Our opinion on the current state of LIBSTAR(LBR)Libstar (LBR) is a recently listed decentralised food and beverage company producing "consumer packaged goods." It raised R3 billion in an initial public offer (IPO) in May 2018. It owns the Denny brand, a leading mushroom supplier, and Lancewood, known for its dairy products, among other food brands. Altogether, it makes over 9000 products and has launched 88 new products in the past six months. The company produces private label brands for retailers like Spar, Woolworths, Pick 'n Pay, and Shoprite. A centralised head office supports and invests further in autonomous production units by supplying capital and expertise and making acquisitions.
The company has spent R60 million on coping with COVID-19. Consumer spending is under pressure because of load-shedding, civil unrest, retrenchments, high unemployment, the residue of COVID-19, and now developments in central Europe. This company is entirely dependent on consumer spending.
In its results for the year to 31st December 2023, the company reported revenue up 5,2% and normalised headline earnings per share (HEPS) down 11,2%. The company said, "Selling price inflation and mix changes contributed 10.0% to sales growth. Sales volume declined by 4.8% as the Group experienced a decline in its retail, industrial and export channels. Group net finance costs on interest-bearing debt (excluding IFRS 16 lease liabilities), increased by 53.3% from R109.8 million to R168.3 million, mainly due to the full period impact of the increase in the Johannesburg interbank average lending rate (JIBAR) compared to the prior period."
In a voluntary trading update on 19th June 2024, the company reported revenue up 4,6%. The company said, "Revenue growth was driven by price and mix changes of 6.3%, against a volume decline of 1.7%. Perishable Products category revenue increased by 4.4%, with selling price inflation and mix changes contributing 7.7% to sales growth. Sales volume declined by 3.3% driven mainly by lower beef volumes in the food service channel."
Libstar trades on a multiple of 8,2 and a dividend yield (DY) of 3,07%. Technically, the share has been in a downward trend for some time. We suggest waiting for a clear break above the long-term downward trendline.
