The share price of Bellamy's Australia Ltd (ASX: BAL) is certainly finishing the week with a bang despite the S&P/ASX 200 (Index: ^AXJO) (ASX: XJO) being largely flat. It has jumped 6% today despite there being no news out of the growing organic baby food producer.
However, overnight in the United States there was an acquisition of note that could have had some impact on its performance today. According to the Financial Times, French food group Danone has reached a deal to acquire organic food maker WhiteWave for US$10 billion. This deal values WhiteWave at 41x estimated full year earnings.
Whilst I wouldn't personally expect a takeover approach for Bellamy's anytime soon, I feel that some investors may see the deal as justification for paying a premium for its shares. In its half-year results, Bellamy's delivered diluted earnings per share of 13.9 cents.
Considering the strong performance of its peer a2 Milk Company Ltd (Australia) (ASX: A2M) I feel confident that the second half of its year will be strong. If we annualise its half year earnings we would have full year earnings per share of 27.8 cents, which is equal to just under 40x earnings at the current share price.
Whilst 40x estimated full year earnings may seem expensive, when you consider that the company grew its half year net profit after tax by 325% in December I feel it's actually quite reasonable. Especially considering the growth prospects it has thanks to the China market.
There were fears that Chinese regulatory changes were going to hinder Bellamy's, a2 Milk, and Blackmores Limited (ASX: BKL), but these fears were partly quashed by the management teams of each of these companies.
Bellamy released an update on the matter stating that:
"Bellamy's has been successfully operating in China for over six years. Bellamy's has a strong "bricks and mortar" business in China selling the company's GB compliant formula. In addition, our products sold in China via "bricks and mortar" businesses already have labelling in Chinese. We have grown strongly in China also due to the success of our ecommerce strategy. Bellamy's online flagship store on Tmall is one of the top 15 brands for infant formula, and the guidance provided last night by the Ministry of Finance in China reconfirms that it's business as usual for Bellamy's in the ecommerce channel."
So should you invest in this growth machine?
For me the answer is a yes.
As far as I am concerned this is a company with a lot of growth left in it thanks to the insatiable demand for its products from Chinese consumers. An investment at 40x annualised earnings is great value in my opinion given the rocketing growth.
