Maple Leaf plans a breakup

Article Excerpt

MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC. $25 is a hold. The company (Toronto symbol MFI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 122.8 million; Market cap: $3.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.6; Dividend yield: 3.5%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.mapleleaffoods.com) plans to spin off its pork processing business as a separate firm. It raises and processes hogs and accounts for 32% of Maple Leaf’s total sales. The remaining operations (68%) will focus on packaged meats and plant-based foods. After the spinoff, the new pork company will continue to supply meat to its former parent. Maple Leaf plans to set up the transaction as a return of capital to its shareholders. As a result, investors will be liable for capital gains taxes on their new shares. The parent will also retain a 19.9% stake in the new pork firm. Assuming shareholders and regulators approve, the company expects to complete the transaction in 2025. Spinoffs tend to work out well, as investors prefer “pure-play” firms that they can more easily evaluate and…