About Associated British Foods plc (ABF)
Associated British Foods plc is a Packaged Foods company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. ABF has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Associated British Foods plc (ABF) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Packaged Foods industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom and employs approximately 138,000 people. With a market capitalization of £13 billion, ABF is a large established company.
ABF trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £13 billion. The company employs approximately 138,000 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £1,862.00
- Market Cap
- £13.12B
- 52-Week High
- £2,359.00
- 52-Week Low
- £1,810.00
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Packaged Foods
ABF Investment Performance
ABF has declined 12.5% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in ABF would have grown to £758, representing a -24.2% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £11,239.
£1,000 Invested in Associated British Foods plc (ABF)
How much would £1,000 invested in ABF be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in ABF 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Associated British Foods plc (ABF) in 2025 would be worth £990 as of March 2026, representing a -1.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in ABF 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Associated British Foods plc (ABF) in 2023 would be worth £980 as of March 2026, representing a -2.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in ABF 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Associated British Foods plc (ABF) in 2021 would be worth £758 as of March 2026, representing a -24.2% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in ABF 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Associated British Foods plc (ABF) in 2016 would be worth £540 as of March 2026, representing a -46.0% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in ABF at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Associated British Foods plc (ABF) at IPO would be worth £11,239 as of March 2026, representing a +1024.0% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Associated British Foods plc (ABF) has averaged a monthly return of +0.75% with a median return of +0.30%. The stock had 235 positive months (52%) and 215 negative months (48%). The best month in ABF's history was November 2020 with a +24.3% return, while the worst was March 2020 at -19.6%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +4.0%), and September the weakest (-2.0%).
ABF's longest winning streak was 7 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 2013 with a cumulative return of +48.8%, and the worst was 1999 at -58.2%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Associated British Foods plc (ABF) has delivered an average annual return of +9.02% with a median return of +7.40%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +6.45%. The stock posted gains in 25 years (66%) and losses in 13 years (34%).
ABF's best year was 2013 with a +56.35% gain, while the worst was 1999 at -46.92%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 10, and the longest losing streak was 3 years. ABF achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 15 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 9 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | -12.46% | £2,127.00 | £1,862.00 |
| 2025 | +4.14% | £2,042.39 | £2,127.00 |
| 2024 | -13.65% | £2,365.36 | £2,042.39 |
| 2023 | +50.23% | £1,574.49 | £2,365.36 |
| 2022 | -21.49% | £2,005.55 | £1,574.49 |
| 2021 | -11.29% | £2,260.77 | £2,005.55 |
| 2020 | -12.86% | £2,594.29 | £2,260.77 |
| 2019 | +27.19% | £2,039.70 | £2,594.29 |
| 2018 | -27.54% | £2,814.90 | £2,039.70 |
| 2017 | +2.75% | £2,739.65 | £2,814.90 |
| 2016 | -17.85% | £3,335.05 | £2,739.65 |
| 2015 | +6.01% | £3,146.11 | £3,335.05 |
| 2014 | +28.97% | £2,439.39 | £3,146.11 |
| 2013 | +56.35% | £1,560.17 | £2,439.39 |
| 2012 | +41.31% | £1,104.06 | £1,560.17 |
| 2011 | -6.24% | £1,177.60 | £1,104.06 |
| 2010 | +43.71% | £819.45 | £1,177.60 |
| 2009 | +12.63% | £727.54 | £819.45 |
| 2008 | -18.82% | £896.22 | £727.54 |
| 2007 | +8.99% | £822.31 | £896.22 |
| 2006 | -1.59% | £835.56 | £822.31 |
| 2005 | +7.52% | £777.13 | £835.56 |
| 2004 | +33.70% | £581.25 | £777.13 |
| 2003 | -0.66% | £585.08 | £581.25 |
| 2002 | +18.34% | £494.42 | £585.08 |
| 2001 | -1.27% | £500.77 | £494.42 |
| 2000 | +47.05% | £340.54 | £500.77 |
| 1999 | -46.92% | £641.59 | £340.54 |
| 1998 | +7.28% | £598.04 | £641.59 |
| 1997 | +9.41% | £546.59 | £598.04 |
| 1996 | +31.33% | £416.20 | £546.59 |
| 1995 | +30.88% | £317.99 | £416.20 |
| 1994 | +0.21% | £317.34 | £317.99 |
| 1993 | +10.64% | £286.82 | £317.34 |
| 1992 | +7.84% | £265.97 | £286.82 |
| 1991 | +12.11% | £237.23 | £265.97 |
| 1990 | +0.96% | £234.98 | £237.23 |
| 1989 | +35.83% | £172.99 | £234.98 |
ABF Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Associated British Foods plc as an investment
Valuation
ABF currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 13.1, which is considered low relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 10.3 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 119.9. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.7.
Dividends
Associated British Foods plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.38%. This translates to £0.63 per share annually. The payout ratio of 44% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
ABF has a beta of 0.89, indicating it is similarly volatile to the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £1810.00 to £2359.00, and it currently trades near its 52-week low.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 18 analyst opinions, ABF has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of £1953.61 suggests 4.9% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: ABF
What sector is ABF in? ▼
ABF operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Packaged Foods industry.
How has ABF performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, ABF has posted gains in 25 years (66% of the time). The best year was 2013 with a +56.4% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in ABF? ▼
You can invest in ABF through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold ABF.
Does ABF pay dividends? ▼
Associated British Foods plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.38%. This translates to £0.63 per share annually. The payout ratio of 44% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Associated British Foods plc do? ▼
Associated British Foods plc is a Packaged Foods company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
What sector is ABF in? ▼
ABF operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Packaged Foods industry.
When did ABF go public? ▼
Associated British Foods plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in ABF 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in ABF five years ago would be worth approximately £758 today, representing a -24.2% return.
Does ABF pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Associated British Foods plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.38%, which is £0.63 per share annually.
What is ABF's market cap? ▼
Associated British Foods plc has a market capitalization of £13 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is ABF's P/E ratio? ▼
ABF has a trailing P/E ratio of 13.1 and a forward P/E of 10.3, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is ABF a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 18 opinions, ABF has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is £1953.61.
Last updated: 3/14/2026