Class-action Settlement Cuts Risk

Article Excerpt

MAPLE LEAF FOODS INC. $10 (Toronto symbol MFI; Conservative Growth Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 107 million; Market cap: $1.1 billion; Price-to-sales ratio: 0.2; SI Rating: Average) has finalized the details of several class-action lawsuits it faces related to an outbreak of listeriosis at its Toronto meat-processing plant in August 2008. Maple Leaf will pay a total of $25 million, and has agreed to contribute an extra $2 million if the $25 million is not enough to settle all of the outstanding claims. To put these figures in context, Maple Leaf earned $16.4 million, or $0.13 a share, before unusual items in the third quarter of 2008. The company has strengthened its food safety inspection procedures at all of its plants, which should help it avoid further outbreaks. Maple Leaf Foods is a buy. buy…