Empire (TSE:EMP.A) Price Target Raised to C$43.00 at BMO Capital Markets

Empire (TSE:EMP.A) had its price objective hoisted by equities researchers at BMO Capital Markets from C$40.00 to C$43.00 in a research note issued to investors on Friday, BayStreet.CA reports. The firm currently has a “market perform” rating on the stock. BMO Capital Markets’ target price indicates a potential upside of 7.85% from the stock’s previous close.

Other equities research analysts have also recently issued research reports about the stock. Royal Bank of Canada cut their price objective on shares of Empire from C$42.00 to C$41.00 and set a “sector perform” rating on the stock in a report on Friday, June 21st. Desjardins raised their target price on shares of Empire from C$38.00 to C$40.00 and gave the stock a “buy” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. TD Securities raised their target price on shares of Empire from C$36.00 to C$38.00 and gave the stock a “hold” rating in a report on Monday, June 24th. Finally, National Bankshares raised their target price on shares of Empire from C$41.00 to C$42.00 in a report on Thursday, August 29th. Four equities research analysts have rated the stock with a hold rating and three have issued a buy rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat, the company currently has an average rating of “Hold” and a consensus price target of C$43.14.

Empire Stock Performance

Shares of TSE:EMP.A traded down C$0.75 during mid-day trading on Friday, reaching C$39.87. The company had a trading volume of 146,021 shares, compared to its average volume of 404,548. The company’s 50-day moving average price is C$36.95 and its 200-day moving average price is C$34.45. The company has a current ratio of 0.80, a quick ratio of 0.29 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 134.59. Empire has a one year low of C$31.45 and a one year high of C$41.38. The firm has a market cap of C$5.72 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 13.65, a PEG ratio of 16.20 and a beta of 0.47.

Insider Activity

In related news, Director William Linton sold 7,058 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$34.39, for a total transaction of C$242,690.74. Following the completion of the transaction, the director now owns 875 shares in the company, valued at approximately C$30,087.05. In other Empire news, Director William Linton sold 7,058 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, June 21st. The shares were sold at an average price of C$34.39, for a total transaction of C$242,690.74. Following the sale, the director now owns 875 shares of the company’s stock, valued at approximately C$30,087.05. Also, Senior Officer Vivek Sood sold 4,236 shares of the company’s stock in a transaction on Friday, July 19th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$36.17, for a total transaction of C$153,228.83. Following the completion of the sale, the insider now directly owns 381 shares in the company, valued at C$13,781.91. In the last quarter, insiders sold 14,294 shares of company stock worth $504,880. 2.15% of the stock is currently owned by corporate insiders.

Empire Company Profile

Empire Company Limited, together with its subsidiaries, engages in the food retail and related real estate businesses in Canada. It operates through two segments, Food Retailing, and Investments and Other Operations. The company owns, affiliates, and franchises approximately 1,500 retail stores under various retail banners, including Sobeys, Safeway, IGA, Foodland, FreshCo, Thrifty Foods, and Lawtons Drugs; and approximately 350 retail fuel locations.