STOCKCHASE

The cheapest of the bunch. Not a bad defensive investment.

2007-01-15

DON'T BUY

38.780

By the parent company, instead. Empire Corp. Has better assets, and a better mix of stuff.

2006-10-23

DON'T BUY

39.150

Martin Hubbes, CFA

Prefers the management teams on Loblaws (L-T) and Metro (MRU.A-T) because of their history of better execution. Some day, this will be a wonderful turnaround but, the question is when.

2006-09-01

DON'T BUY

38.910

Doesn't like the whole sector. This company missed out on the A & P acquisition. The big risk is the headline worry of Wal-Mart coming in.

2006-08-21

BUY

38.650

Sobeys has reported earnings which are in-line. They are positive. They have had a trying time as Walmart comes in with its big box stores. Hold if you own, but don't buy right now.

2006-03-15

WEAK BUY

38.260

Bill MacLachlan

Prefers Loblaws (L-T) and the reach they have. Likes the way they have gone head to head with Wal-Mart (WMT-N). There isn't a better managed company in the food sector. Also prefers George Weston (WN-T).

2005-03-24

HOLD

38.230

George Loughery

Speculation that this and Metro (MRU.SV.A-T) might be involved with the purchase of A&P Canada.

2005-03-15

BUY

34.450

Generally likes the grocery area. Thinks they will do fine. Currently having a little bit of difficulty with their margins being squeezed. Sales have gone up.

2005-01-05

WEAK BUY

34.400

Brian Acker, CA

Model price is about $38. Doesn't qualify for their current portfolio.

2004-12-24

DON'T BUY

35.800

Neil Wickham

Food market in eastern Canada is extremely competitive. For them to grow, they have to do it on a long term basis and doesn't think it will give much return.

2004-11-23

DON'T BUY

33.650

Veronika Hirsch

Its problem is that they have Loblaws as a competitor. Has a habit of blowing up every once in a while. Would prefer Loblaws which has higher valuations, buy pays off.

2004-11-04

WEAK BUY

29.380

In the broad context of the market, this is a nice place to hide. Won't be as volatile as many other sectors. Would rather own Loblaws or Metro, especially Loblaws.

2004-07-27

DON'T BUY

28.950

Not interested in owning either Sobeys or Loblaws. Not a fan of the retailing food industry.

2004-07-05

DON'T BUY

29.700

Grocery business is a tough industry to make money in. Loblaws has the economic clout, geography and management experience to dominate any market. Margins are being hurt.

2004-06-17

WAIT

27.500

Has been undergoing margin pressures preparing for Wal-Mart. About 10 X next year's earnings, so is very cheap. Wait to see when Loblaws margin compression comes to an end.

2004-05-18

DON'T BUY

28.220

Ross Healy

Cheap on a fair market value but, the earnings forecast trend has been going down, down, down. Also had a technical breakdown.

2004-04-29

DON'T BUY

30.620

Norman Levine

In an even more precarious shape than Loblaws Re: Wal-Mart. Have also had execution issues.

2004-03-12

TOP PICK

34.070

Should be worth closer to fair value of $40. Could go higher. Good company at great price.

2004-02-04

DON'T BUY

35.100

Have a lot of work to do to meet the competition.

2004-01-20

DON'T BUY

34.900

David Cockfield

Has expanded into Ontario by buying smaller chains but feels they are finding this new market's competition tougher than expected. Margins and earnings have suffered. Loblaws is now moving into the Maritimes.

2004-01-09

DON'T BUY

33.300

Ray Steele

Has had to struggle. Loblaws is a very strong competitor. A solid company, but there are more exciting places to invest.

2003-12-31

DON'T BUY

33.400

David Cockfield

Has grown in Ontario my acquisition which is expensive. Loblaws have been giving them strong competition in Ontario and out east.

2003-12-30

WATCH

32.380

It's very cheap at 10X next year's earnings but, has a black cloud over it because of the black out last summer. Over the long term, could be a very interesting buy.

2003-12-22

DON'T BUY

31.360

Not a bad company, but they are up against the juggernaut, Loblaws.

2003-12-09

DON'T BUY

29.520

Mike Weir

Would prefer Loblaws. Sobey’s could be affected more by competition.

2003-11-25

WEAK BUY

31.250

Ted Macklin

Good operators. Have paid down the debt that was created by their acquisition. They tripped in the last quarter and blamed the blackout. This is questionable. Longer-term should do well. Would prefer Loblaw's.

2003-11-06

DON'T BUY

31.060

Richard Stone

They have too many issues. Expect the price will be cheaper down the road.

2003-10-29

DON'T BUY

31.800

Andrew McCreath

Prefers Loblaws.

2003-10-20

WAIT

32.150

Profit warning in its last quarter. Cheap at 10 X earnings, but a “Show Me” story. Expect it will tread water for a while.

2003-10-16

BUY

32.010

Ray Steele

Have had a setback in earnings. Have done a pretty good job of consolidating the IGA stores. A pretty sound investment for the stable portion of someone's portfolio.

2003-10-03

HOLD

32.050

John Zechner

Trading at around 10/11 X forward earnings. Had some disappointments in the last two quarters. The market is in a “ show me” mode. Good management. Will have to demonstrate for a couple of quarters.

2003-10-02

DON'T BUY

32.240

Mike Weir

Prefers Loblaw's. Having some trouble getting growth.

2003-09-29

DON'T BUY

31.850

John Zechner

Valuation is very cheap. Last two quarters, they had some disappointments. Trading around 10/11 X forward earnings. Have to start showing some growth.

2003-09-23

DON'T BUY

32.370

Earnings disappointed the street and the quarter having the blackout hasn’t even been reported yet. Have been losing some market share.

2003-09-11

DON'T BUY

31.450

Richard Stone

Will take a hit on inventory loss because of hydro failure. Expects more tough quarters.

2003-09-10

HOLD

32.000

Nereo Piticco

Dropped because they didn’t meet expectations. May have been oversold.

2003-09-09

WEAK BUY

36.350

Andrew McCreath

Expects management will continue to deliver.A decent investment.

2003-08-15

PAST TOP PICK

36.250

(Was a top pick on June 18/03.No change.)Picked because it was a laggard, but is still lagging.Very cheap.A good safe place to be.

2003-08-11

WEAK BUY

35.950

John Zechner

In the long-term, a strong management group.Has done very well.Not a bad story, but not a sector they're investing in right now.

2003-08-07

TOP PICK

35.780

(Was the top pick.April 9, 2003.No change.)While the rest of the market has gone up Sobeys has dropped.A good buying opportunity.P/E of 12.

2003-08-05

WEAK BUY

35.000

Looks reasonably priced. Concerned as to whether it can maintain the profit growth. Strong balance sheet.

2003-07-23

WEAK BUY

35.350

Doesn't have the glamour or size of Loblaws, so there is a discount. A solid company. Good asset, but not moving much.

2003-07-18

BUY

34.950

Ross Healy

Cheap and has decent upside potential. A good defensive play.

2003-07-10

BUY

35.320

Well run. Prefers Metro. Good price. Solid company. Half the multiple of Loblaws. Some growth.

2003-07-08

BUY

36.110

Ray Steele

Great company. Stable. Slow growing.

2003-06-19

TOP PICK

36.260

(Was a top pick on Mar 6/03. Down 2.8%.) Has lagged a bit. Should have a couple of years of decent earnings growth. A safe place to be.

2003-06-18

TOP PICK

36.260

Good price and growth potential. Expects 10/15% upside.

2003-06-18

BUY

36.600

Food retailers have been doing fairly well. Market share is holding fairly well. A good long term hold. Good price.

2003-06-12

DON'T BUY

35.230

Mark Jackson, CFA

Price looks attractive, but would rather own the leader, Loblaws.

2003-04-14

TOP PICK

35.090

At a good price for a 15/20% return over 6 months.

2003-04-09

BUY

36.600

Larry Berman CFA, CMT, CTA

2003-03-24

DON'T BUY

36.600

Will be relatively weak more than in the past, because of a market recovery.

2003-03-24

BUY

37.000

A defensive investment. A good long term hold.

2003-03-20

BUY

36.150

Glenn Paradis, BA, CFA

Better operations in the last year. Earnings growth is flattening out. A defensive stock.

2003-03-17

TOP PICK

37.500

Good safe haven. 10% off their highs.

2003-03-06

BUY

38.200

Reasonably priced.

2003-03-05

WEAK BUY

39.400

Defensive stock. Prefers Loblaws.

2002-12-19

PAST TOP PICK

39.000

(Was a top pick on Aug 14. Up 5%)Still likes.

2002-12-11

PAST TOP PICK

38.050

(Was a top pick on Aug 14. Up 2%.) Still likes.

2002-11-07

HOLD

37.300

Richard Stone

Money that moved in for defensive purposes is now moving out.

2002-11-05

BUY

36.750

Doing well. Expanding into Ontario. Reasonable.

2002-11-04

STRONG BUY

38.010

Was recently a top pick of his.

2002-10-28

TOP PICK

39.500

Beating the analysts' ratings. Good Price. Has a low multiple.

2002-10-07

BUY

40.000

Ted Macklin

Good operators. Prefers Loblaws.

2002-10-03

DON'T BUY

39.850

Bill Shaw

Cheaper than Loblaws, but not sure of management.

2002-09-27

BUY

38.150

14 X earnings. Cheaper than Loblaws.

2002-08-20

WEAK BUY

38.800

Loblaws is a tough competition. Not a bad buy.

2002-08-19

TOP PICK

37.680

Increasing their margins. 12 X earnings.

2002-08-15

HOLD

37.200

Has done well.

2002-08-13

BUY

38.250

Good value.

2002-07-29

BUY

41.900

Steven Wippersteg

Likes the sector. Prefers Loblaws.

2002-07-05

PAST TOP PICK

42.450

(Was a top pick on Feb 6. Up 30%). Still likes.

2002-07-04

BUY

40.900

David Burrows

Should do well.

2002-06-28

DON'T BUY

43.250

A little ahead of fundamentals. (Money has moved into the stock for safety.)

2002-05-27

WEAK BUY

43.000

Mark Jackson, CFA

Prefers Loblaws. Good company.

2002-05-01

TOP PICK

39.400

Good price. Will earn $2.

2002-04-17

DON'T BUY

38.850

Brian Acker, CA

Likes, but too expensive.

2002-04-12

DON'T BUY

38.700

Nereo Piticco

A little high now.

2002-04-08

BUY

34.950

Has been a defensive play. A reasonable investment on a long term basis.

2002-03-13

TOP PICK

33.850

Good valuation. Solid.

2002-02-27

WEAK BUY

30.650

Ted Macklin

Have a lot of debt. Good mangement. Prefers Loblaws.

2002-02-12

TOP PICK

32.650

A good franchise. At a discount to others in this sector.

2002-02-06

DON'T BUY

32.090

Robert Floyd

A little pricey.

2002-02-01

DON'T BUY

7.150

Gordon Higgins, CA, MBA

Has had problems and has considerable debt.

2002-01-07

BUY

30.950

(Was a top pick on Nov 7 up 26%) Has room to grow. Cheap.

2001-12-18

PAST TOP PICK

29.500

Eric Bushell

(Was a top pick on Sept 6 up 10%) New mngmnt is good. Still likes.

2001-12-13

DON'T BUY

26.400

Limited expansion available. Prefers Loblaws.

2001-12-03

DON'T BUY

24.070

Andrew Cook

Wait to see if numbers improve.

2001-11-19

TOP PICK

24.490

A secure stock. 11.5 X earnings. Prefers over Loblaws.

2001-11-07

BUY

24.100

Safer than Loblaws and at a better price.

2001-11-05

DON'T BUY

24.250

Prefers others.

2001-10-31

TOP PICK

26.300

Expanding well. 13 X next years earnings.

2001-10-15

TOP PICK

27.410

Eric Bushell

Integration will be taking effect.

2001-09-06

DON'T BUY

25.350

Martin Hubbes, CFA

Good company, but prefers Metro Richileau. Had a few glitches.

2001-08-24

DON'T BUY

23.740

Gordon Higgins, CA, MBA

A lot of competition. Has had operating problems. Prefers Metro Inc.

2001-07-25

DON'T BUY

23.600

Have made a recovery. New mngmnt. Growing market share. May be overpriced now.

2001-06-21

DON'T BUY

24.000

Long term should be fine. Had a write off on software. Mngmnt changes. Short term NO.

2001-06-04

DON'T BUY

23.500

Keith Graham

Prefers Loblaws. Under performer.

2001-05-31

DON'T BUY

20.900

Have a lot of problems. Margins smaller than Loblaws. Prefers Weston

2001-03-26

WAIT

20.250