12:52 PM EST, 01/27/2025 (MT Newswires) -- Loblaw ( LBLCF ) reports its fourth-quarter results on Feb. 2.

National Bank is forecasting 9% y/y EPS growth, reflecting positive Food Retail (FR) same store sales growth, continued growth (albeit slowing) in Shoppers Drug Mart (SDM), benefits from growth/efficiency programs, and share repurchases.

Analyst Vishal Shreedhar expects Loblaw's ( LBLCF ) 2025 outlook to be in line with the financial framework of 8-10% y/y EPS growth (NBF models 9% and consensus reflects 11%). National's expectation also reflects 3% y/y top line growth, retail gross margin improvement of 16 bps y/y and retail SG&A leverage of 9 bps y/y.

Maintain Outperform; price target is $195

Price: 184.74, Change: -1.80, Percent Change: -0.96