Metro (TSE:MRU) PT Lowered to C$74.00 at Scotiabank

Metro (TSE:MRU) had its target price trimmed by Scotiabank from C$74.50 to C$74.00 in a research note released on Monday morning, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a sector perform rating on the stock.

A number of other analysts also recently commented on the stock. National Bankshares increased their price objective on shares of Metro from C$80.00 to C$81.00 and gave the company a sector perform rating in a report on Monday, January 15th. Royal Bank of Canada dropped their price target on shares of Metro from C$83.00 to C$82.00 and set a sector perform rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, January 31st. TD Securities increased their price objective on shares of Metro from C$76.00 to C$78.00 and gave the stock a hold rating in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Finally, BMO Capital Markets increased their price objective on shares of Metro from C$73.00 to C$75.00 in a research report on Wednesday, January 31st. Seven equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating, Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the stock currently has an average rating of Hold and a consensus target price of C$77.14.

Metro Stock Up 0.5 %

MRU opened at C$70.28 on Monday. Metro has a twelve month low of C$65.43 and a twelve month high of C$78.88. The company has a quick ratio of 0.41, a current ratio of 1.16 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 65.71. The company has a 50-day moving average price of C$72.19 and a 200 day moving average price of C$70.61. The company has a market cap of C$15.96 billion, a PE ratio of 16.08, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 2.12 and a beta of 0.04.

Metro (TSE:MRU) last released its quarterly earnings results on Tuesday, January 30th. The company reported C$1.02 earnings per share for the quarter, topping the consensus estimate of C$0.99 by C$0.03. Metro had a net margin of 4.81% and a return on equity of 15.00%. The firm had revenue of C$4.97 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$4.86 billion. Sell-side analysts expect that Metro will post 4.2576393 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Metro Increases Dividend

The firm also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, March 12th. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, March 12th were given a $0.335 dividend. This represents a $1.34 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.91%. The ex-dividend date was Wednesday, February 14th. This is a boost from Metro’s previous quarterly dividend of $0.30. Metro’s dividend payout ratio (DPR) is currently 30.66%.

About Metro

Metro Inc, through its subsidiaries, operates as a retailer, franchisor, distributor, and manufacturer in the food and pharmaceutical sectors in Canada. The company operates supermarkets, discount, neighborhood, and specialty stores that provide fresh and grocery products, baked goods, prepared food products, meats, dairy products, fruits and vegetables, frozen food products, bakery products, delicatessen items, and pastries.