We are initiating coverage on global grain processors ADM (OW, $52 price target) and BG (OW, $55 price target). In our
view, both companies are well positioned to benefit from growing demand for agricultural goods, which need to be processed
and transported from their origins (mainly North and South America) to consumers worldwide. While the main segments for
both companies (AG Services & Oilseeds in the case of ADM; Agribusiness in the case of BG) are highly exposed to commodities
and ultimately have low margins, we believe ADM and BG have started a successful shift towards businesses offering more
stable and higher levels of profitability. ADM, with its recent focus on Nutrition, is actually one step ahead, in our view, while in
the case of BG, we believe a significant part of recent restructuring efforts is yet to bear fruit. As we have a fairly positive view on
the broader protein supply chain, given increasing global protein consumption, we believe ADM and BG are well positioned to
also benefit from this important structural demand driver.
We believe that ADM, as a market leader in global agriculture, is set to benefit from a growing population and the need to bring
food from farmers to consumers. The company’s extensive logistics network, sourcing capabilities, and continuous divestments
to focus on the core business, while still expanding its footprint, bode well for shareholder returns. Over the past few years, the
company’s focus on new operations and streamlining of existing operations has been bearing fruit, and we expect additional
operating income growth lies ahead. With a healthy balance sheet, strong management team, and above industry average
corporate governance, we believe ADM is just at the beginning of a long-term success story. While investors should not overlook
short-term risks, due to the still high relevance of its AG Service and Oilseeds business (be it trade or simply demand related), we
believe its strategic realignment and focus on “value added” nutrition will ultimately drive better returns. Additionally, ADM has
shown a solid M&A track record, adding new business while keeping financial discipline and a focus on shareholder returns.
In our view, BG is on track to deliver on its strategic realignment, offering an opportunity for still attractive upside potential
from current levels despite certain short-term headwinds and ongoing exposure to underperforming businesses (mainly
sugar/ethanol in Brazil). On the positive side, BG should ultimately benefit from increased demand for protein globally, which will
drive demand for animal feed – one of the key drivers of results representing the vast majority of its Agribusiness segment.
Additionally, we have a structurally positive view on its food-related business, be it via the Edible Oils Segment or the Milling
business. Yet there are some issues, which should not be overlooked. We believe BG still has to move forward on its strategic
business review, further leveraging certain asset disposals, and the company will have to overcome short-term headwinds,
mainly from demand-related disruption on the back of the COVID-19 pandemic. While BG has relatively high exposure to Brazil,
it’s mainly confined to exports, with limited operations domestically, which we believe positions BG well to benefit from global
trade opportunities in light of ongoing trade tensions between the U.S. and China.
We use a mid-cycle EBIT margin assumption for our long-term DCF analysis, which in our view is the best way to look through
commodity cycles. As demand from different industries is impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we believe structural shifts in
the companies’ business models are more relevant and likely to drive longer-term better levels of profitability, ultimately
supporting the upside potential we see for both ADM and BG.
Grain processors are even further away from behaving like “Staples” companies than protein processors. Although demand
for food is stable, many factors can impact the profitability of grain processors, which companies closer to the end of the value
chain do not necessarily feel anymore. With that in mind, our recommendations are built on a long-term valuation approach; we
do see significant short-term risks for ADM and BG, which could impact stock performance in the immediate short to medium
term. Among those risks are trade conflicts (mainly U.S./China), the current COVID-19 pandemic, and a lack of additional boost
from biofuel policies. While we do believe the 2020 U.S. crop to be big, grain prices remain fairly low, leaving farmers with little
incentive to plant significant acreage in 2021, which could have adverse implications for volume – among the core factors of
profitability for grain processors.
Big crops are better than small crops. Understanding grain processors might not be intuitive except for one main takeaway: big
crops are better than small crops, and you’d better hope that you are sourcing from the biggest. In this respect, BG is slightly
better positioned than ADM, considering BG’s broader international asset diversification and commodity flow exposure.
However, we believe ADM is two steps ahead in the restructuring process and is building a more value-added (and higher-
margin) Nutrition segment. Nonetheless, the commodity linked segments are the most relevant ones, and those can only flourish
if the companies adapt to strict ESG rules.