Eagle-eyed investors would be watching the Graincorp Ltd (ASX: GNC) share price right now.
Shares in the Aussie commodities business have been surging higher in 2021 and the past year more broadly. The Graincorp share price was swapping hands for $6.50 at Wednesday's close of trade.
So, what's helping propel the Aussie grain business' valuation to its current level?
What's driving the Graincorp share price?
Graincorp's core business is in the receipt, storage and management of grain and related commodities. The Aussie company currently boasts a market capitalisation of $1.5 billion and is trading just shy of a 52-week high.
Perhaps the most surprising thing is the company's price to earnings (P/E) ratio. Graincorp's current P/E ratio is 277.8 times earnings — an astonishing valuation.
The Graincorp share price has rocketed 68% higher in the last 12 months on the back of strong profitability and earnings growth. Unlike many other ASX companies, Graincorp reports on a May (half-year) and November (full-year) reporting cycle.
That means we didn't get to see the latest results from the group during the August reporting season just gone. We did, however, get a guidance upgrade from the Aussie company last month.
Looking ahead
Graincorp has upped its FY21 underlying earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation (EBITDA) and net profit after tax (NPAT). The Aussie commodities group was previously expecting underlying EBITDA of $255 million to $285 million with underlying NPAT of $80 million to $105 million.
Underlying EBITDA is now expected to hit $310 million to $330 million with underlying NPAT coming in at $125 million to $140 million.
The significant expected earnings bump saw the Graincorp share price surge higher in August. It comes after strong performance from the company's east coast Australian grains business amid a strong harvest season.
It's good news for shareholders following on from a solid half-year result in May.
The Graincorp share price is now up 51.9% year-to-date and trading just shy of its $6.54 per share 52-week high.
