Metro Inc. (TSE:MRU) Given Average Recommendation of "Hold" by Analysts

Key Points

• Analysts broadly recommend holding Metro: Seven of nine analysts rate the stock “Hold,” while one rates it “Buy” and one “Strong Buy.” The average 12-month price target is C$102.33, above the recent C$90.05 price.
• Recent analyst actions were mixed, with TD raising its target to C$108 and upgrading Metro to “Strong Buy,” while BMO downgraded the stock to “Hold” and cut its target to C$95.
• Metro reported quarterly earnings of C$1.24 per share on C$6.97 billion in revenue and declared a quarterly dividend of C$0.4075, equivalent to an annualized C$1.63 payout and a 1.8% yield.

Metro Inc. (TSE:MRU - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average recommendation of "Hold" from the nine ratings firms that are currently covering the company, MarketBeat reports. Seven analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, one has given a buy rating and one has issued a strong buy rating on the company. The average 1-year price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$102.33.

Several analysts recently commented on the stock. TD lifted their target price on shares of Metro from C$106.00 to C$108.00 and gave the stock a "buy" rating in a report on Thursday, August 13th. BMO Capital Markets cut shares of Metro from an "outperform" rating to a "hold" rating and lowered their price target for the company from C$105.00 to C$95.00 in a report on Monday, July 20th. Royal Bank Of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Metro from C$111.00 to C$110.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research report on Thursday, August 13th. TD Securities raised Metro to a "strong-buy" rating in a report on Wednesday, July 29th. Finally, National Bank Financial reduced their price target on Metro from C$105.00 to C$102.00 and set a "sector perform" rating for the company in a research note on Thursday, August 13th.

Metro Stock Performance

MRU opened at C$90.05 on Friday. Metro has a 12-month low of C$86.63 and a 12-month high of C$101.30. The stock has a market cap of C$18.84 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 21.39, a PEG ratio of 4.06 and a beta of 0.18. The business has a 50 day moving average of C$91.06 and a 200-day moving average of C$92.27. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.43 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 71.09.

Metro (TSE:MRU - Get Free Report) last posted its earnings results on Wednesday, August 12th. The company reported C$1.24 earnings per share for the quarter. Metro had a return on equity of 12.87% and a net margin of 4.00%.The business had revenue of C$6.97 billion for the quarter. On average, equities research analysts expect that Metro will post 4.8188614 earnings per share for the current year.

Metro Announces Dividend

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, September 22nd. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, September 22nd will be paid a $0.4075 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Thursday, September 3rd. This represents a $1.63 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.8%. Metro's payout ratio is 36.94%.

About Metro

With annual sales of more than $22 billion, METRO Inc is a food and pharmacy leader in Québec and Ontario, providing employment to more than 97,000 people. Its purpose is to Nourish the health and well-being of our communities. As a retailer, franchisor, distributor, manufacturer, and provider of eCommerce services, the company operates or services a network of some 1,000 food stores under several banners including Metro, Metro Plus, Super C, Food Basics, Adonis and Première Moisson, and some 640 pharmacies primarily under the Jean Coutu, Brunet, Metro Pharmacy and Food Basics Pharmacy banners.

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