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Heineken N.V.: Market Mispricing or Temporary Setback?

Wesley ParkWednesday, Nov 27, 2024 12:03 am ET
2min read
Heineken N.V. (AMS:HEIA), the renowned brewer and seller of beer and cider, has faced a challenging period in recent months. Its stock price has declined by 17% in the last 52 weeks, despite reporting healthy financials. In 2023, the company's revenue grew by 5.72% to €30.36 billion, while earnings decreased by -14.09% to €2.30 billion. Although these figures indicate a slowdown, they remain solid compared to its competitors. The industry average revenue growth in 2023 was around 3.5%, and earnings growth was approximately 1.5%. Heineken's revenue per employee (€340,689) and profits per employee (€11,700) are significantly higher than the industry averages of €250,000 and €8,000, respectively.

Heineken's valuation appears attractive compared to its peers. Its EV/EBITDA ratio of 10.48 is lower than the industry average of 12.5, and its P/FCF ratio of 12.75 is also lower than the industry average of 14.5. Given its strong financials and stable dividend, the market might be overreacting to Heineken's recent performance.

The company's dividend payout and growth rate have been underwhelming in recent years. Its dividend yield is 2.44%, and the growth rate is -9.90% over the past year. Competitors like AB InBev (BUD) and Diageo (DEO) have maintained or increased their dividends and share prices. However, Heineken's financials remain solid, with a trailing PE ratio of 37.09 and a forward PE ratio of 14.04, indicating that the market may be undervaluing the company.

Heineken N.V.'s stock price volatility, as indicated by its beta of 0.60, is lower than the market average. This suggests a lower risk profile compared to its peers. However, the company faces several concerns and controversies that may be influencing its stock price. Operationally, critics have raised issues such as high-level corruption, suppression of local brewers, and collaborations with authoritarian regimes and rebel factions in Africa. Additionally, the company has faced accusations of antitrust violations and market abuses, such as in a case involving its Greek subsidiary and Macedonian Thrace Brewery. In terms of public relations, Heineken has been criticized for its handling of alcoholic beverages and marketing practices.

Geopolitical tensions and macroeconomic factors, such as the Russia-Ukraine conflict and global economic uncertainty, have significantly impacted Heineken N.V.'s stock price and financial performance. The Russia-Ukraine conflict, in particular, has disrupted supply chains and increased costs, leading to a 24.17% decline in the stock's value between November 2023 and November 2024. Global economic uncertainty has also contributed to this decline.

Despite these challenges, Heineken's earnings are forecast to grow at a CAGR of 25.18% per year, and analysts predict a stock price increase of 34.9%. The company's Snowflake Score of 3.2 out of 6 indicates decent financial health and future growth potential. Therefore, the market's negative sentiment towards Heineken N.V. might be overblown, presenting an opportunity for long-term investors to capitalize on its temporary weakness.


Heineken N.V. logo


Heineken N.V. stock price performance
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