LONDON--Associated British Foods PLC (ABF.LN), a diversified
international food, ingredients and retail group, said Friday
trading in the first two months of the new financial year has been
good, primarily driven by Primark where the momentum that delivered
the strong finish to last year has continued, but the critical
Christmas trading period lies ahead.
MAIN FACTS:
-AB Foods expects a reduction in profit from AB Sugar for the
full year, as a result of lower E.U. production, but this would be
more than offset by further growth at Primark and some recovery in
Grocery.
-Expect group to make some further progress in this new
financial year but, in contrast to last year, this will be weighted
towards the first half.
-Shares at 1105 GMT up 10 pence, or 0.68%, at 1485 pence valuing
the company at 11.68 billion pounds.
-Write to Ian Walker at ian.walker@dowjones.com
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