Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) Given Underperform Rating at Jefferies Financial Group

Jefferies Financial Group reaffirmed their underperform rating on shares of Associated British Foods (LON:ABF) in a research report sent to investors on Tuesday, Marketbeat Ratings reports. The brokerage currently has a GBX 1,650 price objective on the stock.

Several other research analysts also recently issued reports on the stock. Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft reduced their price target 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 report on Thursday, January 8th. JPMorgan Chase & Co. reduced 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, January 9th. Citigroup reduced their price target on shares of Associated British Foods from GBX 1,710 to GBX 1,600 and set a “sell” rating on the stock in a research report on Wednesday, April 15th. Royal Bank Of Canada downgraded shares of Associated British Foods to an “underperform” rating and reduced their price target for the stock from GBX 2,050 to GBX 1,850 in a research report on Monday, April 13th. Finally, Shore Capital Group reiterated a “hold” rating on shares of Associated British Foods in a research report on Friday, April 17th. Three equities research analysts have rated the stock with a Hold rating and three have assigned a Sell rating to the company’s stock. According to MarketBeat.com, the stock presently has a consensus rating of “Reduce” and an average target price of GBX 1,793.

Associated British Foods Stock Down 2.7%

ABF opened at GBX 1,834.50 on Tuesday. The firm’s 50-day simple moving average is GBX 1,888.54 and its 200-day simple moving average is GBX 2,020.55. The company has a debt-to-equity ratio of 33.33, a quick ratio of 0.93 and a current ratio of 1.54. Associated British Foods has a twelve month low of GBX 1,729.45 and a twelve month high of GBX 2,359. The firm has a market cap of £12.90 billion, a price-to-earnings ratio of 12.96, a PEG ratio of 1.51 and a beta of 0.84.

Associated British Foods News Summary

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

• Positive Sentiment: The planned demerger could unlock shareholder value by separating Primark’s higher‑growth retail profile from ABF’s food businesses, potentially allowing each to be valued on its own merits. ABF to split food assets from retail arm Primark
• Neutral Sentiment: ABF has publicly confirmed the demerger plan; multiple outlets report management will separate Primark from the food businesses as a structural change rather than an immediate sale, leaving timing and mechanics to be decided. ABF confirms it will spin off Primark
• Neutral Sentiment: Investors are watching upcoming company reporting and guidance — previews and analyst notes expect Q2 results and commentary to clarify near‑term profitability and cash generation across both businesses. Q2 2026 Earnings Report Preview
• Negative Sentiment: Some shareholders and commentators warn the split could be risky — concerns include execution complexity, potential one‑off costs, and how geopolitical risks (e.g., war in Iran affecting trading) will be handled post‑demerger. Shareholders fear ‘risky’ Primark split
• Negative Sentiment: Jefferies has reiterated an “underperform” rating and set a GBX 1,650 price target, signaling analyst skepticism about near‑term upside and contributing to downside pressure. Broker views: Jefferies underperform on ABF
• Negative Sentiment: Technicals and market action are adverse: the share price is trading below both the 50‑ and 200‑day averages and volume is far above average, indicating selling and re‑positioning by investors while uncertainty persists. Primark to split from food business

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.