(Sharecast News) - Premier Foods said it had bought healthy meals brand Merchant Gourmet for an enterprise value of £48m on a cash and debt free basis.

Merchant, which makes ready-to-eat meals from pulses and grains, is expected to generate revenue of £28m in the year to March 2026.

Premier said the company had a "broad consumer base, exceptionally strong repeat rates and established track record of new category expansion".

Reporting by Frank Prenesti for Sharecast.com