Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) Receives Consensus Rating of “Reduce” from Brokerages

Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) has been assigned a consensus rating of “Reduce” from the six brokerages that are currently covering the stock, Marketbeat Ratings reports. Two analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and one has issued a buy recommendation on the company. The average twelve-month price target among brokers that have issued a report on the stock in the last year is GBX 1,931.

Several equities research analysts recently commented on ABF shares. Jefferies Financial Group reissued an “underperform” rating and set a GBX 1,650 price objective on shares of Associated British Foods in a research note on Friday. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Associated British Foods from GBX 2,095 to GBX 1,940 and set a “neutral” rating on the stock in a research report on Friday. Shore Capital lowered Associated British Foods to a “hold” rating in a research report on Friday. Citigroup lifted their price objective on Associated British Foods from GBX 1,830 to GBX 1,840 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research note on Monday, November 10th. Finally, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft dropped their target price on Associated British Foods from GBX 2,100 to GBX 1,925 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a report on Thursday.

Insider Transactions at Associated British Foods

In related news, insider George G. Weston sold 43,660 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,103, for a total transaction of £918,169.80. Also, insider Eoin Tonge sold 34,818 shares of the business’s stock in a transaction that occurred on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 2,103, for a total transaction of £732,222.54. Insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

More Associated British Foods News

Here are the key news stories impacting Associated British Foods this week:

• Neutral Sentiment: CMA has accepted ABF and Hovis’s request to jump to Phase 2 of the merger investigation — this speeds the formal review process but confirms the takeover will face detailed competition scrutiny. CMA accepts joint ABF/Hovis request to fast-track merger investigation
• Neutral Sentiment: ABF and Hovis formally asked the UK regulator to fast‑track the takeover review — demonstrates the parties want to shorten uncertainty, but it also signals a higher probability of a contested/complex review. ABF, Hovis ask UK regulator to fast-track takeover review
• Negative Sentiment: Primark issued a profit warning and reported weaker fashion & beauty holiday sales, driving the initial sell‑off — Primark is a major earnings driver for ABF, so deterioration in its trading meaningfully lowers near‑term profit visibility. Associated British Foods Shares Plunge as Primark Weakness Weighs on Outlook
• Negative Sentiment: Shares plunged roughly double‑digits after the Primark profit warning; that sharp move has triggered analyst re‑ratings and momentum selling. Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) Stock Price Down 10.4% – Here’s Why
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies reaffirmed an “underperform” stance and set a GBX 1,650 target — a clear bearish signal from a major broker. Jefferies underperform / PT GBX 1,650
• Negative Sentiment: JPMorgan cut its price target from GBX 2,095 to GBX 1,940 and moved to “neutral”, and Deutsche Bank lowered its PT from GBX 2,100 to GBX 1,925 (now “hold”) — these cuts reduce analyst support and can pressure the stock further. JPMorgan & Deutsche price target cuts
• Negative Sentiment: Shore Capital downgraded ABF to “hold”, adding to the wave of less‑constructive broker views. Shore Capital downgrade

Associated British Foods Trading Up 0.5%

LON:ABF traded up GBX 9 during trading hours on Friday, hitting GBX 1,859. The company had a trading volume of 2,399,021 shares, compared to its average volume of 7,529,364. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.88, a current ratio of 1.78 and a quick ratio of 0.93. Associated British Foods has a 52 week low of GBX 1,818.87 and a 52 week high of GBX 2,359. The company has a market capitalization of £13.15 billion, a PE ratio of 13.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.24. The stock has a 50-day moving average price of GBX 2,141.56 and a 200 day moving average price of GBX 2,148.77.

Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) last posted its quarterly earnings data on Tuesday, November 4th. The company reported GBX 174.90 earnings per share for the quarter. Associated British Foods had a return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 7.25%. On average, equities research analysts predict that Associated British Foods will post 188.0990415 EPS for the current fiscal year.

Associated British Foods Company Profile

Associated British Foods is a diversified international food, ingredients and retail group with sales of £13.9bn, 128,000 employees and operations in 53 countries across Europe, Africa, the Americas, Asia and Australia.

Our purpose is to provide safe, nutritious, affordable food, and clothing that is great value for money. With the breadth of our business, our brands and global reach, ABF aims to consistently deliver value to its stakeholders.

Our business is split into five segments: Grocery; Sugar; Agriculture; Ingredients; and Retail.