Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) Rating Lowered to Hold at Shore Capital

Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) was downgraded by research analysts at Shore Capital to a “hold” rating in a report released on Friday, MarketBeat Ratings reports.

ABF has been the subject of a number of other research reports. JPMorgan Chase & Co. dropped their price target on Associated British Foods from GBX 2,215 to GBX 2,095 and set a “neutral” rating for the company in a research report on Wednesday, November 5th. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft raised shares of Associated British Foods to a “hold” rating and lowered their target price for the company from GBX 2,130 to GBX 2,000 in a research note on Wednesday, September 24th. Jefferies Financial Group reissued an “underperform” rating and issued a GBX 1,650 price target on shares of Associated British Foods in a research note on Friday. Finally, Citigroup raised their price objective on shares of Associated British Foods from GBX 1,830 to GBX 1,840 and gave the company a “sell” rating in a research report on Monday, November 10th. One equities research analyst has rated the stock with a Buy rating, three have given a Hold rating and two have assigned a Sell rating to the stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the company currently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and a consensus price target of GBX 1,931.

Associated British Foods Stock Up 0.5%

ABF opened at GBX 1,859 on Friday. The firm has a market capitalization of £13.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.13, a price-to-earnings-growth ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.24. Associated British Foods has a one year low of GBX 1,818.87 and a one year high of GBX 2,359. The company has a fifty day moving average price of GBX 2,132.80 and a 200-day moving average price of GBX 2,148.31. 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 (LON:ABF) last issued 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 return on equity of 13.07% and a net margin of 7.25%. Equities research analysts expect that Associated British Foods will post 188.0990415 earnings per share for the current fiscal year.

Insider Buying and Selling at Associated British Foods

In related news, insider Eoin Tonge sold 34,818 shares of Associated British Foods stock in a transaction 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 business’s stock in a transaction on Monday, November 17th. The stock was sold at an average price of GBX 2,103, for a total transaction of £918,169.80. 1.50% of the stock is currently owned by company insiders.

Associated British Foods News Roundup

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 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.