Updates on LOBLAW COMPANIES, BANK OF NOVA SCOTIA and TORSTAR CORP.

Article Excerpt

LOBLAW COMPANIES $33.02 (Toronto symbol L; Shares outstanding: 276.6 million; Market cap: $9.1 billion; SI Rating: Above Average) reported better-than-expected earnings in the latest quarter. However, the food retailer’s revenue fell short of analysts’ predictions. Loblaw earned $0.69 a share in the three months ended October 10, 2009, up 21.1% from $0.57 a year earlier. That beat the $0.62 a share that analysts were expecting. Savings from Loblaw’s restructuring plan were behind the gain. The company’s restructuring included fixing its supply networks, improving productivity at its distribution centres and installing new inventory-information systems. Revenue fell 0.2%, to $9.47 billion from $9.49 billion. That fell short of the $9.62 billion that analysts were expecting. Same-store sales fell 0.6%, mainly because strong competition from other supermarkets, as well as discount retailers such as Wal-Mart and Costco, is forcing Loblaw to cut its prices. However, the company should continue to benefit from lower operating costs. Moreover, growing sales of its private-label brands, such as President’s Choice…