TSE:NWC

North West Company (NWC.TO)

49.83
-3.53 (6.62%)
as of Jun 10, 2026, 8:00:00 pm Market Open.
187 watching
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Investor Insights
star iconJun 10, 2026, 12:00 am

This summary was created by AI, based on 5 opinions in the last 12 months.

North West Company (NWC-T) has garnered a favorable reputation in the retail sector, particularly due to its defensive characteristics. Although it is relatively small, the company has demonstrated stability and resilience, overcoming challenges such as a previous dividend cut due to lease issues, which once led to significant investor backlash. Currently, NWC is experiencing a consolidation period after a strong rally in early 2024, with its forward earnings multiples returning to levels consistent with its historical averages. Expert insights indicate a solid long-term outlook, especially considering potential government investments in Northern infrastructure and defense that could positively impact NWC. Despite recent earnings and sales that fell short of estimates, the company remains a steady performer with a reliable dividend, making it an appealing option for income-focused investors in a stable market environment.

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Consensus
Positive
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Valuation
Fair Value
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BUY

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. They beat EPS estimates by 4 cents, at 70 cents. EBITDA beat estimates by 20% at $83.6M. Same store sales rose. They continue to benefit from the pandemic and have controlled costs well. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Dec 03/19, Up 20%) Consumer staples have been a good place to be. It is one of the original unit trust companies and one of the oldest companies in Canada. They have benefited from servicing remote communities where there is little competition. They have maintained a good dividend. Management is doing a good job.
BUY
Allan Tong’s Discover Picks This consumer defensive name operates retail stores, selling groceries and household items, in the Canadian far north, Alaska and Caribbean. Because it operates in such an extreme geography, NWC enjoys a monopoly. North West Company pays 4.45% dividend. Read Best Dividend Stocks Canada for our full analysis.
COMMENT
He used to it own two years ago when its growth stalled. They operate in the extreme north so enjoy a retail monopoly, even insulated from e-commerce. So, they're stable. But they struggle to integrate an airline they bought. It yields 4%, which is safe, but he doesn't see stock price appreciation.
COMMENT
Resistance at $28. He predicts a general market pullback in January of 5-10%. This will return to $27. Wait. But if it breaks below $23, it will head lower.
TOP PICK
They're going more into services. They're integrating a small airline for delivery, so there's synergy. Pays a fine 4.65% yield. A long-term buy. (Analysts’ price target is $31.00)
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Oct 24/18, Up 5%) Has been flattish. Frustrated with it. Used to be a compelling retail story. Earnings stalled, and share price stuck in a trading range. Didn't like their acquisition of an airline.
DON'T BUY
They are almost a regulated company as they are so subsidized. It is a decent but very slow growth company. He would look elsewhere.
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Feb 22/18, Up 23%) He bought at the right time; NWC has since benefitted from the rise in defensive stocks. It's a multi-year secular grower, insulated from competitors. NWC bought a small regional airline and have struggled to integrate it into their supply chain, and were hit hard in the Caribbean where they also operate from hurricanes in 2017. A macro tailwind is that Alaska and the far north have had strong economies. He's sticking with this and happy to.
TOP PICK

Deals in staples with inelastic demand, running stores in Alaska and remote northern Canada and isolated parts of the South Pacific and Caribbean selling food and general merchandise. These areas are so remote that there is no competition from e-commerce. These are natural monopolies, so NWC enjoys higher margins than a grocer. They're rebuilding their Caribbean stores after the 2017 hurricanes. (4.55% dividend yield, Analysts; Price Target $32.40)

WEAK BUY

He held it a few years ago. It took a tumble and has started to stabilize. They have a unique business model. You have a good yield but he is cautious that they have not turned the corner yet after the pull back. It is a little expensive.

WATCH

He is considering owning it. They have some short term issues, some self inflicted and some market. They just bought an airline.

DON'T BUY

It's retail in the far north. Unlike retail outside the far north, NWC has customers scattered geographically who depend on their goods. But he thinks revenue and dividend growth will be weak. You're not getting much return. He's not a fan of retail anyway. Higher costs to retail in the far north where they operate, namely transportation of goods on snowy roads.

COMMENT

The stock has come way down. It had a great run for many years with very little competition but today, the margins of Giant Tiger have come way down in the West because of increased competition and because they are selling a higher proportion of food, which carries low margin. The expansion to the Caribbean has brought better margins but much higher risk because of the hurricanes. It’s a well-managed company that faces headwinds right now. It’s not clear what they will or should do with Giant Tiger in the future.

TOP PICK

Recent addition to their portfolio. Operates 225 stores in the Canadian north and Caribbean. Kind of immune to the influence of e-commerce given its logistics. Acts like a natural local monopoly. Trades at 14.5 times earnings (Analysts’ price target is $33.80)

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