Aryzta needs cash buffer against risky US sell-off, warn brokers

Analysts say Covid-19 could halt the sale of American holdings which are key to the Irish-Swiss food giant’s survival

Aryzta has pinned its turnaround plan on exiting the US, which accounts for about 40 per cent of revenues

Aryzta, the Irish-Swiss food company, could require additional capital if the sale of its US business is halted because of Covid-19, analysts have warned.

The company’s food divisions across the Americas are up for sale in an effort to reduce debt, but analysts at Swiss brokers Zürcher Kantonalbank said any delay in offloading the troubled unit would require Aryzta to raise cash.

“In the event of an unexpectedly very long coronavirus crisis, and/or if the ...