The Globe and Mail reports in its Thursday, Jan. 25, edition that RBC Dominion Securities analyst Irene Nattel has reaffirmed her "outperform" recommendation for Loblaw. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Ms. Nattel tweaked her share target ahead by $2 to $172. Analysts on average target the shares at $145.13. Ahead of earnings season for Canadian grocers, Ms. Nattel says in a note: "We reiterate our 'stronger for longer' view of the sector and Loblaw as top pick, with the backdrop of high-teens cumulative two-year inflation underpinning cost-conscious consumers' behaviours including: meals at home over meals away; category trade-down; and discount channel penetration; and with the tailwind of 3-per-cent population growth further supporting food retailer tonnage and drug retailer Rx count. We also reiterate our view that Loblaw is best positioned to benefit from the secular shift in purchasing patterns." The Globe reported on Nov. 8, 2022, Nov. 7, 2023, and Nov. 17, 2023, that Ms. Nattel continued to rate Loblaw "outperform." The shares could then be had for $113.74, $120.79 and $122.92.