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( ) has long been considered a stable choice for investors seeking exposure to the consumer staples sector. But with periods of stagnation in the past, you may wonder: Is Loblaw stock a buy now? To answer that, let’s dive into its performance history, growth prospects, and valuation to help you make an informed decision. A history of period gains and setbacks Loblaw’s stock performance has been anything but smooth, with notable periods of stagnation. From 2015 to 2018, the stock saw a modest increase of just $10 per share. During this period, its annualized return was about 6.2%, which, while higher than the long-term inflation rate of 2-3%, was far from being an outperformer. From early 2019 to the end of 2020, the stock barely moved, rising by only $2 per share, resulting in a compound annual growth rate (CAGR) of around 3.7%. This return barely beat inflation and showed limited momentum. However, Loblaw stock experienced a major surge from early 2021 to 2022, climbing by an impressive 91%. This rise was likely driven by high inflation and the resulting consumer demand for essential goods. From mid-April 2022 through mid-December 2023, the stock once again traded sideways, with only a modest 3% annualized return. In the past year, had another leg-up, posting a 52% rise in stock value. So, while the stock tends to experience periods of stagnation, these are often followed by significant growth spurts, making it a potential buy for long-term investors when it stagnates. Strong long-term performance Looking at Loblaw’s performance over the last decade, long-term investors have seen total returns of approximately 335%. This translates into annualized returns of 15.8%, a solid rate of return by most standards, and significantly outperforming the that returned 8.9% annually in the period. A key driver of this success has been the company’s persistent earnings growth. Over the past 10 years, Loblaw has increased its adjusted earnings per share (EPS) by 11.5% per year. Additionally, the stock’s price-to-earnings (P/E) ratio also expanded, contributing to its overall gains. In the beginning, Loblaw traded at a P/E ratio of about 15.6; today, it stands at roughly 22. A defensive, growing business As Canada’s largest grocery retailer, Loblaw remains a cornerstone of the country’s consumer landscape. Its portfolio of brands, including Superstore, T&T, No Frills, Independent, and Shoppers Drug Mart, attracts over 15 million Canadian families each week. The company continues to grow by expanding its store count, with plans to open 50 new stores this year and even more next year. Given its defensive business model — serving essential needs like food and pharmacy — Loblaw stock is a reliable long-term investment. The stability of its operations, combined with steady expansion, positions it well for continued success. The Foolish investor takeaway: Is it a buy now? At its current price of around $190 per share, Loblaw stock is fully valued. For those looking to buy, it’s alright to start building a position. However, if the stock experiences a period of sideways movement again or even dips, that could be an ideal opportunity to add more shares. In conclusion, Loblaw stock is a solid long-term investment with a history of persistent growth and resilience. While it’s not undervalued right now, its defensive business and expansion plans make it a worthy consideration for patient, long-term investors.

Tesla has reported a sharp 40% decline in European sales, a slump that comes amidst controversy surrounding CEO Elon Musk's vocal support for newly re-elected US President Donald Trump. The decline has sparked debates about the interplay of politics and consumer behaviour, as well as broader challenges within the electric vehicle (EV) market. Sales Slump Amid Broader EV Decline In November 2024, Tesla sold 18,786 vehicles across the European Union, a stark drop from the 31,810 units sold during the same month in 2023. The year-to-date figures from January to November also show a 15% decline compared to the previous year. This downturn coincides with an overall 10% drop in EV sales across Europe, with major markets like France and Germany witnessing even steeper declines of 24% and 22%, respectively. Despite these trends, hybrid vehicles have gained ground, with sales rising by 18.5% and overtaking petrol cars in market share. Multiple Factors at Play While some have attributed Tesla's sales woes to backlash over Musk's political stance, analysts argue that other factors are also contributing. Felipe Munoz, an automotive analyst at Jato Dynamics, noted that new EU tariffs of 7% on Chinese-made cars, which include certain Tesla models, have dampened sales. He also highlighted the... William Dove

WASHINGTON (AP) — The United States is expected to announce that it will send $1.25 billion in military assistance to Ukraine, U.S. officials said Friday, as the Biden administration pushes to get as much aid to Kyiv as possible before leaving office on Jan. 20. The large package of aid includes a significant amount of munitions, including for the National Advanced Surface-to-Air Missile Systems and the HAWK air defense system. It also will provide Stinger missiles and 155 mm- and 105 mm artillery rounds, officials said. The officials, who said they expect the announcement to be made on Monday, spoke on condition of anonymity to provide details not yet made public. The new aid comes as Russia has launched a barrage of attacks against Ukraine’s power facilities in recent days, although Ukraine has said it intercepted a significant number of the missiles and drones. Russian and Ukrainian forces are also still in a bitter battle around the Russian border region of Kursk, where Moscow has sent thousands of North Korean troops to help reclaim territory taken by Ukraine. Earlier this month, senior defense officials acknowledged that that the Defense Department may not be able to send all of the remaining $5.6 billion in Pentagon weapons and equipment stocks passed by Congress for Ukraine before President-elect Donald Trump is sworn in. Trump has talked about getting some type of negotiated settlement between Ukraine and Russia, and spoken about his relationship with Russian President Vladimir Putin . Many U.S. and European leaders are concerned that it might result in a poor deal for Ukraine and they worry that he won't provide Ukraine with all the weapons funding approved by Congress. The aid in the new package is in presidential drawdown authority, which allows the Pentagon to take weapons off the shelves and send them quickly to Ukraine. This latest assistance would reduce the remaining amount to about $4.35 billion. Officials have said they hope that an influx of aid will help strengthen Ukraine’s hand, should Zelenskyy decide it’s time to negotiate. One senior defense official said that while the U.S. will continue to provide weapons to Ukraine until Jan. 20, there may well be funds remaining that will be available for the incoming Trump administration to spend. According to the Pentagon, there is also about $1.2 billion remaining in longer-term funding through the Ukraine Security Assistance Initiative, which is used to pay for weapons contracts that would not be delivered for a year or more. Officials have said the administration anticipates releasing all of that money before the end of the calendar year. If the new package is included, the U.S. has provided more than $64 billion in security assistance to Ukraine since Russia invaded in February 2022.