AB Foods stock faces a sharper sugar loss outlook

Published on 10/03/2026 at 23:38 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

AB Foods stock was last at GBp 1,826 on October 2, 2026, while Citi cut its target to GBp 1,520. Primark sales fell 3.0 percent in the forecast period.

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AB Foods stock (ISIN GB0006731235) was last at GBp 1,826 on the London Stock Exchange on October 2, 2026 at 4:35 p.m. London time, down 0.27 percent from the prior close of GBp 1,831. The latest trading update puts the sharpest pressure on the Sugar division, whose adjusted operating loss is expected to reach GBP 70 million to GBP 170 million in fiscal 2027.

Sugar losses widen in 2027

According to Morningstar on September 10, 2026, AB Foods expected its fiscal 2026 Sugar adjusted operating loss to land toward the upper end of the previous GBP 25 million to GBP 60 million range. The fiscal 2027 range raises the upper endpoint by GBP 110 million, making Sugar the clearest earnings counterweight to progress elsewhere in the group.

The same update said fiscal 2027 Retail adjusted operating margin is expected at 10 percent, while Grocery adjusted operating profit should be slightly higher year over year. Ingredients sales were expected to increase 10 percent in the fourth quarter, but Agriculture sales were forecast to decline in the mid-single digits.

Primark remains the key swing factor

Primark's comparable sales were expected to decline 3.0 percent in the fourth quarter of fiscal 2026 and 2.6 percent for the full year, according to Invezz on September 10, 2026. Total Primark sales were forecast to grow 2 percent in both periods, showing that store expansion was offsetting weaker performance from existing locations.

AB Foods also plans to introduce Primark home delivery in Great Britain and expects the demerger of Primark from its food operations to be completed in December 2027. The company lists its annual results announcement for November 3, 2026, on its AB Foods investor page.

Citi target sits below the market

On September 23, 2026, Markets Insider reported that Citi cut its AB Foods target to GBp 1,520 from GBp 1,550 and retained a Sell rating. The new target is GBp 306 below the October 2 reference quote, while the share price is 22.6 percent below its 52-week high of GBp 2,359.

Stock stays below yearly high

AB Foods traded between a 52-week low of GBp 1,559 and a high of GBp 2,359, with volume of 369,633 shares on October 2, 2026. The combination of a lower market quote, Primark's comparable-sales decline and the wider Sugar loss range leaves the November results as the next dated checkpoint for the stock.