Brokerages Set Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) Price Target at GBX 1,931

Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) has received an average recommendation of “Reduce” from the six ratings firms that are covering the firm, Marketbeat.com reports. Two investment analysts have rated the stock with a sell recommendation, three have assigned a hold recommendation and one has given a buy recommendation to the company. The average 12 month price objective among brokers that have issued ratings on the stock in the last year is GBX 1,931.

A number of research analysts have weighed in on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft decreased their target price on shares of Associated British Foods from GBX 2,100 to GBX 1,925 and set a “hold” rating on the stock in a research note on Thursday. 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. Shore Capital cut Associated British Foods to a “hold” rating in a report on Friday. Citigroup lifted their price target on Associated British Foods from GBX 1,830 to GBX 1,840 and gave the stock a “sell” rating in a report on Monday, November 10th. Finally, JPMorgan Chase & Co. lowered their price target on shares of 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.

Insider Activity at Associated British Foods

In other news, insider Eoin Tonge sold 34,818 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 £732,222.54. Also, insider George G. Weston sold 43,660 shares of Associated British Foods 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. Corporate insiders own 1.50% of the company’s stock.

Associated British Foods Trading Up 0.5%

Shares of ABF stock opened at GBX 1,859 on Friday. Associated British Foods has a fifty-two week low of GBX 1,818.87 and a fifty-two week high of GBX 2,359. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 32.88, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.78. The stock’s fifty day moving average is GBX 2,132.80 and its two-hundred day moving average is GBX 2,149.09. The firm has a market capitalization of £13.15 billion, a P/E ratio of 13.13, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 1.24.

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

Key Headlines Impacting Associated British Foods

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.