AB Foods Shares Plunge 11% on Primark Sales Warning and Sugar Division Losses

Key Facts

1Associated British Foods shares fell over 11% following a warning of weaker like-for-like sales at Primark.

2The company stated that losses in its Sugar business are likely to reach the upper end of previous guidance.

3The group expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to exceed previous expectations despite the challenges.

In a move reflecting mounting pressures within the UK retail sector, Associated British Foods shares plummeted more than 11% after issuing a warning regarding weak like-for-like sales at its Primark chain. The company stated that sales performance fell short of expectations, dampening investor sentiment toward its flagship fashion brand. Furthermore, the group indicated that losses in its Sugar business are likely to reach the upper end of its previous guidance, compounding the downward pressure on the stock.

Despite these operational headwinds, the company noted that it expects full-year adjusted earnings per share to exceed previous expectations, suggesting resilience in other parts of the group's portfolio. Per market data, the ABF.L ticker closed at 1807.50 pence on September 10, 2026, hitting a daily low at that same level, while the session high reached 1870 pence.

Traders should watch the current support level at 1807.50 pence (as of September 10, 2026 close) to gauge the persistence of the bearish momentum. Looking at the economic calendar, there are no immediate major catalysts scheduled for the UK retail sector in the coming days, leaving the focus on subsequent management updates regarding margin improvement strategies in both the sugar and retail divisions.