The Globe and Mail reports in its Friday, Feb. 27, edition that National Bank Financial analyst Vishal Shreedhar has reaffirmed his "outperform" recommendation for Loblaw. The Globe's David Leeder writes in the Eye On Equities column that Mr. Shreedhar raised his share target by a loonie to $67. Analysts on average target the shares at $71. Mr. Shreedhar says in a note: "Excluding PC Financial and the 53rd week, in 2026, Loblaw expects retail earnings to grow faster than sales, EPS growth in the high-single digits (National Bank estimate is 10 per cent) and gross capex of $2.4-billion (NBCM is $2.4-billion). We believe guidance is slightly conservative; Loblaw has exceeded its initial guidance in recent years. 2026 gross margin rate is expected to be flat to slightly favourable (Shoppers shrink improvement), and SG&A rate is to be flat. [Food Retail] sssg improved through Q4/25 and momentum continued into Q1/26 (NBCM models 2 per cent). An offset is slower Q1/26 DR [Drug Retail] sssg (cough/cold season pulled forward to Q4/25). We believe slowing sales growth (5.2 per cent in Q2/25, 4.6 per cent in Q3/25 and 3.5 per cent in Q4/25 excl. extra week) is partly weighing on investor sentiment."