AGT Food's Recent Stumble Has Created Some Indigestion, But Also An Opportunity As Expectations Reset

I had my concerns with AGT Food and Ingredients (OTCPK:AGXXF) (AGT.TO) back in October due to issues with the valuation and popularity of the stock and management's questionable strategic decisions, but I wasn't really expecting the 30% fall in the shares that has taken place. A lot of issues were pressuring the shares, including concerns about global harvest levels and harvest quality, Indian import actions, and growing impatience with the slow ramp of the Minot business, but the surprisingly weak first quarter results took 20% out of the stock relatively quickly.

Here, with AGT Food, we have a good example of the challenges that come with "buy the dip" advice. Stocks don't pull back 20%-plus relative to their benchmark index because everything is going awesome with the company. The trick, then, is to separate investor panic from real issues that mean investors should avoid a stock.

I am worried that AGT will have a rough year, as although I expect the second half of 2017 to be stronger, there will likely be some follow-on turbulence in the second quarter and maybe into the third. I also still don't really like the expansion of the bulk handling business, and I think there are some valid concerns as to whether the potential of the Minot-based ingredient business hasn't been overestimated by investors and sell-side analysts. All of that said, today's price assumes only mid-single-digit revenue growth and low single-digit FCF margins, and if AGT can ultimately lift margins closer to 5%, a fair value above C$36 is still in play.

Investors should be aware that the Canadian shares of AGT Food offer far greater liquidity and should be relatively easy to buy through most brokerages.

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AGT Food's Recent Stumble Has Created Some Indigestion, But Also An Opportunity As Expectations Reset