Here’s Our Pick Of The Month September 2007

Article Excerpt

METRO INC. $34.04 (Toronto symbol MRU.A; SI Rating: Extra Risk) (514-643-1055; www.metro.ca; Shares outstanding: 115.3 million; Market cap: $3.9 billion) is a leader in the food distribution business in Quebec, operating Metro supermarkets, Super C discount supermarkets and Marche Richelieu neighbourhood stores. It also operates Loeb stores in northeastern Ontario. Metro expanded further into Ontario in 2005 with the acquisition of A&P Canada for $1.7 billion. A&P Canada operates 244 food stores throughout Ontario under the A&P, Dominion, Food Basics, The Barn and Ultra Food & Drug banners. Metro’s ongoing earnings in its fiscal third quarter ended July 7, 2007 rose 16.3%, to $91.1 million or $0.78 a share, from $78.3 million or $0.68 a share. This excludes one-time charges from acquisitions and other sources. Sales rose slightly, to $3.341 billion from $3.337 billion, but rose 3.2% excluding wholesale interests divested one year earlier. Metro’s shares yield 1.4%. Metro continues to successfully integrate the stores acquired in the purchase of A&P Canada. During…