George Weston Limited (TSE:WN) Given Average Rating of “Moderate Buy” by Brokerages

Shares of George Weston Limited (TSE:WN) have been assigned an average rating of “Moderate Buy” from the six ratings firms that are currently covering the firm, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and four have issued a buy rating on the company. The average twelve-month price objective among brokerages that have updated their coverage on the stock in the last year is C$229.67.

Several research firms have recently commented on WN. BMO Capital Markets increased their price target on shares of George Weston from C$196.00 to C$220.00 and gave the company a “market perform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. CIBC increased their price target on shares of George Weston from C$235.00 to C$254.00 and gave the company an “outperform” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st. TD Securities decreased their price target on shares of George Weston from C$246.00 to C$242.00 and set a “buy” rating on the stock in a research note on Monday, July 22nd. Finally, Desjardins increased their price target on shares of George Weston from C$212.00 to C$232.00 and gave the company a “buy” rating in a research note on Wednesday, July 31st.

Insider Activity at George Weston

In other George Weston news, Director Willard Galen Garfield Weston sold 154 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$207.04, for a total value of C$31,884.16. In other George Weston news, Director Willard Galen Garfield Weston sold 154 shares of the stock in a transaction on Friday, August 9th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$207.04, for a total value of C$31,884.16. Also, Senior Officer Rashid Wasti bought 1,500 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction on Wednesday, August 7th. The stock was purchased at an average price of C$21.34 per share, for a total transaction of C$32,010.00. Over the last ninety days, insiders have acquired 6,300 shares of company stock worth $136,049 and have sold 16,454 shares worth $3,598,502. 59.12% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

George Weston Price Performance

WN opened at C$221.71 on Thursday. George Weston has a one year low of C$144.41 and a one year high of C$224.44. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 171.94, a current ratio of 1.35 and a quick ratio of 0.73. The company’s 50 day simple moving average is C$212.77 and its 200-day simple moving average is C$195.38. The stock has a market capitalization of C$29.30 billion, a P/E ratio of 24.94, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.70 and a beta of 0.42.

George Weston Dividend Announcement

The firm also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which will be paid on Tuesday, October 1st. Investors of record on Sunday, September 15th will be issued a $0.82 dividend. The ex-dividend date is Friday, September 13th. This represents a $3.28 annualized dividend and a yield of 1.48%. George Weston’s dividend payout ratio is currently 36.90%.

About George Weston

George Weston Limited provides food and drug retailing, and financial services in Canada. The company operates through two segments, Loblaw Companies Limited (Loblaw) and Choice Properties Real Estate Investment Trust (Choice Properties). The Loblaw segment provides grocery, pharmacy and healthcare services, health and beauty products, apparel, general merchandise, and financial services.