October 17, 2024
Top 10 Stock Loblaw Buy Recommendation
How to read the ranks
For every stock, we judge its performance against its peers and rank it on a scale of 1 to 100. The higher the rank, the better the stock performs than its peers. And, we do this for six investment strategies:
Value - shows how good of a value the stock is. Green is "inexpensive"; red is "expensive".
Growth - shows a company's growth potential. Green is "high growth" expected; red is "tough times ahead".
Safety - relates to the amount of debt a company has. Green is low debt level; red is high debt level.
Combined Financial - this isn't an average of the first three ranks but rather a consolidated view across several financial indicators. Green = good; red = tread carefully.
(NEW) Sentiment - quantifies professional analyst ratings and holdings as well as market pulse. Green = positive sentiment; red = skepticism (Only available to Premium Subscribers).
(NEW) 360° View - the ultimate rating with all financial and non-financial indicators.
Snapshot: Loblaw – Top 10 Stock in Toronto Stock Exchange Index TSX Composite
Loblaw is listed as a top 10 stock on October 17, 2024 in the market index TSX Composite because of its high performance in at least one of the Obermatt investment strategies. Two consolidated Obermatt Ranks are above-average. The company is growing above average and professional investor sentiment is positive. Both are encouraging signals for a stock purchase decision, albeit at an above-average share price. Based on the Obermatt 360° View of 63 (high 63% performer), Obermatt assesses an overall buy recommendation for Loblaw on October 17, 2024.
Snapshot: Obermatt Ranks
| Country | Canada |
| Industry | Food Retail |
| Index | TSX Composite |
| Size class | XX-Large |
When Obermatt identifies the Top 10 stocks in a market, it’s based on a certain investment strategy. The best performing stocks usually aren’t the ones that everyone is talking about (those are often "over-priced" and have low Value ranks).
For each investment strategy, we provide you with more detailed analysis and our recommendation. You see the ranks of the top 10 stocks ranked by that particular investment strategy (360° View, Sentiment, Value, Growth, Safety and Combined Financial Performance).
360° View: Obermatt 360° View Loblaw Buy
| 360 METRICS | October 17, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 25 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 97 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 21 |
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| SENTIMENT | ||||||||
| SENTIMENT | 97 |
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| 360° VIEW | ||||||||
| 360° VIEW | 63 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt 360° View of 63 (better than 63% compared with alternatives), overall professional sentiment and financial characteristics for the stock Loblaw are above average. The 360° View is based on consolidating four consolidated indicators, with half of the metrics below and half above average for Loblaw. The consolidated Growth Rank has a good rank of 97, which means that the company experiences above-average growth momentum when looking at financial metrics such as revenue, profit, and invested capital growth as well as stock returns. This means that growth is higher than for 97% of competitors in the same industry. The consolidated Sentiment Rank also has a good rank of 97, which means that professional investors are more optimistic about the stock than for 97% of alternative investment opportunities. But the consolidated Value Rank has a less desirable rank of 25, which means that the share price of Loblaw is on the higher side compared with typical size in indicators such as revenues, profits, and invested capital. This means the stock price is higher than for 75% of alternative stocks in the same industry. Finally, the consolidated Safety Rank has a riskier rank of 21, which means that the company has a financing structure that is riskier than those of 79% comparable companies when looking at the amount of its debt, its refinancing requirements, and its ability to service debt. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated 360° View of 63, Loblaw is better positioned than 63% of all alternative stock investment opportunities based on the Obermatt Method. Only half of the consolidated Obermatt Ranks exhibit excellent performance, so one needs to take a close look. Growth is above-average (Growth Rank of 97), and professional market sentiment is positive (Sentiment Rank of 97), but value and safety are below average. The Safety Rank is the least significant of the four consolidated ranks, because it only reflects financing practices. In the case of high growth, aggressive financing is a good thing. So the question is: How to assess below-average value against above-average growth and sentiment? Growth may be the strongest driver of the investment rationale in this case, which is reflected in institutional investors' opinions. It is typical for growth companies to have low value, as is the case here. Investors are willing to pay more for companies that outperform their competitors. So the question is, how much do you sacrifice value for growth? You can use the following rule of thumb: If you take 100 minus the growth rank, you arrive at a possibly minimum level for the value rank. For example, if the growth rank is at 75, and the value rank is at 5, you should tread carefully. If the value rank is at 40, it still might be a good value if the growth rank is above 60. Sometimes market sentiment just extrapolates the past, but sometimes it reflects reality. You pay more than the market average for this stock, but it may be worth it. ...read more
Sentiment Strategy: Professional Market Sentiment for Loblaw very positive
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Sentiment Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2024, overall professional sentiment and engagement for the stock Loblaw is very positive. The Sentiment Rank is based on consolidating four sentiment indicators, with all four indicators above average for Loblaw. Analyst Opinions are at a rank of 76 (better than 76% of alternative investments), which means that, currently, stock research analysts tend to recommend a stock investment in the company. Analyst Opinions Change is also positive with a rank of 67, which means that stock research experts are changing their opinions for the better and recommending investing in the company. They are getting more optimistic about stock investments in Loblaw. The Professional Investors rank is 71, which means that currently, professional investors hold more stock in this company than in 71% of alternative investment opportunities. Pros tend to favor investing in this company. Finally, Market Pulse has a rank of 98 which means that the current professional news and professional social networks are on the positive side when discussing this company (more positive news than for 98% of competitors). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Sentiment Rank of 97 (more positive than 97% compared with investment alternatives), Loblaw has a reputation among professional investors that is significantly higher than that of its competitors. Since all market sentiment indicators are positive, the professional community highly recommends investment in the company. Does this mean Loblaw stocks are a safe investment? Far from it. Even professionals make mistakes. Especially in stock investing, there is a tendency to follow the leaders. Since trees don't grow to the heavens, such positive sentiment may also be interpreted as a danger sign. A lot of optimism can often be a sign of troubles to come, albeit unforeseen by most. ...read more
Value Strategy: Loblaw Stock Price Value below-average critical
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Value Rank of 25 (worse than 75% compared with alternatives), Loblaw shares are more expensive than the average comparable stock. The Value Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with three out of four indicators below average for Loblaw. Only the metric dividend yield has an above-average rank, reflecting that dividend practices are expected to be higher than 59% of comparable companies, making the stock an attractive buy for dividend investors. However, dividend investors may get disappointed because all other critical financial indicators are below the market median: Price-to-Sales is 29 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profits is higher than 71% of comparable companies, indicating a low value concerning Loblaw's sales levels. The same is valid for Price-to-Profit (also referred to as price-earnings, P/E) with a rank of 29 which means that the stock price compared with what market professionals expect for future profit levels is higher than 71% of comparable companies. In addition, Price-to-Book (also referred to as market-to-book ratio) with a Price-to-Book Rank of 24 is also low. Compared with invested capital, the stock price is higher than for 76% of comparable investments. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Value Rank of 25, is a hold recommendation based on Loblaw's stock price compared with the company's operational size and dividend yields. Should dividend investors pick Loblaw? The company-reported financials speak against it. The company is expensive compared with revenue and invested capital levels, two reliable company size indicators. In addition, it currently has a low level of profits. How can future dividends be paid in the case that profits remain low? Dividend investors should choose Loblaw only if they reasonably expect the low current profit levels to be transitory. ...read more
Growth Strategy: Loblaw Growth Momentum high
ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Growth Rank of 97 (better than 97% compared with alternatives) for 2024, Loblaw shows one of the highest growth dynamics in its industry. Investors also speak of high momentum. The Growth Rank is based on consolidating four value indicators, with all but one indicator above average for Loblaw. Sales Growth has a rank of 57 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow more than 57% of its competitors. Capital Growth is also above 49% of competitors with a rank of 95, and Stock Returns with the rank of 85 is also an outperformance. Only Profit Growth is low with a rank of 49 which means that currently, professionals expect the company to grow its profits less than 51% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: The overall picture with a consolidated Growth Rank of 97, is a buy recommendation for growth and momentum investors. All three operating growth indicators, namely revenue, profit, and capital growth, are showing improvements. This is a good indication of a company with a positive future. That might, at the same time, be the simple reason why profit growth is low. A growing company needs money and thus can't yet show high profit growth. Look out for signs in corporate communication about extra growth efforts costing time and money. If that is the case, Loblaw is a good growth stock. ...read more
Safety Strategy: Loblaw Debt Financing Safety risky
| SAFETY METRICS | October 17, 2024 | |||||||
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| LEVERAGE | ||||||||
| LEVERAGE | 21 |
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| REFINANCING | ||||||||
| REFINANCING | 44 |
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| LIQUIDITY | ||||||||
| LIQUIDITY | 45 |
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| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | ||||||||
| CONSOLIDATED RANK: SAFETY | 21 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Safety Rank of 21 (better than 21% compared with alternatives), the company Loblaw has much riskier financing practices than comparable other companies, which means that their overall debt burden is significantly above the industry average. This doesn't mean that the business of Loblaw is also risky, it only means that the company is on the riskier side in respect to bankruptcy in case things turn sour, assuming that public reporting is correct. The Safety Rank is based on consolidating three financing indicators, with all three metrics below average for Loblaw. Liquidity is at 45, meaning that the company generates less profit to service its debt than 55% of its competitors. This indicates that the company is on the riskier side when it comes to debt service. Even worse, Leverage is at a rank of 21, meaning the company has an above-average debt-to-equity ratio. It has more debt than 79% of its competitors. Finally, Refinancing is at a rank of 44 which means that the portion of the debt about to be refinanced is above average. It has more debt in the refinancing stage than 56% of its competitors. ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: With a consolidated Safety Rank of 21 (worse than 79% compared with alternatives), Loblaw has a financing structure that is significantly riskier than that of its competitors. This combination is rather dangerous in most situations. Only very promising companies with bright future outlooks and stellar reputations can operate with such risky financing.
Combined financial peformance: Loblaw Below-Average Financial Performance
| COMBINED PERFORMANCE | October 17, 2024 | |||||||
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| VALUE | ||||||||
| VALUE | 25 |
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| GROWTH | ||||||||
| GROWTH | 97 |
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| SAFETY | ||||||||
| SAFETY | 45 |
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| COMBINED | ||||||||
| COMBINED | 26 |
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ANALYSIS: With an Obermatt Combined Rank of 26 (worse than 74% compared with investment alternatives), Loblaw (Food Retail, Canada) shares have somewhat below-average financial characteristics compared with similar stocks. Shares of Loblaw are low in value (priced high) with a consolidated Value Rank of 25 (worse than 75% of alternatives), and are riskily financed (Safety Rank of 21, which means above-average debt burdens) but show above-average growth (Growth Rank of 97). ...read more
RECOMMENDATION: A Combined Rank of 26, is a hold recommendation based on Loblaw's financial characteristics. As the company Loblaw shows low value with an Obermatt Value Rank of 25 (75% of comparable investments are less expensive), investors should look at the other ranks. In this case, growth is expected to be above-average, better than 97% of comparable companies (Obermatt Growth Rank is 97). This is a typical case. Companies with above average growth tend to cost more than stocks with slower growth expectations. If this is a high-growth company, the low Obermatt Safety Rank of 21 is a good sign. The more debt a well-performing company has, the higher the returns to shareholders. However, if growth turns negative or interest rates increase, high debt may become a burden. If you believe the future is bright for Loblaw, even a low-value company (in terms of its key financial indicators) can be a good investment. ...read more
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