MHP reports expectedly strong 3Q results

Ukraine’s leading poultry producer MHP (MHPC LI) reported its 9M12 results, with sales growing 19% yoy to USD 1.04 bln at nearly flat chicken output (+1% yoy), mostly the result of an increase in poultry selling prices (+20% yoy). This allowed the company’s 9M12 EBITDA to improve 26% yoy to USD 379 mln and net income to advance 1.4x yoy to USD 281 mln. The company’s 3Q12 revenue advanced 10% yoy, while the growth was caused mainly by a 1.8x yoy jump in crop sales. Chicken sales remained flat yoy despite 10% yoy price growth in 3Q12, EBITDA grew just 4% yoy and net income declined 3% yoy to USD 111 mln for a one-off reason.

Alexander Paraschiy: The company’s financials proved that our USD 450 mln EBITDA forecast for the full year looks conservative. This year, MHP is set to show record-high profitability from good chicken pricing and farming results. We maintain our positive view on MHP stock despite our expectation that next year will be more challenging, with the activation of MHP’s new Vinnytsia factory likely to put pressure on poultry prices in Ukraine.