The Globe and Mail reports in its Wednesday, Nov. 25, edition that George Weston ($110) earned a profit of $161-million in its latest quarter, up from $53-million in the same quarter a year ago. A Canadian Press dispatch to The Globe reports that the grocery and bakery company says the profit amounted to $1.15 a common share for the 16 weeks ended Oct. 10, up from 30 cents a share in the third quarter last year. Sales totalled $14.4-billion, up from nearly $14-billion. On an adjusted basis, Weston earned $1.66 a share, up from $1.59 a share a year ago. Weston says the increase was due to an improvement at its Loblaw retail business, offset by a decline in performance at its Weston Foods bakery business. Weston also said it saw a drop in interest costs and other financing charges. The Globe reported on June 20 that BMO Nesbitt Burns analyst Peter Sklar had hiked his rating on Weston to "outperform." The shares were then worth $100.72. The Globe's guest columnist Gabriel Lowenberg said on Aug. 18 that the logic of going long Weston was "compelling." The shares were then worth $113.85. The Globe's guest columnist Gordon Pape was bullish on Weston on Sept. 9, when it was worth $110.17.