Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) Earns Underperform Rating from Jefferies Financial Group

Associated British Foods (LON:ABF)‘s stock had its “underperform” rating restated by Jefferies Financial Group in a report released on Friday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. They presently have a GBX 1,650 price objective on the stock. Jefferies Financial Group’s price target suggests a potential downside of 11.24% from the stock’s current price.

Several other equities analysts have also issued reports on ABF. Shore Capital reiterated a “buy” rating on shares of Associated British Foods in a research note on Tuesday, November 4th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft upgraded Associated British Foods to a “hold” rating and decreased their target price for the company from GBX 2,130 to GBX 2,000 in a research report on Wednesday, September 24th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their target price on Associated British Foods from GBX 2,215 to GBX 2,095 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research note on Wednesday, November 5th. Finally, Citigroup raised their price target on shares of 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. One analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have given a Sell rating to the company. Based on data from MarketBeat.com, the company presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of GBX 1,931.

Associated British Foods Stock Performance

Shares of Associated British Foods stock opened at GBX 1,859 on Friday. The company has a current ratio of 1.78, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.88. The company has a market cap 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 company has a 50 day moving average of GBX 2,132.80 and a 200-day moving average of GBX 2,148.31. Associated British Foods has a 1-year low of GBX 1,818.87 and a 1-year high of GBX 2,359.

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

Insider Buying and Selling

In other Associated British Foods news, insider Eoin Tonge sold 34,818 shares of the company’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 value of £732,222.54. Also, insider George G. Weston sold 43,660 shares of the firm’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The shares were sold at an average price of GBX 2,103, for a total transaction of £918,169.80. 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

About Associated British Foods

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.