Meatless investments set to pay off

Article Excerpt

MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC. $32 (Toronto symbol MFI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 123.5 million; Market cap: $4.0 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.1; Dividend yield: 1.8%; TSINetwork Rating: Average; www.mapleleaffoods.com) sells fresh and prepared meats under the Maple Leaf and Schneider brands. Sales in the three months ended March 31, 2019, rose 11.0%, to $907.1 million from $817.5 million a year earlier. That gain is due to higher prices for its meat products as well as improving demand for its plant-based protein products. Earnings in the quarter, excluding unusual items, fell 31.0%, to $0.20 a share from $0.29. That decline reflects higher spending on new products and facilities. It also includes spending on a new plant in Shelbyville, Indiana, to expand the production of vegetarian products. The facility will cost $310 million U.S.; however, government grants will cover $50 million U.S. of those costs. Maple Leaf Foods is still a hold. hold…