<p>Today Loblaw reported its <b>earnings for Q1</b>, and the company also announced an <b>increase in its quarterly dividend</b>. The company's stock price has shown a significant relative strength, and the company has several <b>new initiatives</b> planned.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The company reported a <b>40% drop in net earnings</b>, $103 million compared to $171 million in the same quarter of 2013. However, <b>gross revenues were actually higher this year</b>. Gross revenue for Q1 <b>increased 9.1%</b> due to its financial services, including credit card receivable balances and increased interest income.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">In an effort to bolster future sales, the grocer is <b>expanding its e-commerce</b> by testing a <b>"click-and-collect"</b> program at three of its Toronto stores. This will enable customers to buy groceries online and then pick up their orders at store locations. <b>An increase in its fresh food offerings</b> and the addition of <b>100 juice bars</b> in Ontario locations are some if its other initiatives.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">The company faced several adversities last quarter, including a decline in the use of generic drugs and a drop in reimbursement rates for generic drugs due to regulatory reforms. Additionally, there has been <b>stiff competition</b> from rivals such as Sobeys, Metro, Wal-Mart, and Target.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">With the <b>stock rising about 3% today</b> after news of the lower earnings, this stock has shown investors good relative strength and its higher gross revenue indicates that the company is still in a very strong position.<hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><a class="btn btn-sm btn-primary col-lg-12" style="white-space: normal;" href="http://www.loblaw.ca/" target="_new" class="btn"> Loblaw</a></p><hr class="legacyRuler"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding"><hr class="invisible minimal-padding">
