Associated British Foods 
Preview: Premier Foods plc's H1 results
3 August 2010
Shares in Premier Foods plc, the UK's largest food maker, fell by more than 3% today (3 August) amid concern in some quarters of the City ahead of the publication of the company's half-year results tomorrow.
just the answer - William Mitchell, PureCircle
30 July 2010
The food industry is paying increasing attention to stevia, a natural, zero-calorie sweetener that its suppliers claim can help manufacturers meet growing demand for healthier products. Stevia suppliers like UK-listed PureCircle are securing contracts with more of the food industry's leading names and today (30 July) the company's CFO William Mitchell talked to Dean Best about the development and potential of the ingredient.
UK: Stevia maker PureCircle sees shares slide
27 July 2010
Shares in UK-listed stevia producer PureCircle soured today (27 July) after the business warned profits in 2010 would be lower than a year earlier.
UK: ABF sales up, full-year trading on track
8 July 2010
Associated British Foods (ABF) said today (8 July) that it remains on track to deliver "good earnings progress" for the full-year.
The battle among UK bakers
7 May 2010
As the pressures of weak consumer spending continues and major UK retailers embark on a promotional war to win shoppers, the lowly loaf of bread is at the centre of a fierce price battle on grocery shelves, writes Michelle Russell.
The market is wrong on Tesco - but right on ABF
26 April 2010
Just as political opinion polls can be misleading, so can the polls run each day in the world's financial districts - those listing the rise and fall of a company's shares.
UK: ABF launches Blue Dragon salad dressings
26 April 2010
Associated British Foods has launched a range of salad dressings in the UK under its ethnic cuisine brand Blue Dragon.
In the spotlight - ABF's grocery basket
23 April 2010
Thriving discount retailer Primark is the part of UK group Associated British Foods that has grabbed the headlines in recent quarters.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
23 April 2010
Tuesday (20 April) saw a bullish Tesco and Associated British Foods present its latest numbers to the market, although elsewhere, Supervalu Inc's financial results were less robust. Meanwhile, Nestle admitted to challenges in Russia, and just-food heard about the promise of Africa for investors. Here is a selection of who said what about the top stories in the food sector this week.
Top stories on just-food this week
23 April 2010
A number of the industry's heavy-weights, from Nestle to PepsiCo and Tesco, reported their results last week. Mars Inc and Northern Foods both announced job cuts in the UK while Unilever took swift steps to distance itself from the BNP's election campaign. Here is a selection of the most-read stories on just-food from the past week.
On the money: ABF hails grocery impact on profits
20 April 2010
Associated British Foods chief executive George Weston today (20 April) praised the contribution that the UK group's grocery business had had on company profits in the last six months.
UK: ABF says investments reaping benefits
20 April 2010
Associated British Foods, the UK-based group behind Kingsmill bread and Jordans cereals, said today (20 April) that "strong performances" across the business had boosted half-year profits.
Ebro cuts ties with dairy with Lactalis sale
9 March 2010
A full 100 years since a forerunner of Spanish food giant Ebro Puleva made its first dairy products, the company looks set to quit the category.
UK: Jordans Cereals unveils 2010 marketing spend
4 March 2010
UK cereal maker Jordans Cereals is to invest GBP6.5m (US$9.8m) in marketing support for its range throughout this year.
UPDATE: UK: ABF grocery sales "slowing" – analysts
22 February 2010
Analysts have suggested that growth at Associated British Foods' grocery unit may be slowing after the UK firm's trading update today (22 February).
UK: ABF issues buoyant update
22 February 2010
Associated British Foods expects first-half profits to be higher than last year, with a strong performance from most of its business sectors.
INSIGHT: Tate & Lyle must “rethink” corporate strategy – analyst
28 January 2010
UK sugar and ingredients group Tate & Lyle should rethink its corporate strategy in order to improve its performance and see off any potential takeover bid, analysts at Icap have suggested.
UK: Premier launches another Sharwoods push
22 January 2010
Premier Foods plc is to launch a fresh push behind its Sharwoods ethical cuisine brand with an advertising campaign and changes to its wet noodle and stir fry Chinese ranges.
UK: ABF grocery margins climb in Q1
14 January 2010
Associated British Foods today (14 January) revealed that rising sales and changes to the way it runs its grocery business had helped profits from the division in the first quarter of its financial year.
UK: ABF unveils Japanese Blue Dragon line
4 December 2009
Associated British Foods is to launch a range of Japanese products under its Blue Dragon ethnic cuisine line in the UK.
Quote, unquote: just-food's week in words
6 November 2009
Private label was the topic on the lips of Xavier Govare, CEO of Alfesca, Pierre-Olivier Beckers, Delhaize CEO, and Sara Lee's Brenda Barnes this week, while Sir Stuart Rose stole the limelight with the news that Marks and Spencer is to roll out branded products across the UK.
INSIGHT: ABF sees Allied Bakeries profit improving
3 November 2009
Associated British Foods this morning (3 November) hailed an improved performance at its Allied Bakeries business, which has seen profitability increase over the last two years.
UK: ABF delivers sales, earnings growth
3 November 2009
Associated British Foods this morning (3 November) posted a jump in full year sales and profits, which were boosted by improving profitability at its sugar business and “excellent” growth at fashion retailer Primark.
Preview – Associated British Foods FY
2 November 2009
Associated British Foods is expected to deliver strong top-line growth when it delivers its full-year results tomorrow (3 November), helped by currency exchange and M&A activity.
Top stories on just-food this week
30 October 2009
What goes into food and what is slapped on the outside dominated the headlines on just-food this week. Food manufacturers and retailers continued to fall over themselves to demonstrate their commitment to sustainable palm oil although, as our interview with the WWF revealed, there are those in the industry that have yet to take any action on the issue. One industry-wide action on food labelling in the US has hit the buffers with the country's leading food makers pulling out of the Smart Choices Program. Will US regulators now fill that void? These are the top ten stories on just-food this week.
SPAIN: Ebro sees profits up 45%
30 October 2009
Spanish food group Ebro Puleva reported a net profit of EUR134.7m in the first nine months of the year, a jump of 45%, boosted by the sale of the company's sugar business.
The just-food interview - the WWF and palm oil
29 October 2009
How to source palm oil is vexing the minds of many in the food industry. Growing consumer awareness of the links between palm oil, deforestation, the threat to wildlife and products on supermarket shelves is encouraging manufacturers and retailers to look for sustainable sources. However, only a few have grasped the nettle and, as Adam Harrison, senior food and agriculture officer for the WWF tells Dean Best, the industry needs to do much, much more - and quickly.
EUROPE: Spar, Auchan, ABF slammed on palm oil
28 October 2009
Retailers Spar International, Auchan, Aldi and UK food giant Associated British Foods are today (28 October) among the companies told to "up their game" on their sourcing of palm oil.
S AFRICA: Illovo nets US$389m in rights offer
14 September 2009
South African Illovo Sugar has raised ZAR3bn (US$389m) through a rights offer it undertook in July.
UK: ABF says group trading remains “strong”
7 September 2009
Associated British Foods (ABF) said trading for the group has been “strong” since the half-year, resulting in an increase in adjusted operating profit for the second-half compared to the previous year.
Related research
Associated British Foods plc - SWOT Analysis
Datamonitor's Associated British Foods plc - SWOT Analysis company profile is the essential source for top-level company data and information. Associated British Foods plc - SWOT Analysis examines the company’s key business structure and operations, history and products, and provides summary analysis of its key revenue lines and strategy.(£1=$1.5516) Associated British Foods (ABF or “the group”) is a diversified group engaged in food, ingredients and retail business. The group primarily operates in the UK, Europe and Asia. It is headquartered in London, the UK and employs about 96,251 people. The group recorded revenues of £9,255 million ($14,360.1 million) during the financial year ended September 2009 (FY2009), an increase of 12.4% as compared to 2008. The operating profit of the group was £625 million ($969.8 million) in FY2009, an increase of 12.8% as compared to 2008. The net profit was £383 million ($594.3 million) in FY2009, a decrease of 2% as compared to 2008.
Associated British Foods Plc (ABF) - Packaged Food – World
Euromonitor International's Associated British Foods Plc (ABF) Company Profile offers detailed strategic analysis of the company’s business, examining its performance in the pacakged food market. The report provides a strategic evaluation of the company, examines company shares by region and sector, offers a brand assessment and it addresses challenges from the competition and future prospects. Use it to understand opportunities and threats facing the business and the factors driving success.
Associated British Foods: Strategic Corporate Assessment - Strategy, SWOT Analysis and 5-year Financial Insights with In-depth Company Profile
Associated British Foods (ABF) has been growing through acquisitions of complimentary businesses. It aims to increase its presence in newer markets and segments by adding greater diversity to its product portfolio and expanding its operations. The company has divested businesses and focused on reshaping its businesses in order to achieve operational efficiency and drive sales and profit growth.
