2023 Annual Results Announcement

07/11/2023

George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods

At the outset of this financial year the Group was facing very significant economic challenges caused in part by major geo-political events. Looking back on the year, it is clear to me that the Group performed extremely well and is as a result now well positioned for the year ahead.

Trading at Primark was excellent under the circumstances. At the beginning of the year we implemented selective price increases partially to protect profitability, on the grounds that the significant input cost inflation was temporary. That careful pricing delivered as intended, with customers continuing to shop with us enthusiastically. Profitability in our food businesses moved ahead as a result of the appeal of our products and the strength of our brands, both of which supported us in the recovery of high levels of input cost inflation without disrupting our customer relationships.

Although consumer demand remains uncertain, Primark is as well placed as it has ever been. We continue to believe that Primark’s offer is very attractive not just to existing customers but also to new customers engaged by our digital platform, new store openings, and word of mouth which remains as powerful as ever. With Primark margin now moving back to its historic levels, we view the future for this business with confidence. Our food businesses are also in very good shape, and our Sugar business especially should see much better profitability in the year ahead.

Associated British Foods plc results for the 52 weeks ended 16 September 2023

Financial Headlines

	2023	2022	Actual currency	Constant currency
Group revenue	£19,750m	£16,997m	+16%	+15%
Adjusted operating profit	£1,513m	£1,435m	+5%	+4%
Adjusted profit before tax	£1,473m	£1,356m	+9%
Adjusted earnings per share	141.8p	131.1p	+8%
Operating profit	£1,383m	£1,178m	+17%
Profit before tax	£1,340m	£1,076m	+25%
Basic earnings per share	134.2p	88.6p	+51%
Gross investment	£1,171m	£930m	+26%
Free cash flow	£269m	£(84)m
Net cash before lease liabilities	£895m	£1,488m
Total net debt	£2,265m	£1,764m
Return on Average Capital Employed (ROACE)	13.6%	14.0%
Total dividends per share	60.0p	43.7p	+37%

Performance

Strong performance in demanding environment
- Significant growth in Group sales driven in large part by pricing actions
- Resilient growth in Group adjusted operating profit
Continued momentum across Retail
- Revenues well ahead at £9.0bn, supported by selective pricing and well received ranges
- Adjusted operating profit 3% lower at £735m with margin of 2% reflecting our decisions on pricing
- Space expansion on track with 27 new stores in the year
- Continued investment in digital capability with completion of enhanced website rollout and Click + Collect expansion
Significant profit growth at Ingredients
Good growth in Grocery led by international brands, US focused brands and recovery in Allied Bakeries
Sugar sales well ahead, profitability ahead but impacted by more challenging British Sugar crop conditions and Vivergo
Lower profitability at Agriculture due to tough market conditions
Investment of £1.2bn with a number of strategic initiatives driving increased capacity and capability
Good progress on ESG priorities
Free cash flow of £269m with higher profit, offset by higher capital investment and reduced working capital outflow

Shareholder returns

Initial £500m buyback programme concluded end of Additional £500m buyback programme announced
Total dividends of 0p per share up 37% comprising interim of 14.2p per share, final proposed of 33.1p per share and special dividend of 12.7p per share

The Group has defined, and outlined the purpose of, its Alternative performance measures (APMs) in note 13. These measures are used within the Financial Headlines and in this Annual Results Announcement.

References to growth in the following commentary are based on constant currency unless stated otherwise.

For further information please contact:

Associated British Foods:

Tel: 020 7399 6545

Eoin Tonge, Finance Director

Chris Barrie, Corporate Affairs Director

Citigate Dewe Rogerson:

Tel: 020 7638 9571

Holly Gillis Tel: 07940 797560

Jos Bieneman Tel:07834 336 650

Angharad Couch Tel: 07507 643 004

ABF Annual Results Announcement