This FTSE 250 stock has returned over 300% since 2020

Buyers who’re capable of look previous an organization’s short-term challenges can generate nice returns. Over the past 5 years, one FTSE 250 inventory has been an incredible illustration of this.

The Premier Meals (LSE:PFD) share value has gone from 45p in 2020 to over £2 at the moment. And there’s an necessary lesson for traders on this.

What’s occurred?

Premier Meals isn’t a very dynamic enterprise. It manufactures a spread of branded and own-label packaged meals, starting from desserts to cooking sauces.

It’s the kind of firm the place returns are usually regular, relatively than spectacular. However during the last 5 years, each the enterprise and the inventory have achieved extremely properly.

Gross sales have elevated, margins have widened, and the corporate has reinstated its dividend. And this has brought about the share value to rise sharply. 

One of many key enhancements has been the agency’s steadiness sheet. Since 2020, long-term debt has decreased from £501m to £326m, leading to decrease curiosity funds and better income.

This, nevertheless, seems to be unlikely to proceed. The corporate is now in a robust monetary place, so I’m cautious of how a lot scope there’s for future enhancements on this entrance.

In consequence, I’m wanting round for the following main alternative. And there’s a inventory that’s been catching my eye just lately as one to take a better have a look at. 

The following huge factor?

Rentokil Preliminary (LSE:RTO) has quite a bit in frequent with Premier Meals. It operates in an business the place demand is comparatively secure and it has a major aggressive place.

Like Premier Meals in 2020, Rentokil additionally has plenty of debt on its steadiness sheet. Lengthy-term borrowings are roughly double the place they have been 5 years in the past. 

This, nevertheless, is the results of an enormous acquisition in 2022. And I believe because the debt degree decreases and curiosity funds fall, there’s an honest likelihood of income shifting greater.

Earlier this week, although, the corporate hit a setback as CEO Andy Ransom introduced his intention to retire in 2026. With the agency nonetheless in transition, a change in management is a threat.

Regardless of this, I believe there’s clear scope for the corporate to maintain shifting ahead. Indicators of operational efficiencies are beginning to seem and the debt degree is beginning to lower.

I’m due to this fact optimistic that this is likely to be an identical story to Premier Meals from 5 years in the past. I’m not saying a 300% return is on the playing cards, however the two appear to have quite a bit in frequent.

Silly takeaway

Rentokil’s current outcomes have been considerably underwhelming. The combination of its huge acquisition has taken longer than plenty of shareholders have been anticipating. 

I believe, nevertheless, there are clear causes for optimism. And I’m struck by the similarities between the corporate proper now and Premier Meals once I first noticed it in 2020. 

I missed out on the FTSE 250 inventory again then as a result of I used to be involved about its debt ranges. However I’m decided to not make the identical mistake once more.