Hello and welcome to Kalkine TV, James Preston , with you live from Sydney for the BUZZING TRENDS a show that brings you unfolding market trends from . the Australian Stock Market. In today’s show, were focussing on food product companies and they’ve fared amid rising Covid cases in Australia. There are for key companies to focus on for today's show . but first let’s take a quick look at the recent release of retail data for Australia. , The imprint of rising COVID-19 cases, and subsequent lockdowns in clearly visible in figures released by the ABS. Triggered by the lockdowns, retail sales fell by 1.8 per cent in June 2021, following , a rise of 0.4 per cent in May 2021.   The provincial numbers had a story to , tell. The fall in retail numbers was led by the states of Victoria and New South . Wales. This was because both the provinces were put under stay-at-home orders for part , of the month. According to ABS, Victoria's fall in June is larger than the fall seen in , May when the state commenced Stage 4 COVID-19 restrictions.  But then the inelasticity of demand for certain products was reflected as well.   Conversely food retailing is one . of the essentials despite state of the lockdown. Hence, it saw a growth of 1.5 per . cent during the month of June. It was the only industry to rise in June, with those states , entering lockdown during the month driving the increase. Naturally this was the most profitable , sector for the period.  On the other hand, the broader market – denoted by benchmark ASX200 – grew by 1.19 per cent during the period.  With that background let’s turn our attention , to our food product companies in focus. The First company on our list is the A2 Milk , Company. It is a dual listed company – both in New Zealand as well in Australia. The , Auckland-headquartered company commercialises intellectual property or IP when it comes to A1 protein-free milk.  A1 protein-free milk is a product that is sold under the a2 and a2 Milk , brands, along with various other products. What is worth noticing here is that the stock has given

six-times more return than the broader benchmark in the last month. The share prices of A2 Milk company grew by 6.94 per cent in June.   Well, it is time for a short . break on the Buzzing Trends, there's three more top food product companies on the other side of the break and see how they are performing amidst rising , coronavirus cases in Australia. Stay Tuned.    @@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@@    Welcome back to Kalkine , TV, James Preston with you, great to have your company . for the BUZZING TRENDS.   Today in the show, we’ve curated a list of the , top four food product companies listed on the ASX. Rising corona virus cases have been alarming for all the sectors in the market but food retailing businesses witnessed a growth in the . month of June. We’ve already shon a light on A2 milk who have grown by nearly 7 percent in june alone so lets now move onto Elders. Founded in Adelaide, South Australia almost two centuries ago in 1839, the company is an agribusiness that provides agricultural goods and services to . primary producers in Australia and New Zealand. In China, it imports, processes and distributes . Australian meat. Unlike A2 Milk, the shares of the company have underperformed the broader , markets in the past month, even as food demand continued to rise. Elders share prices , have fallen by 2.82% in the last month.  IF YOU havent already worked up an . appetite – this will one will hit you right in the afternoon snacks.. Bega . Cheese. Founded in 1899 in Adelaide, South Australia, it is an Australian diversified , food company with manufacturing sites in New South Wales, Queensland and Victoria. Bega , Cheese won many fans after its acquisition of Lion Dairy & Drinks - also known as LDD, which completed in January this year. LDD is considered a good strategic fit for Bega, . as it diversifies Bega’s dairy exposure, increases scale, and accelerates the shift towards branded products. The acquisition and the targeted synergy base is expected to drive a material step change ,

in returns for the company over the next 3 years. On the stock performance front, the share prices of Bega Cheese have been a laggard on ASX for the past month. The , company saw its share prices tank by 13.82%.  AND LASTLY, our fourth and final . food product company to look at is the Costa Group Holdings. Founded in 1888, , the company is Australia's largest horticultural company. It is also a major supplier of produce , to food retailers in that country. The company recently announced the successful completion of . the retail component of its fully underwritten 1 for 6.33 pro rata accelerated renounceable . entitlement offer with retail rights trading. The company offered approximately 8.5 million retail entitlements under the Retail Shortfall Bookbuild, to commence after market close on Thursday, 22 July 2021. This company has also underperformed the broader markets . – growing by just 0.91% in the past month.   So, all in all, the food product companies listed on the ASX have been underperforming the benchmark except , the A2 Milk Company. BUT With concerns over rising coronavirus cases in the country and the extension of lockdown, this sector is still one to look at. That's all for Buzzing Trends, hope you enjoyed the show Keep watching Kalkine TV Live for all the latest news and market updates , for the day.  I’m James Preston signing off.      , , . ,    ,

Buzzing Trends || How have food product companies fared amid rising COVID-19 in Australia?