Leon’s gains despite lower sales

Article Excerpt

LEON’S FURNITURE LTD. $15 (Toronto symbol LNF; High-Growth Payer Portfolio, Consumer sector; s/o: 76.2 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; Dividend yield: 3.7%; Dividend Sustainability Rating: Above Average; www.leons.ca) sells furniture and appliances though 303 stores across Canada, mainly under the Leon’s and Brick banners. The company last raised its quarterly dividend with the October 2018 payment. The new annual rate of $0.56 yields 3.7%. In the quarter ended December 31, 2018, Leon’s overall sales rose 0.8%, to $601.7 million from $596.9 million a year earlier. However, same-store sales declined 0.1%. The company earned $38.3 million, up 6.0% from $36.1 million. Earnings per share rose 4.4%, to $0.47 from $0.45, on more shares outstanding. The jump in profits was partly due to higher sales of more-profitable merchandise. Leon’s Furniture is a buy. buy. …