Lantmännen: Moodys raises the outlook for credit rating

Stockholm / SE. (lg) The credit rating agency Moody’s Ratings announced that it is adjusting its assessment of Lantmännen’s future outlook from «stable» to «positive». Long-term credit rating of Swedish Lantmännen Group remains at «Baa3». In its release, Moody’s states that the outlook change recognizes Lantmännen’s strengthened business profile and stable operating performance over the last five years coupled with a clear deleveraging trend. Moody’s also justifies its assessment with the Group’s continued focus on both organic and acquisition-driven growth, as well as disciplined management of its balance sheet. Overall, the assessment is that Lantmännen has a solid track record in terms of resilience to different types of adverse market events, and that will also be the case during the next three years.

(Photo: Lantmännen Group – Michael Sigsfors)

Chief Financial Officer Michael Sigsfors: «It is gratifying that Moody’s chooses to upgrade the future prospects for Lantmännen. We work continuously to reduce our financial risk, and have actively worked to strengthen our financial position and improve the ratio between our cash flow and our net debt. Moody’s credit rating also mentions our acquisition strategy, which is largely about creating new synergies with existing operations in our portfolio and thereby creating additional value from grain from field to fork.»