Takeover Talk Boosts Loblaw

Article Excerpt

LOBLAW COMPANIES $35.80 (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 274.2 million; Market cap: $9.8 billion; SI Rating: Above average) has moved up recently on speculation that parent company GEORGE WESTON LIMITED $59.26 (Toronto symbol WN; Shares outstanding: 129.1 million; Market cap: $7.6 billion; SI Rating: Above average) plans to buy the 39% of the company that it does not already own. Weston recently sold its Ontario milk business for $465 million, and has agreed to sell its U.S. bread operations for $2.5 billion U.S. Based on current prices, it would cost Weston roughly $3.6 billion to privatize Loblaw. Loblaw is making good progress with its restructuring, but needs to keep expanding profits to justify its current p/e of around 18. Still, the possibility of a takeover adds to its appeal. Loblaw is still a hold. George Weston is also still a hold. hold…