Shares in Premier Foods (LSE: PFD) rose by almost 10% in early trading this morning, after the maker of Mr Kipling cakes and Ambrosia custard issued an upbeat fourth-quarter trading statement.
Premier said that its products had achieved their highest quarterly market share for four years, and that itexpected to report full-year results in-line with expectations. That means adjusted earnings per share of 8.6p, putting Premier shares on a potential bargain P/E of just 4.5.
The good news
Theres no doubt that todays announcement contained some welcome good news, which suggests chief executive Gavin Darbys turnaround plan may be working.
Firstly, full-year profits will hit expectations. Accurate guidance is necessary to support any potential re-rating of Premier shares.
Secondly, sales didnt fall as much in the fourth quarter as they did in previous quarters. Total sales fell by 5.3% across the whole of last year, but only by 4.6% during the final quarter.
Encouragingly, Premiers marketing efforts may be working. Two of the firms key brands, Mr Kipling and Bisto, both managed to increase market shares and total sales during the fourth quarter.
The bad news
Premier reported today that net debt fell from 830m to 567m last year. This is good news, but its worth noting why this has happened. Premier raised 340m from a placing and rights issue during the first half of this year, virtually all of which was used to repay debt.
This meant that net debt fell from 830.8m to 571.9m during the first half of the year, but has hardly budged during the second half. Premiers business is not yet generating anything like enough cash flow to repay its debts.
This massive debt load is costing Premier dearly. Net interest payments last year were 53.9m, nearly half the firms underlying trading profit of 131m.
Buy or sell?
For me, Premiers debt is a millstone around the firms neck that will prevent any realistic prospect of dividends for the foreseeable future. The firm will face continued price pressure from its supermarket customers, and continual pressure on cash flow due to the cost of servicing its debt.
Premier deserves a low P/E rating because the firm is effectively under the control of its lenders. Until this starts to change, I cant see any reason to invest in this firm.
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Roland Head has no position in any shares mentioned. The Motley Fool UK has no position in any of the shares mentioned. We Fools don’t all hold the same opinions, but we all believe that considering a diverse range of insights makes us better investors.