Metro Inc. saw sales rise for the first quarter of its 2020 financial year, but its earnings fell just short of analysts’ expectations. Grocery store same-store sales would have been higher — up two per cent — if the shift in Christmas sales is taken into account, Metro said. On an adjusted basis, Metro earned $180.9 million or 71 cents per diluted share in the quarter, up from an adjusted profit of $172.2 million or 67 cents per diluted share a year ago. “Given the company’s long track record of consistent performance, we are prepared to give (Metro) the benefit of the doubt,” Nattel wrote. It will pay a quarterly dividend of 22.5 cents per share compared with its previous payment of 20 cents per share.

Source: thestar January 28, 2020 12:45 UTC