Pet Valu Holdings (PET-T)

It got very overvalued during the pandemic hype, but this has since normalized. However, systems sales are still growing as they open 40-45 new stores annually. The market remains underserved outside cities. A cap-lite model, generating 22% EBITDA margins, and over 20% ROIC. Strong free cash flow. A great time to buy at 16x PE. Is recession-proof. Likely a takeover candidate.

Liked that pet food is heavy (harder to purchase online and ship), so thought this would provide more protection. Challenging space, especially for a long-term investor like himself.

Canada's largest retailer in the space. Industry growth driven by pet adoption, and higher spending per pet. Really strong 22% EBITDA margins. Healthy free cashflow, reinvested in opening new stores and distribution centres. Consistently beats consensus. 

Same-store sales growth has slowed since pandemic moves. Stock's corrected to 19x earnings, really good buy considering earnings quality and plans for growth. Yield is 1.4%.

Is the leading pet retailer in Canada as pet adoption continues to grow. This business is recession-proof. The valuation had to come in. Organic same-store sales growth has slowed a little, but management has delivered by expanding store count in underserved markets. The PE has fallen from 30x to 15x and now is 17-20x, which is reasonable considering growth potential and cash flow.

It is a good price so he is adding more. It works on a franchise basis, has good management, and it is the only company expanding outside city centres. The only overhang is a big private equity company that owns a controlling position has been peeling off stock. However there is healthy organic growth going forward. Lots of pets were bought during the pandemic and they need food.

Pet Value reported better-than-expected adjusted earnings per share but lower-than-expected same-store sales growth. Adjusted EPS of $0.36 declined 7% year-over-year missing estimates of $0.34. Same-store sales growth came in at 6%, driven by a 4.8% increase in transaction count. Revenue increased 13% year-over-year to $256.4 million, missing estimates slightly of $257.2 million. Adjusted EBITDA rose 4%, while the street called for a 1% decline. Gross margin improved by 1.5% year-over-year to 36.1% vs consensus of 34.6%. Management left the 2023 guidance unchanged at revenue of $1.05 to $1.08 million, same-store sales growth of 7% to 10%, and new store operations of 40-50 stores. The quarter overall was a miss and the guidance came in slightly lower than consensus.
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A fine business with dominant market share. American upstart, Chewy, spooked investors by expanding to Canada, but he isn't worried. His problem is valuation vs. growth rate, so shares are fairly valued now. Long term you will do okay, but it's not exciting for him now.

It missed on expectations last week so the stock is down. It is interesting to note that its emphasis will now be on rural markets. There is more pricing power and less competition in rural areas. Also pet ownership in these areas is high.