Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSE:MFI) Receives Average Recommendation of "Buy" from Brokerages

Maple Leaf Foods Inc. (TSE:MFI - Get Free Report) has been assigned an average rating of "Buy" from the six analysts that are covering the firm, MarketBeat Ratings reports. Six equities research analysts have rated the stock with a buy rating. The average 1-year price objective among analysts that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is C$30.36.

A number of research firms have recently issued reports on MFI. National Bankshares cut their target price on shares of Maple Leaf Foods from C$29.00 to C$28.00 in a research note on Friday, August 9th. TD Securities reduced their target price on Maple Leaf Foods from C$36.00 to C$35.00 in a report on Friday, August 9th. Finally, CIBC dropped their target price on Maple Leaf Foods from C$31.00 to C$30.00 in a research report on Friday, August 9th.

Insider Activity

In other Maple Leaf Foods news, Senior Officer Iain William Stewart sold 5,000 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$22.90, for a total transaction of C$114,500.00. In related news, Senior Officer Jonathan David Sawatzky sold 2,600 shares of the business's stock in a transaction on Tuesday, September 10th. The shares were sold at an average price of C$21.23, for a total transaction of C$55,198.00. Also, Senior Officer Iain William Stewart sold 5,000 shares of the stock in a transaction dated Monday, August 12th. The stock was sold at an average price of C$22.90, for a total transaction of C$114,500.00. Insiders own 39.87% of the company's stock.

Maple Leaf Foods Price Performance

MFI traded up C$0.10 on Wednesday, reaching C$21.35. The company had a trading volume of 179,363 shares, compared to its average volume of 167,245. Maple Leaf Foods has a one year low of C$21.06 and a one year high of C$28.08. The company has a market capitalization of C$2.63 billion, a P/E ratio of 236.11, a PEG ratio of 18.07 and a beta of 0.47. The company has a fifty day moving average of C$22.21 and a 200-day moving average of C$23.13. The company has a current ratio of 1.32, a quick ratio of 0.54 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 132.03.

Maple Leaf Foods (TSE:MFI - Get Free Report) last released its earnings results on Thursday, August 8th. The company reported C$0.18 earnings per share (EPS) for the quarter, topping analysts' consensus estimates of C$0.17 by C$0.01. Maple Leaf Foods had a net margin of 0.24% and a return on equity of 0.75%. The company had revenue of C$1.26 billion during the quarter, compared to the consensus estimate of C$1.27 billion. As a group, equities research analysts anticipate that Maple Leaf Foods will post 1.4334187 earnings per share for the current year.

Maple Leaf Foods Dividend Announcement

The company also recently declared a quarterly dividend, which was paid on Friday, September 27th. Shareholders of record on Friday, September 27th were paid a dividend of $0.22 per share. The ex-dividend date was Friday, September 6th. This represents a $0.88 annualized dividend and a yield of 4.12%. Maple Leaf Foods's dividend payout ratio is presently 977.78%.

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.