McRae Reports Lackluster Q2, Sterihealth Gets Takeover Offer

Sterihealth at Buyout
Buyout Price	AU $ 1.75
Market Cap	AU $ 34.20 M ($ 31 M USD)
P/E TTM	8.9 x
Div yield	4.0 %
LT Debt/TBV	3.96
EV/EBITDA	5.35

McRea Industries reported Q2 revenue was up 3% but income was down 20% yoy. However Q1 was a great quarter. So H1 revenue was still up 14% and income was up 20% yoy. Profit margin was still a decent 8% in H1.

The company blamed the worse Q2 numbers primarily on 1) higher consumer sales in Q1 offsetting the Q2 consumer sales and 2) lower margins due to higher import shipping costs and consumers shifting away from premium boots, among other factors.

The stock went as high as $36 before the earnings report. Now it is $31 due to the lackluster Q2 results. I believe the Q2 numbers are more likely the norm than the exception. McRae has had a great recent run of improving sales and earnings. It's time for them to stop growing and maybe even fall back a bit. The boot business is not high tech. One reason I first bought the stock was the balance sheet. The company has no debt. With returns on equity around 15%, the company is simply growing book by 15%. The price to book ratio is currently at about 1.25. I am hoping the stock goes back to the $36 level before I contemplate selling.

In other news, the Steriheath board has accepted a $1.75 AU per share buyout offer from Dan Daniels. Dan Daniels currently owns almost 50% of the shares. After buying the stock three months ago at $1.30, I'll gladly take my money and run!