Shares of Associated British Foods plc (LON: ABF) surged higher today after the company announced that it expects to make a bigger profit from Primark sales as compared to last year despite the coronavirus lockdown measures.
The food processing and retailing company issued a trading update where it revealed that its losses from the Autumn coronavirus lockdown measures were likely to come in at £430 million, which was higher than the £375 million figure announced in November.
Primark contributes a big chunk of AB Foods, profits and the fact that most of its stores have reopened with the exception of 34 stores is good news for the food company.
Ready to put what you’ve learned into practice?
Try IG’s platform with £10,000 in virtual funds and practise trading
without putting your own money at risk.
Try IG with a demo account →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Learn the markets with IG Academy
Build your knowledge with IG Academy educational content, then use a
demo account to practise what you’ve learned on the IG platform.
Explore IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
See how trading works before risking real money
IG’s demo gives you access to thousands of markets and £10,000 in
virtual funds, so you can explore the platform and test your ideas first.
Open an IG demo →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Turn trading theory into practical experience
Learn with IG Academy, explore charts and market tools, and practise
strategies in a simulated trading environment before going live.
Start practising with IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Ready to take your learning further?
IG combines market education, analysis and an established trading platform,
giving you the tools to keep learning as you develop your trading skills.
Discover IG →
Spread bets and CFDs are complex instruments and come with a high risk of losing money rapidly due to leverage. 69% of retail investor accounts lose money when trading spread bets and CFDs with this provider.
Michael McLintock, the Chairman of AB Foods explained that: “Following the UK’s exit from the EU, our businesses have completed all practical preparations for the end of the transition period this month and contingency plans are in place should our businesses experience some disruption at that time,”
The fast-fashion retailer has opened two stores in the US and Spain and its first-ever store in Rome, Italy, which is why AB Foods expects Primark sales this year to be better than last year’s figures.
AB Foods share price

ABF shares today surged 2.56% to trade at 2362p having rallied from Thursday’s closing price of 2303p.
People who read this also read: