Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSE:MFI) Given Consensus Rating of "Buy" by Brokerages

Shares of Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSE:MFI - Get Free Report) have received a consensus recommendation of "Buy" from the seven analysts that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat reports. Seven research analysts have rated the stock with a buy recommendation. The average 1-year price target among brokerages that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is C$30.19.

A number of research analysts have recently weighed in on MFI shares. National Bankshares lowered their price target on Maple Leaf Foods from C$28.00 to C$26.00 in a report on Thursday, November 14th. TD Securities lowered their price target on Maple Leaf Foods from C$35.00 to C$34.00 and set a "buy" rating on the stock in a report on Thursday, November 14th. Finally, Canaccord Genuity Group lifted their price target on Maple Leaf Foods from C$30.00 to C$32.00 and gave the company a "buy" rating in a report on Monday.

Maple Leaf Foods Price Performance

Shares of MFI traded down C$0.18 during midday trading on Monday, reaching C$21.63. The stock had a trading volume of 243,012 shares, compared to its average volume of 216,596. Maple Leaf Foods has a 52 week low of C$19.61 and a 52 week high of C$27.55. The company has a quick ratio of 0.54, a current ratio of 1.32 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 132.03. The firm has a 50 day moving average of C$21.72. The firm has a market cap of C$2.66 billion, a P/E ratio of 240.33, a P/E/G ratio of 18.07 and a beta of 0.47.

Maple Leaf Foods Announces Dividend

The company also recently disclosed a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Tuesday, December 31st. Shareholders of record on Tuesday, December 31st were issued a dividend of $0.22 per share. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.07%. The ex-dividend date of this dividend was Friday, December 6th. Maple Leaf Foods's dividend payout ratio is 977.78%.

Insiders Place Their Bets

In other news, Director Linda Mantia acquired 4,498 shares of the stock in a transaction that occurred on Friday, November 15th. The stock was acquired at an average price of C$22.23 per share, for a total transaction of C$99,990.54. Company insiders own 39.87% of the company's stock.

About Maple Leaf Foods

Maple Leaf Foods Inc produces food products in the United States, Canada, Japan, China, and internationally. The company operates through Meat Protein Group and Plant Protein Group segments. It produces various food products, including prepared meats, ready-to-cook and ready-to-serve meals, fresh pork and poultry, and plant protein products; bacon, hams, wieners, and meat snacks; a variety of delicatessen products; and processed chicken products, such as fully cooked chicken breasts and wings, processed turkey products, specialty sausages, cooked meats, sliced meats, cooked sausage products, lunch kits, and canned meats.