Premium Brands Income Fund (TSX:PBI.UN) has reported an 80% increase in sales for its current first quarter compared with its first quarter in 2007: $94.3 million from $42 million.
Approximately $40.5 million of the increase came from acquisitions in 2007. Earnings for the quarter were $3.3 million, up from $2.4 million in the first quarter of 2007.
Distributable cash for the Richmond-based food manufacturer increased to $28 million for the year ending March 29 compared with $19.1 million for the previous year.
In its most recent quarter, the company bought Noble House Distributors, a direct-to-store distributor, for approximately $1.7 million. Premium Brands also acquired the B.C. operations of Mrs. Willman's Baking for roughly $1.3 million.
The company said it was able to compensate for rising commodity prices by increasing the price of its goods.
Premium's share price range during the week: between $13.22 and $13.51; 52-week high $15.53; 52-week low $11.17.