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Metro Inc (MTRAF) Q2 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Sales Growth and Online Expansion ...

In This Article:

  • Total Sales: $4.9 billion, up 5.5% year-over-year.

  • Food Sales: Increased by 5.2%.

  • Same-Store Sales (Food): Up 3.9% after adjusting for calendar shift.

  • Same-Store Sales (Pharmacy): Increased by 7%.

  • Gross Margin: 20% of sales, up from 19.9% last year.

  • Operating Expenses: $521.3 million, representing 10.6% of sales.

  • EBITDA: $461 million, up 5% year-over-year.

  • Depreciation and Amortization: $136.1 million, up 5.1%.

  • Net Financial Costs: $33.4 million, down from $34.1 million last year.

  • Effective Tax Rate: 24.5%, down from 26.5% last year.

  • Adjusted Net Earnings: $226.6 million, up 9.8% year-over-year.

  • Adjusted EPS: $1.02, up 12.1% from $0.91 last year.

  • Store Expansion: Net increase of 18,100 square feet in food retail network.

  • Online Sales Growth: Increased by 26% for the quarter.

  • Prescription Sales: Up 7.8%.

  • Share Repurchase: 2.849 million shares for $264 million.

Release Date: April 16, 2025

For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript.

Positive Points

  • Metro Inc (MTRAF) reported a 5.5% increase in total sales, reaching $4.9 billion in the second quarter.

  • The company achieved a 9.8% increase in adjusted net earnings, amounting to $226.6 million.

  • Online sales grew by 26% for the quarter, driven by the expansion of click and collect services and third-party marketplaces.

  • Pharmacy division recorded solid same-store sales growth of 7%, with prescription sales up 7.8%.

  • Metro Inc (MTRAF) maintained a strong focus on local and Canadian products, which outpaced total sales growth.

Negative Points

  • Operating expenses were $521.3 million, representing 10.6% of sales, slightly down from 10.7% last year, but still a significant cost factor.

  • Energy costs in Ontario increased due to cold weather, impacting overall expenses.

  • The company faced increased fees related to online partnerships, affecting operating margins.

  • Depreciation and amortization expenses rose by 5.1% due to investments in supply chain and automation technology.

  • The economic environment remains uncertain, with potential impacts from tariffs and counter tariffs on consumer behavior and business operations.

Q & A Highlights

Q: How has consumer behavior changed in response to recent tariffs, and what is Metro's outlook for the rest of the fiscal year? A: Eric La Fleche, President & CEO, stated that consumer behavior has not significantly changed, with a continued focus on value. The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, but as a retailer of essential goods, Metro is well-positioned to continue growing despite volatility.