(WN) George Weston - Ratings and Ratios

George Weston Limited is a Canadian conglomerate with a diverse portfolio of businesses in food retail, real estate, and financial services. At its core, the company operates through two main subsidiaries: Loblaw Companies Limited, a leading retail food and pharmacy chain, and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust, a prominent owner and manager of commercial and residential properties. Loblaws retail operations encompass a range of brands, including Shoppers Drug Mart, Joe Fresh, and Presidents Choice, offering customers a broad spectrum of products and services, from groceries and health care products to financial services and telecommunications.

The companys business model is characterized by its vertically integrated operations, allowing it to control various aspects of its value chain. Loblaws retail presence is complemented by its financial services arm, which provides credit card services, banking, and insurance brokerage services, among others. Meanwhile, Choice Properties focuses on developing and managing a portfolio of necessity-based properties, including retail, logistics, and residential assets, thereby generating stable cash flows. With a history dating back to 1882, George Weston Limited has established itself as a stalwart in the Canadian business landscape, with its headquarters in Toronto.

From a technical analysis perspective, WNs stock price is currently at CAD 280.39, above its 20-day, 50-day, and 200-day simple moving averages (SMA20, SMA50, SMA200) of CAD 268.01, CAD 257.31, and CAD 231.87, respectively. This indicates a positive trend. The Average True Range (ATR) is CAD 4.72, suggesting moderate volatility. Given the current price is at its 52-week high and significantly above the 52-week low of CAD 185.68, the stock has shown resilience and upward momentum.

Combining the technical analysis with fundamental data, we observe that George Weston Limited has a market capitalization of CAD 35.618 billion, a price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio of 31.76, and a forward P/E of 20.75. The Return on Equity (RoE) stands at 19.76%, indicating a strong ability to generate profits from shareholders equity. Based on these metrics, a forecast for WN could involve a continued upward trajectory, driven by its diversified business model and the ongoing demand for its retail and financial services. If the current trends persist, and given the companys solid financials, we could see WN testing new highs in the near term, potentially reaching CAD 300 in the next 6-12 months, contingent upon maintaining its current momentum and absence of significant market downturns.