Cranswick CWK.L
United KingdomConsumer Defensive · Packaged FoodsLondon Stock Exchange · GBP
63.01 GBP (+26.8%)
10 analysts
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Cranswick is a British food producer and distributor, specializing in pork products, charcuterie and ready meals, supplying the UK's major supermarkets.
Listed on London Stock Exchange · Symbol CWK.L · LON: CWK · Currency GBP
Key points
from its scores- ✓Favourable backdrop8.5
- ✓Very solid balance sheet7.2
- ✕Little competitive advantage4.8
- !Weak share-price trend5.4
AI analysis
bottom line, main risk, context and newsStable growth and a solid balance sheet offset tight margins and dependence on the UK market.
Cranswick presents a solid and balanced financial profile: a conservative balance sheet (Net Debt/EBITDA of 0.76), double-digit organic earnings growth (16.00%) and a reasonable valuation (forward P/E of 14.68). Quality is good (ROIC of 18.05%), although the gross margin of 15.88% is low, typical of a food processor with limited bargaining power against supermarkets.
Dependence on a small number of major UK supermarkets as key customers, which limits its pricing power and exposes its margins to competitive pressure in the sector.
Context and risks
Cranswick operates in the UK, a market with solid institutions and minority shareholder protection, so governance risk is limited. Its processed food business has no material exposure to interest rates, oil or conflict maritime routes, and its balance sheet is conservative (Net Debt/EBITDA of 0.76). No specific regulatory, geopolitical or business model risks are identified that are not already reflected in the quantitative metrics.
Is Cranswick stock cheap or expensive?
at the analysis dateOn P/E and EV / EBITDA, it trades in line with the Consumer Defensive median (within 15%).
| Multiple | Company | Sector | Difference |
|---|---|---|---|
| P/E | 17.1 | 19.8 | −13% |
| EV / EBITDA | 9.2 | 10.8 | −15% |
| Price / book | 2.4 | 2.7 | −10% |
| Price / sales | 0.9 | 1.2 | −28% |
Sector: median of the 124 Consumer Defensive companies analysed. In bold, the multiples used for the comparison.
Valuation score: 6.4 out of 10 (median for Consumer Defensive: 6.3).
Average analyst target: 63.01 GBP, +26.8% versus the price.
Classic formulas with standard assumptions (10.0% growth, 8-9% discount rate). Indicative only: they change a lot with the assumptions and are not a recommendation.
Work out its fair value yourself →How much would you have made investing every month? →
Comparing it with its sector does not say whether it is a good buy: this is not investment advice.
Score by category
0 to 10 · hover overtap each one to see what it measuresKey metrics
at the analysis date · compared with the Consumer Defensive medianValuation
- P/E
- 17.1
- Forward P/E
- 14.7
- EV / EBITDA
- 9.2
- Price / book
- 2.4
- Price / sales
- 0.9
- PEG
- 2.86
- Market cap
- 2.7B GBP
- Enterprise value
- 2.9B GBP
Profitability
- ROE
- 15.2%
- ROA
- 9.0%
- ROIC (approx.)
- 18.1%
- Gross margin
- 15.9%
- Operating margin
- 8.1%
- Net margin
- 5.3%
- Free cash flow
- 53.2M GBP
- FCF yield
- 2.0%
- Cash conversion
- 17%
Solvency
- Total debt
- 253.3M GBP
- Net debt
- 240.8M GBP
- Cash
- 12.5M GBP
- EBITDA
- 314.9M GBP
- Net debt / EBITDA
- 0.76
- Debt / equity
- 23.26
- Current ratio
- 1.76
- Quick ratio
- 1.08
Growth
- Revenue growth
- +8.7%
- Earnings growth
- +16.0%
- EPS (TTM)
- 2.90 GBP
- EPS (forward)
- 3.39 GBP
Dividend
- Dividend yield
- 2.3%
- Payout
- 35.5%
Risk and market
- Beta
- 0.54
- Analyst consensus
- Strong buy (10)
- Target price
- 63.01 GBP
Recent news
All CWK.L news →Compare it with its sector
All 124 in Consumer Defensive →Frequently asked questions about Cranswick
Is Cranswick stock cheap or expensive?
On P/E and EV / EBITDA, it trades in line with the Consumer Defensive median (within 15%). Valuation score: 6.4 out of 10 (median for Consumer Defensive: 6.3). Average analyst target: 63.01 GBP, +26.8% versus the price. This is not investment advice.
What score does Cranswick get on MeridIAn Screener?
It scores 6.4 out of 10, rank 620 of 2,130 (better than 68% of the companies analysed). Its strongest category is Risk & Context (8.5) and its weakest, Quality / Moat (4.8). Analysis of 08/10/2026.
What is Cranswick's P/E ratio?
Its P/E is 17.1: the share price equals 17.1 times earnings per share over the last 12 months. The Consumer Defensive median is 19.8. Based on the earnings analysts expect, the forward P/E is 14.7.
How much is Cranswick worth on the stock market?
Its market capitalisation is 2.7B GBP and its enterprise value, debt included, is 2.9B GBP.
How much debt does Cranswick have?
Its net debt (debt minus cash) is 240.8M GBP. That is 0.76 times its EBITDA; the Consumer Defensive median is 2.38.
Does Cranswick pay a dividend?
Yes: its dividend yield is 2.27% and it pays out 35% of its earnings.
How has Cranswick stock performed over the last year?
It has risen 1.3% over the last year, excluding dividends. Over the last 52 weeks it has traded between 0.00 and 58.10 GBP. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
What do analysts think of Cranswick?
10 analysts cover it; their average recommendation is “Strong buy” and their average target is 63.01 GBP (+26.8% versus the price). It is an estimate, not market data.