Shore Capital downgrades AB Foods after profit warning.
Shore Capital downgraded its stance on Associated British Foods on Friday to ‘hold’ from ‘buy’ after the Primark owner’s profit warning a day earlier.
Associated British Foods
09 January 2026 11:00:57
Source: Sharecast
AB Foods cut its profit outlook on Thursday due to weaker performances at its Primark retail chain and US foods operations.
Shore Capital said Primark has faced challenging market conditions across Continental Europe, whilst also reporting some difficult trading patterns in US Grocery & Ingredients too.
"Sugar expectations are unchanged. Adjusted EBIT and EPS are guided below the FY25 out-turn, making for a notable downgrade to our estimates," the broker said.
"We cut our FY26F EPS by circa 11% to 161.7p. Following this disappointing update, we believe it is sensible to temper our positive stance on ABF stock to a hold position, noting we see a lot to like about the ABF business, but also need to understand and see how trading ultimately settles."
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