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Booker still growing ahead of Tesco tie-up

The wholesaler has posted some impressive figures ahead of its impending merger with the UK's largest supermarket chain
May 19, 2017

These full-year results from Booker (BOK) are likely to be overshadowed by the wholesaler's upcoming merger with the UK's largest supermarket chain, Tesco (TSCO). That's a shame, because these numbers were good. Sales rose 6.7 per cent compared with the previous year, or 0.5 per cent on a like-for-like basis.

IC TIP: Hold at 200p

The underlying operating margin increased by 19 basis points to 3.3 per cent, which trickled through into a 14 per cent improvement in operating profits. Internet-based sales are also growing, up 10 per cent to top £1bn. All in all, this has allowed for another special dividend, this time worth 3.02p a share.

Subject to shareholder approval and regulatory hoop-jumping, the merger is due to complete in late 2017/early 2018. Chief executive Charles Wilson said the deal should deliver "significant benefits" not just for Booker customers and consumers, but shareholders too. But because of takeover conditions, the group said it could not make forward-looking statements beyond confirming that sales for the first seven weeks of the financial year are ahead of the prior comparable period.

Analysts at Peel Hunt expect pre-tax profits of £193m for the year ending March 2018, giving 8.9p, up from £174m in FY2017.

BOOKER (BOK)

ORD PRICE:199.7pMARKET VALUE:£3.56bn
TOUCH:199.5-199.7p12-MONTH HIGH:219pLOW: 159p
DIVIDEND YIELD:2.8%**PE RATIO:23
NET ASSET VALUE:34p*NET CASH:£161m

Year to 24 MarTurnover (£bn)Pre-tax profit (£m)Earnings per share (p)Dividend per share (p)
20133.99924.52.6
20144.681226.13.2
20154.751396.73.7
20164.991517.24.6
20175.331748.75.6
% change+7+15+20+22

Ex-div: 8 Jun

Payment: 7 Jul

*Includes intangible assets of £466m, or 13p a share

**Excludes special dividend worth 3.02p a share, payable on same dates