AB Foods slumps as majority shareholder sells 10.3m shares

31st May 2024 07:14

(Sharecast News) - Associated British Foods was in the red on Friday after UBS said that its biggest shareholder, Howard Investments Limited - a wholly-owned subsidiary of Wittington - has sold 10.3m shares in the Primark owner in a placing.

The shares were sold to institutional investors by way of an accelerated bookbuild process at 2,550p each, raising gross proceeds of approximately £262m. UBS acted as bookrunner in connection with the lacing.

Following completion of the placing, Howard and Whittington will retain a 56.1% stake.

"Once the remainder of the £500 million share buyback programme announced by ABF with its last full year results in November 2023 has completed, the combined shareholding is expected to be broadly in line with its level prior to the commencement of the FY24 Buyback, which was 56.4%," it said.

At 0900 BST, the shares were down 2.9% at 2,582p.