Stockchase Opinions

Doug Grieve George Weston Ltd. WN-T HOLD Apr 04, 2017

Preferred series IV 5.2%? This is a good credit, but it is investment-grade rated by the credit rating agencies, and is a credit he is comfortable with. This specific issue is a straight perpetual, so from a deflationary standpoint, it is pretty defensive. It will do well if you think rates are going to go down. If rates go up a little, you are in great shape as well. It trades at around par with a running rate of around 520.

$115.350

Stock price when the opinion was issued

food processing
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PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick Mar 17/20, Up 5%) About 64% of its NAV is in Loblaw, and the grocers have done well in the pandemic, but they also invested a lot in home delivery and safety, so that has limited gains. Over 30% of WN is Choice Properties, and that's been steady. Weston Foods segment should pick up again and do very well. Definitely buy and hold.
DON'T BUY

He loves Loblaw, owned by WN. Even with the bakery sale, it will still trade at a discount. Nothing wrong with WN, but he'd rather own Loblaw, which makes up about 60% of WN's value.

HOLD
Operating extremely well. Hitting new highs. Tailwinds could last a while. Defensive. Coming transition from consumer staples to small caps will reduce WN's price momentum. Hold, wait for a pullback or consolidation.
BUY
It's had a good run. Was his top pick in March 2020. IN recent quarters, they've been simplying their structure. What's held their valuation was Weston Foods, which they are divesting. So, the company will focus on Loblaw and Choice Properties. Higher costs have impacted the former during the pandemic. But investments in home delivery have done well. He likes consumer staples now.
BUY
Interesting at these levels. They mostly own Loblaw, which is doing very well. Weston just sold their bakery business. Weston is effectively a holding company for the Weston family. Owning either Loblaw or Weston is good, and Weston is trading around 13x earnings and pays a 2% dividend. He owns no food stocks--it's always been a difficult business.
BUY
If you own this, you've done very well and will continue to. Inflation will push up prices of basic items. Weston dominates in grocery stores in Canada, so their sales and margins will rise. It's had a good run. The trend in consumer staples will see more pricing power.
BUY

Billy Kawasaki’s Insights - Billy’s most-liked answers from 5i Research. Have been a good place to hide out in the recent market. EPS is growing by 15% for the next two years. Good for a staples company. Debt is high but not unusual for hte company. Repurchasing shares. Looks fine here. Unlock Premium - Try 5i Free

TOP PICK
Low risk. WN owns the Loblaw and Shoppers Drug Mart real estate and accounts for half their earnings. A dull and boring consumer staples business. Trades at a 12% discount to its holdings in Loblaw and Choice REIT. They just raised their dividend by 10% today, though it isn't huge. They just sold their baked-goods business and sit on $3.1 billion. The family will buy a lot more shares in coming years. A well-run company. He sees a 10% rise in the share price. (Analysts’ price target is $170.38)
PAST TOP PICK
(A Top Pick May 10/22, Up 19%)

It owns some choice properties including industrial ones. It trades like a staple and is still below its NAV. If you own you could trim half.

TOP PICK

Likes it for primarily being Loblaws and Choice Properties which has a solid tenant base including Shoppers Drug Mart. Has reasonable growth prospects. The only caveat is politicians complaining about high food prices, but it doesn't bother him. The grocers face costs pressures from energy costs and higher wages.

(Analysts’ price target is $189.86)