Why the Asaleo Care (ASX:AHY) share price is up 5% today

The Asaleo Care (ASX: AHY) share price is 4.9% higher in late morning trade. We look at the company's full-year results to see why.

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Asaleo Care Ltd (ASX: AHY) share price is gaining today, up 4.9% at $1.43 at the time of writing. This follows the release of Asaleo's full-year financial results for FY20.

A happy businessman pointing up, inidicating a rise in share price

Image source: Getty Images

What did Asaleo Care report?

The personal hygiene products producer and distributor reported a 2.3% increase in revenues from 2019, to $419.2 million. Asaleo Care said its retail segments and B2B incontinence healthcare collectively increased by 6.7%.

The company reported underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) of $87.2 million, having earlier given an EBITDA guidance in the range of $84-87 million. Underlying EBITDA from its continuing business was $89.2 million, up 6.3%.

Statutory net profit after tax (NPAT) increased by 46.2% to $32.3 million. And the company reported it continues to reduce its net debt, down to $94.9 million from $139.2 million in the 2019 financial year.

Asaleo Care will pay a dividend of 3 cents per share (cps), fully franked, with a payment date of 31 March. Investors who want in on the dividend need to own shares by 16 March.

The company revealed it had not received any COVID-19 related government assistance.

Words from the management

Commenting on the results, Asaleo Care CEO Sid Takla said:

Despite the persistent challenges of 2020, we delivered full year earnings ahead of guidance, revenue growth across both Retail and B2B segments, and delivered market share gains across key retail categories. Our focus remains on executing against our strategic plan, sustaining investment in our brands, driving innovation, and creating efficiencies across our business.

We have entered FY21 with a strong balance sheet and the lowest level of debt since listing, which affords us the capacity to fund ongoing dividends and the flexibility to explore future acquisition opportunities. Asaleo Care is now firmly on a path towards sustainable earnings growth, with longer-term favourable tailwinds supporting our categories…

Takla pointed to an increasing focus on quality aged care, better hygiene awareness, and growing demand for locally produced products to support the company's growth ambitions.

Looking ahead, Asaleo Care is targeting 5-7% revenue growth and EBITDA of $90-93 million for the 2021 financial year.

Asaleo Care share price snapshot

Asaleo Care's share price hit a 52-week high on Monday after the company confirmed it was in discussions with Essity Aktiebolag to acquire the outstanding ordinary shares in Asaleo.

The company's shares are up 31% over the past 12 months, compared to a 1% loss on the All Ordinaries Index (ASX: XAO). Year-to-date, the Asaleo Care share price is 5.15% higher.

Motley Fool contributor Bernd Struben has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Market News

A man holding a cup of coffee puts his thumb up and smiles while at laptop.
Broker Notes

Top brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy next week

Brokers gave buy ratings to these ASX shares last week. Why are they bullish?

Read more »

A man in his 30s with a clipped beard sits at his laptop on a desk with one finger to the side of his face and his chin resting on his thumb as he looks concerned while staring at his computer screen.
Broker Notes

Buy, hold, sell: Life360, Northern Star, and Sigma shares

Are these popular shares buys? Here's how analysts rate them.

Read more »

Business man marking buy on board and underlining it.
Broker Notes

6 ASX All Ords shares elevated to strong buy status after March sell-off

The ASX All Ords fell 8% in March after the US and Israel attacked Iran and oil and gas prices…

Read more »

Red buy button on an Apple keyboard with a finger on it.
Broker Notes

Brokers name 3 ASX shares to buy right now

Here's why brokers are feeling bullish about these three shares this week.

Read more »

Frustrated stock trader screaming while looking at mobile phone, symbolising a falling share price.
Share Market News

Why Beetaloo, Fortescue, Orora, and Whitehaven Coal shares are dropping today

These shares are ending the week in the red. But why?

Read more »

Man in a business suit leaps off a boulder in front of a blue sky.
Share Gainers

3 ASX 200 stocks surging 13% to 36% in this shortened trading week

Investors sent these three ASX 200 stocks flying higher following the Easter break. But why?

Read more »

Three happy office workers cheer as they read about good financial news on a laptop.
Share Gainers

Why Amaero, Mesoblast, Telix, and Tivan shares are charging higher today

These shares are ending the week on a high. But why?

Read more »

A young couple stands next to a real estate agent in an empty apartment they are inspecting.
Real Estate Shares

Mirvac shares sink to their lowest level since 2015. Is this ASX property giant back on the radar?

Multi-year lows put Mirvac shares back on investors’ watchlists today.

Read more »