The Huon Aquaculture Group Ltd (ASX: HUO) share price is on the rise today after the company released a market update this morning.
At the time of writing, the salmon farmer's shares are up 7.43% to $2.89.
Prior to today's announcement, the market hadn't heard from Huon since its February half-year results, which saw Huon shares tumble 15% to $2.63 on the day of the results being released.
Let's take a closer look at today's announcement.
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Huon responds to unsolicited takeover offers
Within Huon's half-year results, the company revealed that it had "[attracted] interest from potential strategic partners and investors over a sustained period".
The board announced a strategic review to assess such corporate level transactions and offers for the benefit of its shareholders.
In today's announcement, Huon revealed that it is currently "facilitating due diligence by select interested parties in order to explore whether a transaction could be consummated for the benefit of shareholders".
While the company is certainly exploring its options, it also advised that there is no certainty that a binding transaction might eventuate.
Upbeat outlook for salmon market
Pleasingly, Huon advised that it had experienced a recent steady increase in demand from the domestic wholesale market.
The improved market conditions were driven by the reopening of hospitality and food service businesses, and the general easing of COVID-related lockdowns in Australia.
The company said that pricing and volumes in the wholesale/food service market had recovered to pre-COVID levels.
It also highlighted that exports markets (before freight costs) were generally back to pre-COVID levels.
Huon believes it is currently trading in line with its previous guidance, and expects a harvest of around 35,000 tonnes for FY21. The company reaffirmed its previous FY21 earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation, and amortisation (EBITDA) guidance of $15 million to $20 million.
Huon share price jumps 16% this week
Things were getting pretty dire for Huon shares, hitting an all-time record low of $2.25 on 16 June. This represents a 50% dive from its February 2020 pre-COVID price of about $4.50.
The Huon share price has made a strong bounce off lows, potentially influenced by a significant new shareholder last week.
Today's market update has provided another boost of confidence for Huon shares, rallying 7.81% to a 5-month high of $2.90 in intraday trade.
