Metro Inc
| Morningstar Rating for Stocks | Fair Value | Economic Moat | Capital Allocation |
|---|---|---|---|
| &rY | LOCK|B<c | LOCK|%%?tV^s |
Metro Earnings: New Distribution Center Ramp-Up Completed, Challenging Consumer Backdrop Persists
We plan to maintain our CAD 70 per share fair value estimate for no-moat Metro after absorbing its third-quarter results. Sales grew 3.5% amid cooling food price inflation, while adjusted earnings per share were flat as duplication of costs during the distribution capacity ramp-up weighed on profits. Our 2024 projection for 3% sales growth and a 1% decline in adjusted EPS is unchanged, with the new Quebec distribution center now fully operational. Our 10-year forecasts for low-single-digit top-line growth and operating margins averaging 6.5% remain in place, and we view shares as overvalued.
