Tough markets keep these two on hold

Article Excerpt

REITMANS (CANADA) LTD. $7.26 (Toronto symbol RET.A; TSINetwork Rating: Extra Risk) (514-384- 1140; www.reitmans.com; Shares outstanding: 64.6 million; Market cap: $451.7 million; Dividend yield: 2.8%) owns 823 women’s clothing stores across Canada. The chain consists of 341 Reitmans, 139 Penningtons, 107 Smart Set, 105 Addition Elle, 76 RW & Co. and 68 Thyme Maternity stores. It also has 21 Thyme Maternity boutiques in Canadian Babies “R” Us stores. In the quarter ended January 31, 2015, Reitmans’ sales fell 1.8%, to $236.3 million from $240.7 million a year earlier. Sales declined because it closed 55 lessprofitable stores. Same-store sales gained 2.1%. However, the store closures helped Reitmans earn $4.4 million, or $0.07 a share, in the latest quarter. A year ago, it lost $2.6 million, or $0.04. Earnings also benefited from cost-cutting measures. The retailer’s balance sheet remains strong: it holds cash of $197.3 million, or $3.06 a share, and its longterm debt is just $3.6 million. The stock yields 2.8%. …