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Business Description: Metcash Limited (MTS) is a wholesale distribution and marketing company specialising in grocery, fresh produce, liquor, hardware and other fast moving consumer goods. MTS has four business units: Metcash Food & Grocery, Australian Liquor Marketers, Mitre 10 and Automotive Brands Group.
Strategy Analysis: Food distribution is the main growth driver, realising solid growth and margin improvement through scale efficiencies. The lack of real competition from Coles has allowed larger format Woolworths to capture significant market share for superior earnings and margins while IGA independent stores, backed by MTS, find favour across smaller catchment areas. MTS will use its balance sheet to fund inventory expansion by easing credit terms for larger stores. The aim is to encourage independent operators to invest more free capital into stores. Improved fit out and customer service boost the shopping experience.
Metcash reported NPAT down 13.1% to $82.0m for the half-year ended 31 October 2012. Revenues from ordinary activities were $6.34bn, up 3.5% from the same period last year. EBITA lifted 1.2% from $203.7m for 1H12 to $206.2m for 1H13. Diluted EPS was 9.75 cents compared to 12.24 cents last year. Net operating cash flow was $144.7m compared to $252.4m last year. The interim dividend declared was 11.5 cents compared with 11.5 cents last year. The company reported that it has revised its full year underlying EPS guidance to -2% to -6%.
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