Despite challenging macro-economic conditions, the global fast moving consumer goods, or FMCG, industry has grown consistently over the last few years due to continuous engagement in innovation and expansion moves. Three FMCG companies have strong potential for long-term growth due to their strategies to capitalize on industry growth.
Strong foothold in OTC products
The over the counter, or OTC, healthcare business is Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PBH) main strength. It accounts for 86% of the company’s total revenue. Products like Luden, Chloraseptic, and Clear Eyes lead its North America OTC healthcare market. It announced the introduction of four new products in fiscal year 2014, which include Dramamine for kids, regional launches of BC Cherry Headache Powder, Goody’s Headache, and PediaCare squeezable packets. In fiscal year 2013, Prestige Brands’ OTC business gained 0.4% market share, and, with the introduction of these new products, this growth is likely to continue.
Additionally, Prestige Brands Holdings, Inc. (NYSE:PBH) has a strong history of actively paying debt. After completing a large deal with GlaxoSmithKline, management reduced debt by 13.32% from $1.12 billion in 2012 to $962.3 million at the end of fiscal year 2013. With free cash flow of $127.3 million in hand, the company can cut its debt to $863 million in this fiscal year.
A solid growth and dividend player
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) is one of the top diversified manufacturers in FMCG. Last year it acquired Avid Health, the leading manufacturer of the gummy form of vitamins and supplements, for $650 million. Church & Dwight spent $10 million on the promotion of Avid’s brands. As a result, in the first quarter, Avid Health added 5% to Church Dwight’s EPS growth and shipments were up 15% with 38% point-of-sale growth. Integration allows Church & Dwight to benefit from Avid’s Lil’ Critters, which is the top player in the $200 million children’s vitamin market. Church & Dwight has the opportunity to penetrate the adult gummy market as gummies presently represent only 3% of the market. The company plans to turn Avid into a power brand by using its relationship with retailers to increase the brand’s shelf space.
Church & Dwight Co., Inc. (NYSE:CHD) has a robust history of increasing dividend payouts. Over the last five years, it has provided a total return of over 120%, delivering a total shareholder annual return of 17%. In May, it declared its 449th regular quarterly dividend of $0.28, or annualized dividend of $1.12. It has an attractive five-year annual dividend growth rate of 44.96%. Moreover, since 1992 it hasn’t lowered or stopped paying dividends. The company anticipates free cash flow of $1.2 billion in the next three years, which will further support its long-history of dividend payment.
Impressive in business expansion and innovation
Another diversified FMCG company, with unparalleled breadth of product offerings, is Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL). Its Global Energy segment accounts for around 27% of total revenue and comprises mainly of operations from recently acquired Nalco, which has strong global presence, and Champion technologies, which has a U.S. focus.
These acquisitions gave Ecolab Inc. (NYSE:ECL) leadership in the Energy segment. Its energy segment will benefit from strong long-term global trends of progressive rise in supply and demand for oil and gas over the next several decades. The total oil supply from current producing fields will reduce from 80% today to just around 25% in 2035, evidence of need for supply from oil fields yet to be developed or discovered. As it is difficult to reach these types of oil fields, it should increase demand for Ecolab’s key services and products like integrity management, phase separation, scale control, flow assurance, etc. Further, with these integrations, the company expects to generate cost synergies of $25 million in 2013 and $150 million in 2015.
