Xu Jun, Chairman China State Farms Holdings Shanghai and Geoff Babidge Chief Executive Officer of A2 Corporation. Photo / File
A2 Milk Co shares gained after the milk marketer played down fears about the infant formula market stemming from ASX-listed rival Bellamy's Australia's extended trading halt.
The stock gained 5.4 per cent to $2.15, having been under pressure since December 12 when Bellamy's sought a trading halt, stoking speculation about
the formula market.
Auckland-based, Sydney-headquarter A2's infant formula business is still underpinning significant sales growth, it said in a statement. The stock fell as much as 15 per cent after Bellamy's entered the trading halt, extended today pending negotiations with key suppliers and manufacturers that could affect earnings. Bellamy's was to have lifted the trading halt today but now expects the suspension to stay in place until January 13.
In a statement, A2 said it "notes the higher level of recent comment and interest from shareholders relating to the infant formula market" and that "the business continue to trade very strongly, reflecting, in particular, significant year-on-year growth in its infant formula business".
At its November annual meeting, A2 told shareholders revenue was up 96 per cent to $155.2 million in the first four months of the financial year, generating earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation of $35.5m.
