cap: $1.0 billion) has built new warehouse showrooms and renovated its existing stores to profit from the boom in residential construction over the last few years. But even with housing sales now in a slowdown, the company will keep prospering because new homeowners tend to keep buying home furnishings in the first few years of ownership. Leon’s has built its chain of over 60 furniture outlets on its three main advantages: a huge selection of furniture, appliances and electronics; a lowest-price guarantee; and superior after-sales service. Leon’s aggressively promotes its cross-Canada stores with TV, radio and print ads. We’ve recommended Leon’s a number of times as our Pick of the Month. The stock’s price has almost tripled since we first recommended it at $21 in July, 1999. Leon’s reported 15.6% higher sales in the three months ended March 31, 2007, to $138.7 million from $120 million a..