The Costa Group (ASX:CGC) share price is down 22%. Could it be a buy?

Shares in fruit and vegetable company Costa have been smashed today. We look at what that could mean for investors

| More on:

Image source: Getty Images

You’re reading a free article with opinions that may differ from The Motley Fool’s Premium Investing Services. Become a Motley Fool member today to get instant access to our top analyst recommendations, in-depth research, investing resources, and more. Learn More

The Costa Group Holdings Ltd (ASX: CGC) share price is leading the S&P/ASX 200 Index (ASX: XJO) in losses on the market today.

The Costa share price is down 22.07% at the time of writing to $3.46 a share. That comes after Costa shares closed at $4.46 each yesterday, and opened at $3.74 a share this morning.

The Costa Group share price has been on something of a wild ride over the past 5 years.

Shares in the fruit and vegetable company last peaked in mid-2018, when the price got up to a high of more than $8 a share.

Deteriorating growing conditions and supply issues then battered the company, and by December 2019, Costa was down to just $2.44 a share.

In the year-and-a-half since, Costa had been on something of a recovery.

The company rose close to 100% by the middle of April this year, and topped out at $4.89 a share on 16 April. After today's move, shares are down close to 30% from those highs.

So what's going on today?

As we discussed this morning, Costa's slide seems to have been in response to the company's annual general meeting.

The highlights (or in this case, lowlights) were released to the markets this morning before open.

Costa told investors its guidance for 2021 would need to be revised.

While berry and avocado sales have reportedly been solid, the company warned its domestic mushroom, citrus and tomato productions were all experiencing issues.

Even so, Costa expects its 2021 first-half performance to be slightly ahead of the same period in 2020. Still, the markets were evidently expecting a bit more, and have seemingly punished Costa as a result.

Are Costa shares a buy today after the dip?

A share price fall of this magnitude might have some investors wondering if this is a buy-the-dip kind of opportunity today.

Well, one broker who agrees is investment bank Goldman Sachs. According to CommSec, Goldman has reiterated a 'buy' rating on Costa after today's announcement, with a 12-month price target of $5.35 a share.

Goldman thinks Costa will manage to improve its domestic production in the second half of the year, which will supplement strong international markets.

That target would imply a share price upside of roughly 54% on today's Costa share price.

Motley Fool contributor Sebastian Bowen has no position in any of the stocks mentioned. The Motley Fool Australia owns shares of and has recommended COSTA GRP FPO. The Motley Fool has a disclosure policy. This article contains general investment advice only (under AFSL 400691). Authorised by Bruce Jackson.

More on Share Fallers

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why COG, Karoon Energy, Netwealth, and Pilbara Minerals shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are ending the week deep in the red. But why?

Read more »

A woman with a sad face looks to be receiving bad news on her phone as she holds it in her hands and looks down at it.
Share Fallers

Why Evolution Mining, Karoon Energy, ResMed, and Sayona Mining shares are dropping today

These ASX shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »

A young woman wearing a blue and white striped t-shirt blows air from her cheeks and looks up and to the side in a sign of disappointment after the ASX shares she owns went down today
Share Fallers

Why Australian Strategic Materials, Boral, Dubber, and Macquarie Technology are falling today

These shares are having a tough hump day. But why?

Read more »

a sad gambler slumps at a casino table with hands on head and a large pile of casino chips in the foreground.
Share Fallers

'Catastrophic' risk: Why Star shares have lost 25% in 4 days

The outcome of this inquiry could determine whether Star Entertainment hits Blackjack or bust.

Read more »

A male investor erupts into a tantrum and holds his laptop above his head as though he is ready to smash it, as paper flies around him, as he expresses annoyance over so many new 52-week lows in the ASX 200 today
Share Fallers

Why Domino's, Macmahon, Star, and Zip shares are sinking today

These ASX shares are falling more than most today.

Read more »

A young woman holds an open book over her head with a round mouthed expression as if to say oops as she looks at her computer screen in a home office setting with a plant on the desk and shelves of books in the background.
Share Fallers

Why Avita Medical, NextDC, Predictive Discovery, and Star shares are tumbling today

These shares are starting the week in the red.

Read more »

A male investor wearing a blue shirt looks off to the side with a miffed look on his face as the share price declines.
Share Fallers

Why Avita Medical, Cettire, Domino's Pizza, and Star shares are falling today

These ASX shares are having a tough end to the week. But why?

Read more »

Three guys in shirts and ties give the thumbs down.
Share Fallers

Why Avita Medical, Netwealth, Peninsula Energy, and Zip shares are sinking today

These ASX shares are having a tough session. But why?

Read more »