This winemaker has long-term appeal

Article Excerpt

Andrew Peller shares have dropped over 20% since May 2021 on concerns that new COVID-19 variants could lead to more lockdowns for restaurants and bars. Higher prices for packaging, labour and transportation are also hurting its profit margins. However, we feel the stock will rebound as sales return to pre-pandemic levels. The company’s recent dividend increases also inspire our confidence. ANDREW PELLER LTD. (A shares) is still a buy. The company (Toronto symbols ADW.A $8.65 and ADW.B $11; Income Portfolio, Consumer sector; Shares outstanding: 43.7 million; Market cap: $395.5 million; Price-to-sales ratio: 1.0; Dividend yield: 2.8%; www.andrewpeller.com) is Canada’s second-largest wine producer with 8.8% of the wine market in English Canada. Arterra Wines is the biggest producer with 12.0% of the market. Peller’s wineries are in Ontario (Niagara), British Columbia (Okanagan and Similkameen Valleys) and Nova Scotia. It also produces other premium-priced beverages, including whisky, beer and cider. Since 1995, the company has made 18 acquisitions. Its latest purchase was The…