Stock of the Day

July 13, 2020

Brown Forman (BF.A)

$29.34
+$0.21 (+0.7%)
Market Cap: $13.49B

About Brown Forman

Brown-Forman Corporation manufactures, bottles, imports, exports, markets, and sells various alcoholic beverages. It provides spirits, wines, whiskey spirits, whiskey-based flavored liqueurs, ready-to-drink and ready-to-pour products, ready-to-drink cocktails, vodkas, tequilas, champagnes, brandy, bourbons, and liqueurs. The company offers its products primarily under the Jack Daniel's, Woodford Reserve, Canadian Mist, GlenDronach, BenRiach, Glenglassaugh, Old Forester, Early Times, Slane Irish Whiskey, Coopers' Craft, el Jimador, Herradura, New Mix, Pepe Lopez, Antiguo, Finlandia, Korbel Champagne, and Sonoma-Cutrer brands. It is also involved in the sale of used barrels, bulk whiskey, and wine; and provision of contract bottling services. The company serves retail customers and consumers through distributors or state governments; and retailers, wholesalers, and provincial governments directly. It has operations in the United States, the United Kingdom, Germany, Australia, Mexico, and internationally. Brown-Forman Corporation was founded in 1870 and is headquartered in Louisville, Kentucky.

Brown Forman Bull Case

Here are some ways that investors could benefit from investing in Brown-Forman Co.:

  • Brown-Forman Co. offers a dividend yield of 3.49%, which is a significant income stream for investors compared to the broader market, providing a steady return on investment while holding the stock.
  • The company's stock has a beta of 0.31, indicating that it is less volatile than the overall market, which can help reduce portfolio risk for investors seeking stability during market fluctuations.
  • Brown-Forman Co. reported a net margin of 18.42% and a return on equity of 17.80% in its most recent quarter, demonstrating strong profitability and efficient use of shareholder capital.
  • The stock is currently trading at $27.06, which is below its 52-week high of $31.14, potentially offering a buying opportunity for investors who believe the company will recover to previous valuation levels.
  • Recent news indicates that tariff relief has boosted the outlook for whiskey, a core product for Brown-Forman Co., which could lead to improved sales and margins in the coming quarters.

Brown Forman Bear Case

Investors should be bearish about investing in Brown-Forman Co. for these reasons:

  • Brown-Forman Co. recently broke below its 200-day moving average, a technical indicator that often signals a shift from an uptrend to a downtrend, suggesting potential further price declines.
  • The company has warned that first-quarter margins may be the year's high point, indicating that profitability could face pressure in subsequent quarters due to various operational or market challenges.
  • Brown-Forman Co. is facing a slowdown in tequila sales, a key product category, which has contributed to a slip in quarterly sales and could continue to weigh on revenue growth.
  • The global luxury market has seen a significant decline in shoppers, and Brown-Forman Co. is in the blast radius of this trend, which could impact demand for its premium spirits and other high-end products.
  • The company is planning to offer $500 million in debt, which could increase its financial leverage and interest expenses, potentially affecting its cash flow and financial flexibility.

Recent News