Metro makes a big buy

Article Excerpt

METRO INC. $42 (Toronto symbol MRU; Aggressive Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 227.4 million; Market cap: $9.6 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.7; Dividend yield: 1.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.metro. ca) operates 600 grocery stores and 250 drugstores, in Quebec and Ontario. The company will now buy Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (Toronto symbol PJC.A). That firm operates 419 franchised drug stores in Quebec, New The company will now buy Jean Coutu Group (PJC) Inc. (Toronto symbol PJC.A). That firm operates 419 franchised drug stores in Quebec, New Brunswick and Ontario. It also makes generic pharmaceutical drugs through its Pro Doc business. Under the terms of the deal, Metro will pay $4.5 billion for Jean Coutu—75% in cash and 25% in Metro common shares. The family who holds 93% of Jean Coutu has agreed to tender its shares to the offer. Big acquisitions like this Under the terms of the deal, Metro will pay $4.5 billion for Jean Coutu—75% in cash and 25%…