WINNIPEG, Manitoba, April 08, 2026 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- The North West Company Inc. (the "Company" or "North West") today announces its unaudited financial results for the fourth quarter ended January 31, 2026 and released its 2025 Annual Report and Annual Information Form. The Annual Report includes the Company's Annual Audited Consolidated Financial Statements and Management's Discussion and Analysis for the year ended January 31, 2026. These documents are available on the Company's profile on the SEDAR+ website at www.sedarplus.ca and on the Company's website at www.northwest.ca. It also announced that the Board of Directors has declared a dividend of $0.41 per share to be paid on April 24, 2026 to shareholders of record on April 15, 2026.

CEO Comments on Fourth Quarter Results and Annual Results

"Our results this quarter reflect a challenging operating environment with less money in market in our Canadian Operations and comparing against very strong earnings in the fourth quarter last year but, on the strength of our Next 100 initiatives, we were able to deliver a modest increase in Adjusted EBITDA in the quarter along with solid financial results for the year, with sales and earnings gains, while continuing to advance key operational and strategic priorities that support the long-term strength of our business," said Dan McConnell, President & CEO. "Looking ahead, we remain focused on the disciplined execution of our Next 100 initiatives and driving performance within this increasingly uncertain economic environment, including the impact of significantly higher oil prices and fuel costs, and another quarter of comparing against higher money in market in the first quarter last year."

Fourth Quarter and Annual Results

The following table provides a summary of selected information for the 2025 fourth quarter and annual results. Further information on the fourth quarter and annual financial performance is provided in the 2025 Annual Report available on the Company's website at www.northwest.ca or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

Selected Fourth Quarter(3) and Annual Information

 

Three Months

 

Three Months

 

Twelve Months

 

Twelve Months

 

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

 

Ended

($ in thousands, except per share)

January 31, 2026

January 31, 2025

January 31, 2026

January 31, 2025

Sales

 

$

675,548

 

 

$

674,886

 

 

$

2,598,209

 

 

$

2,576,344

 

Same store sales % increase(2)

 

 

0.5

%

 

 

5.4

%

 

 

0.3

%

 

 

4.4

%

Gross profit

 

$

230,049

 

 

$

234,801

 

 

$

881,091

 

 

$

868,324

 

Selling, operating and administrative expenses

 

 

(172,208

)

 

 

(174,060

)

 

 

(669,055

)

 

 

(658,778

)

EBITDA(1)

 

 

88,548

 

 

 

90,399

 

 

 

332,644

 

 

 

325,165

 

Earnings from operations

 

 

57,841

 

 

 

60,741

 

 

 

212,036

 

 

 

209,546

 

Interest expense

 

 

(4,704

)

 

 

(4,705

)

 

 

(17,457

)

 

 

(18,301

)

Income taxes

 

 

(13,625

)

 

 

(13,230

)

 

 

(48,650

)

 

 

(47,992

)

Net earnings

 

 

39,512

 

 

 

42,806

 

 

 

145,929

 

 

 

143,253

 

Net earnings attributable to shareholders of the Company

 

 

37,483

 

 

 

41,094

 

 

 

139,485

 

 

 

137,296

 

Net earnings per share - basic

 

 

0.79

 

 

 

0.86

 

 

 

2.92

 

 

 

2.87

 

Net earnings per share - diluted

 

 

0.78

 

 

 

0.85