The Freedom Foods (ASX:FNP) share price is frozen. Here's why

The beaten down food company's shares are halted pending further news regarding a capital raising.

| More on:
A man on a phone call points his finger, indicating a halt in trading on the ASX share market.

Image Source: Getty Images

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

Shares in Freedom Foods Group Ltd (ASX: FNP) are in a trading halt as the company prepares to announce news of its capital raise. The battered Freedom Foods share price is paused at 43 cents, which is 2.38% higher than yesterday's close.

Today's pause in trading comes months after news from Freedom Foods that is undergoing what it hopes will be a $265 million recapitalisation to pay off its debts.

The capital raise will consist of subordinated secured convertible notes priced at $1 apiece.

The company hopes the capital raise will include a $200 million leg up from the Perich family, the company's largest shareholder.

To make it up to $265 million, the company will also offer up to $130 million worth of notes to wholesale investors. Priority will be given to the company's existing shareholders.

Let's take a closer look at what the food distributer has been up to lately.

Fresh capital

The question on many investors' lips today is likely to be whether the Perich family will make the offered $200 million investment.

According to the Australian Financial Review, today's trading halt will be followed by news of whether the family's investment vehicle, Arrovest, will fork out the entire sum.

By purchasing $200 million worth of notes, Arrovest could hold an 80% stake in the company by 2024. That's a significant increase from its current 51.5% stake.

Freedom Foods is planning to use between $183 million and $233 million of the raised capital to pay off its debts. The rest will go towards corporate costs and fees from the capital raise.

Freedom Foods returned to trading on the ASX after a 9-month suspension due to significant accounting issues in March 2021.

On their return, Freedom Foods shares fell a whopping 84% to 53 cents each. On the day of its suspension, the Freedom Foods share price was trading at $3.01.

While its share price was in suspension, Freedom Foods faced a number of class actions, which are still ongoing. It also entered into a dispute with one of its suppliers.

Furthermore, the company offloaded its cereal and snacks business to The Arnott's Group for $20 million.

Freedom Foods share price snapshot

Since the Freedom Foods share price resumed trading on the ASX in March, it has plummeted a further 18.87%. It's also down 89.76% over the last 12 months – 9 months of which, it was in suspension.

The company has a market capitalisation of around $116 million, with approximately 277 million shares outstanding.

Motley Fool contributor Brooke Cooper has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia has recommended Freedom Foods Group Limited. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

A young man punches the air in delight as he reacts to great news on his mobile phone.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

A2 Milk shares rocket 18% on guidance upgrade and big dividend news

The infant formula company is finally going to start paying dividends to shareholders.

Read more »

A man in a suit face palms at the downturn happening with shares today.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Why is this ASX 300 stock crashing 15% today?

Let's see how this popular stock is performing so far in FY 2025.

Read more »

Happy couple laughing while shopping in supermarket
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Coles shares: Broker says the 'risk-reward is attractive'

Ord Minnett has good things to say about the supermarket giant following its quarterly update.

Read more »

A man looks a little perplexed as he holds his hand to his head as if thinking about something as he stands in the aisle of a supermarket.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Down 20% this year, can Woolworths shares catch a break?

The headlines continue this week.

Read more »

A man looks sadly away from his computer screen as he holds a slice of pizza in his hand with an open pizza box in front of him on his desk.
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

3 reasons this expert is selling Domino's shares now

Down 48% in 2024, why this investing expert recommends selling Domino’s shares.

Read more »

a car driver sits up and looks alert with wide eyes and an expression of concentration while he holds the wheel of a car.
Share Fallers

Why this ASX All Ordinaries stock just crashed 24%!

Investors are punishing the ASX All Ords company today. Let’s find out why.

Read more »

woman holding man's hand as he falls representing ups and downs of ASX investing
Consumer Staples & Discretionary Shares

Why did this ASX 200 stock just crash 11%?

Investors appear nervous about a $475 million acquisition.

Read more »

Man pointing at a blue rising share price graph.
Earnings Results

Guess which ASX All Ords share is soaring on 21% FY 2024 growth

Investors are piling into the ASX All Ords share today. Let’s find out why.

Read more »