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The current time is tough for almost all the economies in the world due to the outbreak of COVID-19. Its accelerated spread has hampered people’s livelihood to the extent that has challenged the very existence of humanity. COVID-19 effect is visible on all ASX indexes; Even S&P/ASX All Ordinaries Gold fell in between 24 February to 16 March 2020.
Similarly, S&P/ASX 200 Consumer Staples (ASX:XSJ) tumbled by 17% between 13573.036 on February 2020 to 11323.842 points on 12 March 2020. The index price later surged up by 5% to 11910.32 points, as on 9 April 2020.
Interesting Read: Agricultural Stocks on ASX: AAC, RFF and SHV
Is it the right time to invest in agricultural stocks?
Agricultural items falling into essential services continues to operate. However, the modus operandi may have changed from brick and mortar shop to online ordering by the consumers during the COVID-19 crisis inducing lockdown period. The Australian government also came up with "Airfreight support" to aid high value agricultural and fisheries exports.
The eligible products for the support include of dairy products, horticulture - fruits and packaged vegetables, seafood and premium meat. The air fright support will start with the focus on the export destination countries such as China, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore and the UAE.
Hence, there exists opportunity with the informed decision in agricultural stocks by the investors. Also, investors always keep in mind that the present lowest value of shares may not remain the same in future. The Australian agricultural production includes of the following: -
Source: Department of Agriculture, Water and the Environment
Let's now gauge the five agricultural stocks listed on ASX. The stocks picked from the Australian Stock Exchange contains a range of products from the agricultural segment irrespective of their market cap.
GrainCorp Limited (ASX: GNC): GrainCorp is a leading agribusiness worldwide with diversified operations that extend over four continents and thirty countries. The Company manages interlinked businesses in the grains, mail and oils division to produce a wide range of good and services across the food and beverages supply chain.
In the last three months and the five-day period, stock returned (3.91%) and 8.06% respectively. The share price in 2020 fell by 20% from its maximum value of A$ 3.986 on 11 February to lowest A$ 2.9 on 25 March 2020. The price later subsequently increased by 16% from its lowest value to A$3.35 on 9 April 2020.
The stock last traded at $3.45 on 14 April 2020, rising up by 2.985% from its last close and has negative EPS of A$ 0.22. Its 52 weeks high and 52 weeks low stand at A$6.47 and A$2.481, respectively, and has a market cap of A$766.67 million. The total outstanding share of the Company is 228.86 million.
Australian Agricultural Company Limited (ASX: AAC): The companies own and operate feedlots and farms encompassing about 6.4 million hectares of lands in QLD and NT.
In the last three months and the five-day stock returned (-0.45%) and (-4.78%) respectively. The share price in 2020 fell by 23% from its maximum value of A$1.3 on 7 February to lowest A$1 on 16 March 2020. The price later subsequently increased by 9% from its lowest value to A$1.09 on 9 April 2020.
The stock presently traded at A$1.09, slipping by 0.457 percent from the last close, as on 14 April 2020 and has negative EPS of A$ 0.158. Its 52 weeks high and 52 weeks low stand at A$1.33 and A$0.945, respectively, and has a market cap of A$660.03 million. The total outstanding share of the Company is 602.77 million.
Must Read: Glance Over Dairy Stocks: Is there any Opportunity, Left?
Beston Global Food Company Limited (ASX: BFC) Beston is a proud multi award-winning Company in SA. The Company is into the business of dairy, Australian meat and health nutrition products. BFC is 7th largest dairy industry in Australia and stands 1st in Australian based dairy industry excluding MNC.
In the last three months and the five-day stock returned (-14.89%) and (-3.61%) respectively. The share price in 2020 fell by 41% from its maximum value of A$0.098 on 8 January to lowest A$0.058 on 13 March 2020. The price subsequently increased by 38% from its lowest value on 13 March to A$0.08 on 9 April 2020.
The stock last traded at A$0.085, rising up by 6.25% from the previous close, as on 14 April 2020 and has negative EPS of A$ 0.042. Its 52 weeks high and 52 weeks low stand at A$0.14 and A$0.058, respectively, and has a market cap of A$37.69 million. The total outstanding share of the Company is 471.08 million.
Farm Pride Foods Limited (ASX: FRM): Farm Pride is an ASX listed company focused on producing a wide range of egg products.
In the last three months and the five-day stock returned (-33.33%) and (-33.33%) respectively. The share price in 2020 fell by 56% from its maximum value of A$0.36 on 12 January to lowest A$0.16 on 13 March 2020. The price later subsequently increased by 50% from its lowest value on 13 March to A$0.24 on 9 April 2020.
The stock last traded at A$0.25, moving up by 4.167% from its last close, on 14 April and has negative EPS of A$ 0.032. Its 52 weeks high and 52 weeks low stand at A$0.39 and A$0.15, respectively, and has a market cap of A$13.24 million. The total outstanding share of the Company is 55.18 million.
Good Read: A Glance at Four Agricultural Tech stocks –CLI, BGT, ROO, RGI.
Costa Group Holdings Limited (ASX: CGC): CGC is an ASX listed growing packers and marketer of freshly grown fruit and vegetables in the Country. The fruits and vegetables are grown in the Company's farm and even nourishing consumer beyond Australia.
In the last three months and five days stock returned 10.76% and 10.76% respectively. The share price increased till 3 March 2020, reaching the maximum value of A$3.23. Later it fell by 23% to A$2.5 on 23 March 2020. The price subsequently increased by 11% from its lowest value on 23 March to A$2.78 on 9 April 2020.
The stock last traded at A$2.98 climbing up by 7.194% from the last close, on 14 April 2020 and has negative EPS of A$ 0.108. Its 52 weeks high and 52 weeks low stand at A$5.45 and A$2.32, respectively, and has a market cap of A$1.11 billion. The total outstanding share of the Company is 400.83 million.
