Stock price when the opinion was issued
This has been a core holding for his fund since inception. They have a very nice tendency to not only pay a regular dividend, but in years when they don’t make growth acquisitions, they typically also make a very nice special dividend at year-end. They made a nice growth acquisition this year. With their relationship with Pernod, they have very nice distributorship to the US and the UK.
He doesn’t know the seasonality on this, but the technicals show that it has been in an upward trend for quite a period of time. During the last little while, it has been in a trading range between around $19 and $22. It is not unusual for a lot of stocks in the consumer staples sector to have this kind of a pattern. You want to be a buyer of the stock on any kind of weakness close to support, which in this case is around $20. This is for the possibility of a break out above the $22 level. The stock is in an upward trend which is positive. Stick with the stock as long as it stays in an upward trend.
Wine is the fastest growing segment in the industry. The French dictate where this company is going. He is skeptical about the new products they are trying to launch into the US. The spirit sector is very tough and there is great competition. Doesn’t see upside from here.