Short seller questions Oatly outlook

Article Excerpt

OATLY GROUP AB (ADSs), $15 is still a hold. This Swedish company (Nasdaq symbol OTLY; Consumer sector; ADSs outstanding: 591.8 million; Market cap: $8.9 billion; No dividend paid; Takeover Target Rating: Lowest; www.oatly.com) is the world’s largest producer of oat milk. It also produces frozen desserts and oatgurt, a non-dairy form of yogurt. On May 20, 2021, the company sold 84.4 million American Depositary Shares at $17 each for a total of $1.4 billion; each ADS is equal to one common share. The stock got as high as $29 in the wake of the IPO, but has dropped back to its current level after investment firm Spruce Point Capital accused the company of overstating revenues and margins. It also feels that Oatly faces several challenges, including low barriers to entry for bigger competitors like Danone and Nestle, higher input and transportation costs, and wastewater concerns at its production facilities. Spruce Point is a short seller, so it stands to gain from a fall…