AB Foods stock faces sugar losses before November 3 results

Published on 10/04/2026 at 21:58 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS

AB Foods stock was last at GBp 1,826 on October 2, while sugar loss guidance reaches GBP 70 million to GBP 170 million for 2027. Annual results follow on November 3.

Architektur-Render Glasfassade, Symbolbild Associated British Foods plc GB0006731235 — Associated British Foods plc GB0006731235 wird durch ein modernes Architektur-Render einer gläsernen Firmenzentrale visualisiert, Illustration mit AI erstellt.

AB Foods (ISIN GB0006731235) was last at GBp 1,826 on the London Stock Exchange on October 2, 2026, down 0.27 percent from the prior close of GBp 1,831. The company expects a 2027 adjusted operating loss of GBP 70 million to GBP 170 million in Sugar, while its annual results are scheduled for November 3, 2026.

Sugar risk sets the 2027 test

According to Investegate on September 10, 2026, AB Foods expects the Sugar division to post an adjusted operating loss toward the higher end of its fiscal 2026 guidance range of GBP 25 million to GBP 60 million. The same release set a wider fiscal 2027 loss range of GBP 70 million to GBP 170 million.

The contrast with the group outlook is material. AB Foods said fiscal 2026 adjusted operating profit should be broadly in line with previous expectations, while adjusted earnings per share should be ahead of expectations. Sugar therefore remains the clearest counterweight to the better earnings-per-share signal.

Primark growth stays uneven

The September trading statement put Primark's fiscal 2026 total sales growth at 2 percent, but like-for-like sales growth at negative 2.6 percent. The regional split was sharper: continental Europe was expected to show negative 4.3 percent like-for-like growth in the fourth quarter, against positive 11 percent sales growth in the United States.

AB Foods also said Primark plans to introduce home delivery in Great Britain after expanding Click and Collect. The retail business is expected to contribute to the group's long-term growth, but the current figures show why the November results will be judged on the balance between new space, digital investment and comparable-store demand.

Analyst target stays below the share price

As Markets Insider reported on September 23, 2026, Citi cut its AB Foods price target to GBp 1,520 from GBp 1,550 and kept a Sell rating. That target is 16.8 percent below the October 2 last price of GBp 1,826, putting the analyst view below the market quotation.

AB Foods' 52-week range was GBp 1,559 to GBp 2,359 as of October 2, 2026. Its market capitalization was GBP 12.8 billion, and trading volume reached 369,633 shares on that date.

November results provide the next checkpoint

AB Foods is scheduled to report annual results for the 52 weeks ended September 12, 2026, on November 3, 2026. The report will show whether the better adjusted EPS outlook can offset the Sugar loss range and the negative comparable-sales figures at Primark.