On Friday, stock buyers were "scooping up the previously
languishing shares" of John Labatt Ltd. and Molson Cos. on the
Toronto Stock Exchange. Both stocks have been trading near 52-
week lows recently, so analysts "believe investors might be
buying up the depressed stock and betting on improved future
earnings by the companies." Some analysts also said the
potential for a solution to the NHL lockout "might also" have
been a factor. Labatt owns Canada's cable sports channel, TSN,
which carries NHL games (Stephen Northfield, Montreal GAZETTE,
1/7). Labatt is holding a taste test in Canadian provinces for
its new Labatt Copper beer. Consumers will taste Labatt X & Y
and vote their preference. The winner will be announced during
the Super Bowl (Toronto GLOBE & MAIL, 1/6).
HERE COME THE CLYDESDALES: Anheuser-Busch announced that
Budweiser sold more than one million U.S. barrels in Canada last
year, the first time any U.S. brand has hit the one million mark.
With more than 6% of the Canadian market, Budweiser is the 3rd-
largest selling beer in Canada, behind Labatt Blue and Molson
Canadian (TORONTO STAR, 1/7).
