Maple Leaf’s value makes it a bargain

Article Excerpt

Maple Leaf Foods has recovered nicely since it fell to $6.54 in October 2008 following a listeriosis outbreak and a massive recall of meat products. Since the recall, the company has been settling lawsuits and investing in new food-safety equipment and procedures. These costs have weighed on its recent earnings. However, Maple Leaf’s long-term outlook is improving, thanks to its focus on more profitable products. It will also gain from subsidiary Canada Bread’s recent cost cuts. We still prefer Maple Leaf to Canada Bread for new buying. MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC. $11 (Toronto symbol MFI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 131.0 million; Market cap: $1.4 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.3; Dividend yield: 1.5%; SI Rating: Average) is Canada’s largest food-processing company. Its products include fresh and prepared meats and poultry, mainly under the Maple Leaf and Schneider brands. Maple Leaf also owns 89.8% of Canada Bread. In the past few years, Maple Leaf has shifted away from fresh meats to processed…