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ABF Associated British Foods Plc

1,912.50
-0.50 (-0.03%)
Last Updated: 15:54:45
Delayed by 15 minutes
Share Name Share Symbol Market Type Share ISIN Share Description
Associated British Foods Plc LSE:ABF London Ordinary Share GB0006731235 ORD 5 15/22P
  Price Change % Change Share Price Bid Price Offer Price High Price Low Price Open Price Shares Traded Last Trade
  -0.50 -0.03% 1,912.50 1,912.00 1,913.00 1,919.00 1,904.50 1,916.00 229,769 15:54:45
Industry Sector Turnover Profit EPS - Basic PE Ratio Market Cap
Textile Goods, Nec 20.07B 1.46B 1.9867 9.63 14.01B

Associated British Foods PLC Half Yearly Report (2697F)

23/04/2014 7:00am

UK Regulatory


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RNS Number : 2697F

Associated British Foods PLC

23 April 2014

For release 23 April 2014

Associated British Foods plc announces its

interim results for the 24 weeks ended 1 March 2014

Associated British Foods delivers 10% growth in earnings per share

Highlights

 
 --   Group revenue down 2% to GBP6,206m 
 --   Adjusted operating profit up 1% at GBP497m * 
 --   Adjusted profit before tax up 4% at GBP468m * 
 --   Adjusted earnings per share up 10% at 45.8p * 
 --   Dividend per share up 4% to 9.70p 
 --   Net debt GBP827m after net capital investment of GBP328m 
 --   Operating profit up 2% to GBP463m, profit before tax up 6% at GBP434m 
       and basic earnings per share up 12% to 43.2p 
 

George Weston, Chief Executive of Associated British Foods, said:

"The group as a whole has delivered a very resilient operational and financial result at a challenging time of transition for our European sugar business."

 
*  before amortisation of non-operating intangibles and profits less losses 
    on the disposal of non-current assets 
 
 
 
 All figures stated after amortisation of non-operating intangibles, 
 profits less losses on the disposal of non-current assets, and profits 
 less losses on the sale and closure of businesses are shown on the face 
 of the condensed consolidated income statement. 
 
 
 For further information please contact: 
 Associated British Foods: 
 Until 15.00 only 
 George Weston, Chief Executive 
 John Bason, Finance Director 
 Tel: 020 7638 9571 
 Chris Barrie/Eleni Menikou, Citigate Dewe Rogerson 
 Tel: 020 7638 9571 
 
  Jonathan Clare 
  Tel: 07770 321881 
 After 15.00 
 John Bason, Finance Director 
  Flic Howard-Allen, Head of External 
  Affairs 
 Tel: 020 7399 6500 
 

Note to editors:

The results for the year ended 14 September 2013, and the interim results for the 24 weeks ended 2 March 2013, have been restated upon adoption of IAS19 Employee Benefits Revised. The impact of this restatement on the income statement and segmental analysis is summarised below:

 
                                 24 weeks ended 2 March     Year ended 14 September 
                                  2013                       2013 
                                   restated    previously     restated     previously 
                                                 reported                    reported 
 
 Adjusted operating profit 
  (GBPm)                                493           496        1,180          1,185 
 Adjusted profit before 
  tax (GBPm)                            448           452        1,088          1,096 
 Adjusted earnings (GBPm)               328           331          775            781 
 
  Adjusted earnings per 
  share (p)                            41.5          41.9         98.1           98.9 
 
 
 Segmental analysis 
 
   Adjusted operating profit: 
 Grocery (GBPm)                          96            97          230            232 
 Sugar (GBPm)                           162           163          434            435 
 Retail (GBPm)                          237           238          513            514 
 Central (GBPm)                        (24)          (24)         (51)           (50) 
 
 

These adjustments only affect the United Kingdom geographic segment.

ASSOCIATED BRITISH FOODS plc

INTERIM RESULTS ANNOUNCEMENT

FOR THE 24 WEEKS ENDED 1 MARCH 2014

CHAIRMAN'S STATEMENT

I am pleased to report interim results for the group that deliver adjusted earnings growth of 10% in the face of a strengthening of sterling and much lower sugar prices. This was achieved with the benefit of strong performances from Primark and Grocery, an encouraging improvement at Ingredients and a lower interest charge which was, in large part, due to the group's strong cash flow.

Revenue in the first half fell by 2% and adjusted operating profit increased by 1%. Revenue in our food businesses was lower than last year primarily because of food commodity deflation, particularly sugar. At constant currency, revenues were 1% ahead of last year and first half profits, when further adjusted for businesses disposed, were 3% higher. Sterling was stronger than most of our major currencies in the first half and strengthened markedly towards the end of the period. If these rates persist, the translation impact on full year profits would be in the order of GBP50m.

Net financing costs in the period were GBP14m lower than last year's first half, resulting from a reduced level of net borrowings and the repayment, last July, of British Sugar's GBP150m 10 3/4 % debenture. The underlying tax rate of 23.5% is below the 25.7% applied to first half profits last year, reflecting the lower UK corporation tax rate applicable in the current year and a higher proportion of profit earned in territories with lower rates. Adjusted earnings were 10% ahead at 45.8p per share.

AB Sugar has been severely affected this year by the decline in sugar prices. The impact in the EU is exacerbated by an intensification of competition ahead of quota abolition in 2017. In this environment, AB Sugar's continued drive for efficiency improvement from the sharing of best practice around the group is all the more important. This programme is now well embedded and has delivered benefits in the period. Our sugar operations are well invested with highly efficient and cost-competitive plants, and in Europe are well placed to succeed in the post-reform environment.

Primark delivered an operating profit 26% ahead of the same period last year, with an increased margin. Another 0.6 million sq ft of retail selling space was added including our first two stores in France, in Marseille and Dijon. Primark has an active schedule of store openings planned for the second half, and the pipeline of new stores for the future is as full as it has ever been. We have also announced today that we will be taking Primark to the north-east of the USA with the opening of a number of stores, the first of which we expect to begin trading towards the end of 2015.

In the immediate aftermath of last year's collapse of Rana Plaza in Bangladesh, Primark promised that it would meet its responsibilities in full and that it would pay long-term compensation to the workers employed by its supplier, New Wave Bottoms, or their dependants. Primark has worked diligently with local partners in Bangladesh to establish a rigorous, sustainable approach to compensation and has begun making long-term payments totalling US$9m. Primark also paid US$2m in short-term aid to the families of all the workers employed at Rana Plaza, most of whom were making clothes for its competitors. It has agreed a further payment of US$1m to the Rana Plaza Donors Trust Fund (Trust Fund) chaired by the International Labour Organization bringing the total that Primark is paying to US$12m, of which US$7m was provided in last year's results and US$5m has been charged in the year to date. We support the International Labour Organization in urging other retailers sourcing from Rana Plaza to donate to the Trust Fund so that it can pay out in full to the remaining victims.

The safety of the staff we employ both directly, and indirectly through our suppliers, is a high priority for the group, and the Rana Plaza tragedy underlined the imperative for change in the Bangladeshi garment industry. Primark signed the Accord on Fire and Building Safety which was developed as a direct response to the disaster and was designed to ensure improved and assured building safety in Bangladesh. We have also completed a programme of structural assessments of factories producing for us in the country.

The recovery in Grocery profit seen in the second half of last year has continued with a substantial improvement from George Weston Foods in Australia and a higher profit from ACH. Twinings Ovaltine has consistently delivered sales and profit growth over a number of years, and has done so again this period.

Our cash flow improved for the third successive year. The cash outflow before funding in the first half had the benefit of a substantially lower working capital outflow. Capital expenditure was in line with last year although the total amount spent on new stores and extensions for Primark was more than a third higher, with an equivalent reduction in expenditure by the food businesses. This strong cash performance and a translation benefit on US dollar borrowings reduced net debt by GBP510m from last half year to GBP827m at the period end.

On 5 March we repaid US$196m of private placement financing, with an average coupon of 6.75%, which will reduce our interest charge further. There is no immediate need to replace this financing as the headroom between the group's borrowing facilities and projected levels of net debt is sufficient to meet the ongoing needs of the business.

Dividends

The board has declared an interim dividend of 9.70p per share, an increase of 4% on last year. The dividend will be paid on 4 July 2014 to shareholders registered at the close of business on 6 June 2014.

Outlook

Lower sugar prices will result, as previously indicated, in a substantial reduction in profit from Sugar this year and the current strength of sterling, if maintained, will have a greater impact on translation of overseas results in the second half. However, as Primark builds upon the success achieved in the first half and with further store expansion planned for the remainder of the year, Retail profits are expected to be well ahead. When combined with improvements in Grocery and Ingredients and a lower interest charge, we continue to expect adjusted earnings per share for the financial year to be similar to 2013.

Charles Sinclair

Chairman

23 April 2014

OPERATING REVIEW

Adjusted operating profit increased by 1% to GBP497m in the first half, on group revenues that were 2% lower than last year at GBP6.2bn. At constant currency, first half profits were 2% ahead and when further adjusted for businesses disposed of last year, were 3% higher. Revenues from continuing operations at constant currency were 1% ahead.

Strong performances from Primark and Grocery and an encouraging improvement at Ingredients more than offset a substantially lower profit from Sugar. Together with the benefit of lower interest and tax charges, adjusted earnings per share increased by 10%. At a challenging time of transition for our European sugar business, the rest of the group has clearly delivered a very strong operational and financial performance.

At AB Sugar, agricultural performance was much improved, many factories achieved record results and cost savings were successfully delivered by a continuous improvement and overhead reduction programme. The profit reduction was driven by low world sugar prices and a rapid change in the EU sugar market ahead of regime reform in 2017. Our EU sugar operations are well placed to succeed in the post-reform environment with highly efficient and well-invested factories. Africa continues to offer low-cost production and growth opportunities, and profitability in China will improve as our investment in agricultural development yields sustainable benefit.

Primark delivered on many fronts this period. Trading performance was again excellent with like-for-like growth of 4%, building on the 7% achieved in the first half last year, and with a higher operating profit margin. We opened 16 new stores and each was greeted with a high degree of excitement. The success of our stores across continental Europe is now well established and has extended to our first stores in France. From its first store opening in Spain in 2006, Primark has demonstrated that its concept can travel and we have now announced that we will be opening stores in the north-east of the USA later next year.

Grocery benefited from much-improved profitability at George Weston Foods in Australia and a stronger performance from the oils business at ACH in North America. Twinings Ovaltine achieved further growth but profit from the UK Grocery businesses was held back by lower sugar prices and volumes at Silver Spoon. With the benefit of no restructuring costs and an improved performance from yeast and bakery ingredients, profit at Ingredients rallied and, whilst there is still a long way to go to restore margins in this business to acceptable levels, good progress is being made.

The results of the prior year have been restated to reflect the adoption of the revised IAS 19 Employee Benefits. This had the effect of reducing the 2013 half year adjusted operating profit and adjusted earnings per share by GBP3m and 0.4p respectively.

SUGAR

 
                          2014    2013 
 Revenue GBPm             1,027   1,323 
                         ------  ------ 
 Operating profit GBPm     64      162 
                         ------  ------ 
 

Sugar revenues in the first half were 22% below last year driven by substantially lower sugar prices and by lower volumes in all markets. As a consequence, operating profit in the first half was significantly reduced, even with the benefit of the non-repeat of last year's GBP22m charge for the mothballing of our two smallest beet sugar factories in north China.

Favourable growing conditions through the mild winter in the UK resulted in the crop continuing to grow into the new calendar year, with good beet quality and high sugar content. All factories operated very well and sugar production is estimated to be 1.32 million tonnes, a record for the period since regime reform in 2006, and compares with last year's 1.15 million tonnes. Production volumes at the Vivergo bioethanol plant in Hull have increased steadily but profitability was adversely affected by lower ethanol prices.

In Spain, the northern campaign was delayed to maximise beet development from the reduced area under cultivation in the 2013 crop year. Although the campaign commenced well, adverse weather towards the end of the period resulted in challenging harvest conditions and an interrupted campaign at our La Beñeza factory. The crop in the south is well established and growing conditions have been excellent. Production in the south is expected to be almost double that of last year, which will help to mitigate the lower volumes in the north, and we expect to produce 330,000 tonnes of beet sugar, compared with 405,000 tonnes last year. The Guadalete refinery is expected to produce 200,000 tonnes of refined cane sugar and a further 64,000 tonnes of co-refined cane sugar will be produced at the northern beet plants.

Sugar production for the Illovo season ended March 2014 increased from 1.75 million tonnes last year to 1.84 million tonnes this year. However, revenues and profits in the first half were below last year primarily due to lower prices. Domestic prices in Tanzania and South Africa were affected in particular by low-cost imports. Our business in Malawi has continued to be affected by further devaluation of the kwacha and associated high inflation in the country. In recent years Illovo has invested in the development of value-added co-products, the most recent example being the new Tanzanian distillery for potable alcohol which has consistently achieved its designed throughput levels with excellent product quality throughout the period.

All five factories in south China had good campaigns with sugar content and extraction both ahead of last year, compensating for the smaller area under cultivation. Sugar production in the south is expected to be slightly ahead of last year at 526,000 tonnes. Production in the north was seriously reduced by flooding in Heilongjiang and, with fewer factories in operation following last year's rationalisation, volumes are expected to be 116,000 tonnes. The campaigns at Qianqi and Zhangbei were both excellent with good factory throughput and higher sugar content in the beet. This year has seen a further deterioration in sugar prices as a high level of imports have left the market heavily in surplus. Significant overhead and efficiency improvements have been achieved in both regions resulting in a net improvement in the underlying operating loss.

Lower EU sales volumes and prices are expected to persist throughout the second half although, encouragingly, world sugar prices have shown some improvement recently. Sugar profits in the second half will be substantially lower than last year as a result.

Agriculture

 
                          2014   2013 
 Revenue GBPm             625    641 
                         -----  ----- 
 Operating profit GBPm     19     20 
                         -----  ----- 
 

Revenue and operating profit in the first half were similar to last year at both constant currency and actual rates. Lower UK feed revenues were partly offset by growth in China and a strong performance at AB Vista.

Sales revenues in our UK feed business, AB Connect, were lower than last year as commodity prices eased. Pig and poultry feed saw some import price pressure and ruminant feed was in strong demand despite a plentiful supply of forage. Lower raw material prices also led to a reduction in revenue for Premier Nutrition despite premix volumes being ahead of last year. Starter feed volumes were also higher, driven by further growth in exports. Investment was made in new capacity at our highly automated production facility at Rugeley.

AB Vista delivered good sales and profit growth in the period driven by further success for Quantum Blue in South America, Asia Pacific and particularly in North America. Having recently received EU approval, Quantum Blue is now licensed for sale in all of our major markets. Successful commissioning of the feed enzyme granulation line at the extrusion plant in Evansville, Indiana, was completed in the period, providing a platform for future growth.

Frontier benefited from strong demand for seed and crop inputs. Winter wheat plantings were substantially ahead of last year and fine conditions in the autumn of 2013 enabled cereals and winter oilseed rape to become well established. However, the grain trading market was challenging in 2013, following the smallest UK wheat crop in many years, with demand being met by higher imports.

In China, although the traditional market for pigs saw some improvement, consumer concerns over food safety resulted in a softening of demand for poultry. Revenues and profit from feed sales were ahead of last year but profit was held back by a smaller sugar beet crop. Meat production in China is modernising from traditionally small, family-run concerns to large-scale commercial operations, and construction of new feed mills at Rudong and Zhenlai to supply these large integrated meat processors has progressed well.

GROCERY

 
                          2014    2013 
 Revenue GBPm             1,767   1,832 
                         ------  ------ 
 Operating profit GBPm     126     96 
                         ------  ------ 
 

Grocery revenue in the first half was 2% ahead of last year at constant currency, but 4% below last year at actual exchange rates. Currency movements had little net effect on adjusted operating profit which was much improved at GBP126m, 31% ahead of last year. The primary drivers of this profit improvement were George Weston Foods in Australia where good progress has been made, particularly in milling and baking, and at ACH Foods in the US.

Twinings Ovaltine again performed well with strong sales growth for tea, particularly in the US where teabags and K-Cups both achieved double-digit growth. We are the leading tea brand in the fast-growing K-Cup dispenser format. Further growth was driven in the UK, by green teas and infusions, and in France where we relaunched English Breakfast. Further investment was made in high-speed tea packaging equipment at Andover and we have also completed construction of a new packaging plant for Ovaltine in Nigeria which will enhance our ability to service this important developing market.

Allied Bakeries made progress in the highly competitive UK bread market with volumes and margins both ahead of last year. The Kingsmill 50/50 range continued to be the main stimulus of growth, although the much smaller Allinson brand also achieved significant gains, both brands being supported by television advertising in the period. A new bread plant was commissioned at West Bromwich as we approach the end of a major capital investment programme in our UK bakeries. This programme delivers less waste, better control of our processes, consistently high-quality bread and lower energy usage.

Jordans and Ryvita both achieved further sales growth and gained market share in their core markets. Ryvita Thins were the principal driver of the increase in the UK, buoyed by the new varieties launched last year, and production has been successfully transferred from a third party to our newly commissioned line in Poole. Jordans Country Crisp and Granola, which was relaunched in resealable packaging, also performed well. Internationally, both brands achieved strong growth with targeted marketing and good distribution gains, particularly in France and Canada. Westmill grew volumes in the ethnic wholesale market with further share gains for Lucky Boat noodles and Elephant Atta chapatti flour, while Patak's performed well for AB World Foods, both in the UK and internationally. Revenue at Silver Spoon was well below last year as a result of lost contracts and considerably lower UK sugar pricing. The impact on profit was partially mitigated by overhead cost reduction. New products resulted in further gains for Truvia, the stevia-based zero-calorie sweetener, strengthening its position as market leader in the category.

Sales at George Weston Foods in Australia were ahead of last year in local currency, driven by higher bread prices and increased meat volumes. Don KRC secured a number of incremental sales contracts with major customers, recognising our improved service levels and consistent product quality. Both businesses made progress with cost reduction, and an improved product mix further contributed to an increased baking profit. Don KRC achieved further productivity improvements which contributed to better yields at its factory in Castlemaine, and labour cost initiatives also delivered favourable results.

Sales volumes at ACH were ahead of last year, largely the result of higher corn oil demand but also with the launch of a number of new baking products, and new seasonings and flavours within the Spice Islands range. Capullo, our premium oil brand in Mexico, continued to benefit from its successful relaunch and gained both volume and market share. Profit in both the US and Mexico improved with the benefit of lower input costs.

INGREDIENTS

 
 Continuing operations    2014   2013 
 Revenue GBPm             509    527 
                         -----  ----- 
 Operating profit GBPm     15     - 
                         -----  ----- 
 

Revenue in the first half from continuing operations was 4% ahead of last year at constant currency but 3% lower at actual exchange rates. Profit from continuing operations was well ahead of last year's break-even result, and would have been GBP3m higher but for exchange rate movements, notably in South America. The result benefited from the absence of the one-time cost of closing dry yeast production in Italy last year, and there were early signs of improvement in yeast and bakery ingredients. Last year's results have been adjusted to reflect the disposal in August 2013 of the US whey protein business.

While many of AB Mauri's markets remain competitive, particularly Asia, a number of new initiatives have started to yield positive results. Good revenue growth was achieved across South America and cost inflation was either recovered through pricing or offset by improvements in efficiency. Revenue and profit were also ahead in North America driven by higher volumes and a focus on business development. The new yeast factory in Mexico is supplying the markets of North and Central America. Our yeast factory at Xinjiang in China is now one of the highest-quality dry yeast plants in AB Mauri and, as a result of further efficiency initiatives, amongst the lowest cost.

On 31 January 2014 AB Mauri completed the acquisition of a small bakery ingredients business operating across Western Europe which offers craft and industrial customers a range of high-quality bakery ingredients. Its integration will broaden our product range and strengthen our presence in a number of key markets.

At ABF Ingredients, growth was achieved in bakery enzymes and the development of feed enzymes, in conjunction with AB Vista, was very positive and saw strong customer demand. The new extrusion factory at Evansville, Indiana, in the US, is fully operational and products have been approved by key customers. Closure of the yeast extracts plant in China was completed with a number of contracts successfully transferred to our Hamburg facility where plant reliability has also been improved.

RETAIL

 
                          2014    2013 
 Revenue GBPm             2,278   1,997 
                         ------  ------ 
 Operating profit GBPm     298     237 
                         ------  ------ 
 

Primark's sales in the first half were 14% ahead of last year and profits were 26% ahead; an excellent performance by any standard.

At constant currency, sales were 13% higher, driven by 4% like-for-like sales growth, an increase in retail selling space and superior sales densities in the larger new stores. Like-for-like sales in the first eight weeks of the financial year were held back by strong comparatives in the previous year but the rest of the period, including Christmas, saw excellent trading. Spain and Portugal achieved double-digit like-for-like growth and trading in our northern continental European stores in Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium and Austria, was very strong. In December we opened our first French store in Marseille which was closely followed by Dijon in February, and early trading from both has been very encouraging.

Operating profit margin of 13.1% was higher than in the same period last year, benefiting from warehouse and distribution efficiencies and lower freight rates.

This was an active period for new store openings. Retail selling space increased by 0.6 million sq ft since the last financial year end, and by 0.7 million sq ft, or 8%, since the 2013 half year. At 1 March 2014, we were trading from 269 stores and 9.6 million sq ft of selling space. We opened 16 new stores in the period including the two stores in France with 63,000 sq ft in Marseille and 44,000 sq ft in Dijon. In Spain we opened six new stores and closed the smaller of our two stores in La Coruña and Zaragoza, bringing the total there to 39. Three further stores were added in the UK, including Crawley where we relocated to a larger site, and we also closed our small store in Leytonstone. Two new stores were added in the Netherlands and one each in Germany, Austria and Portugal.

We expect to add a further 0.5 million sq ft of selling space in this financial year, bringing the net additions for the year to 1.1 million sq ft which is substantially more than the 0.8 million achieved in 2013. The additional stores will include a further three in France, located in shopping centres in the suburbs of Paris, two of which opened in recent weeks; two additional German stores, our second in Berlin and one in Cologne; three new UK stores including a relocation in Cardiff; and we will also relocate our Plenilunio store, our first in Spain, to a location twice its size. As we opened no stores in the second half of last year, these openings will accelerate the 8% selling space growth achieved in the first half.

To support the rapid expansion of selling space in continental Europe, work is under way to increase our warehouse capacity in Germany and Spain which we expect to complete by the end of this year. Capital expenditure on new stores and refits for the full year is planned to be ahead of last year.

Looking beyond this current financial year we have a good pipeline of new stores. We announced today that, after extensive research, we have decided to take the Primark concept to consumers in the north-east of the USA. Primark has signed a lease for some 70,000 sq ft of selling space in the historic Burnham Building, which is currently being renovated, at Downtown Crossing in the heart of Boston, Massachusetts. The site was previously home to Boston's famous Filene's Department Store and is planned to open as a new Primark store towards the end of 2015. Negotiations are under way to open further stores in the north-east through to the middle of 2016. The US stores will be supported by warehousing in the region.

George Weston

Chief Executive

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

 
 
                                                                               52 weeks 
                                                               24 weeks 
                                                                  ended           ended 
                                                  24 weeks 
                                                     ended      2 March    14 September 
                                                   1 March         2013            2013 
                                                      2014   (restated)      (restated) 
                                                      GBPm         GBPm            GBPm 
Continuing operations                       Note 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
Revenue                                      1       6,206        6,333          13,315 
Operating costs                                    (5,743)      (5,882)        (12,240) 
                                                       463          451           1,075 
Share of (loss)/profit after tax from 
 joint ventures and associates                         (1)            5              13 
Profits less losses on disposal of 
 non-current assets                                      1            -               - 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
Operating profit                                       463          456           1,088 
 
Adjusted operating profit                    1         497          493           1,180 
Profits less losses on disposal of 
 non-current assets                                      1            -               - 
Amortisation of non-operating intangibles             (35)         (37)            (92) 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
 
Profits less losses on sale and closure 
 of businesses                                           -            -           (128) 
------------------------------------------  ---- 
Profit before interest                                 463          456             960 
Finance income                                           9            6              13 
Finance expense                                       (38)         (49)           (100) 
Other financial expense                                  -          (2)             (5) 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
Profit before taxation                                 434          411             868 
 
Adjusted profit before taxation                        468          448           1,088 
Profits less losses on disposal of 
 non-current assets                                      1            -               - 
Amortisation of non-operating intangibles             (35)         (37)            (92) 
Profits less losses on sale and closure 
 of businesses                                           -            -           (128) 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
 
  Taxation - UK                                       (49)         (55)           (111) 
              - Overseas                              (51)         (50)           (129) 
                                             2       (100)        (105)           (240) 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
Profit for the period                                  334          306             628 
==========================================  ====  ========  ===========  ============== 
 
Attributable to: 
Equity shareholders                                    341          304             585 
Non-controlling interests                              (7)            2              43 
------------------------------------------  ----  --------  -----------  -------------- 
Profit for the period                                  334          306             628 
==========================================  ====  ========  ===========  ============== 
 
Basic and diluted earnings per ordinary 
 share (pence)                               3        43.2         38.5            74.0 
Dividends per share paid and proposed 
 for the period (pence)                      4         9.7         9.35            32.0 
 

References throughout this Interim Results Announcement to the restatement of data for the 24 weeks ended 2 March 2013 and the 52 weeks ended 14 September 2013 relate to the adoption of revised IAS19 Employee Benefits - see note 9.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

 
 
                                                  24 weeks    24 weeks      52 weeks 
                                                     ended       ended         ended 
                                                   1 March     2 March  14 September 
                                                      2014        2013          2013 
                                                            (restated)    (restated) 
                                                      GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
 
Profit for the period recognised in the 
 income statement                                      334         306           628 
 
Other comprehensive income 
 
Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined benefit 
 schemes                                              (56)       (114)            33 
Deferred tax associated with defined benefit 
 schemes                                                12          27           (7) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
Items that will not be reclassified to 
 profit or loss                                       (44)        (87)            26 
 
Effect of movements in foreign exchange              (292)         247         (114) 
Net gain/(loss) on hedge of net investment 
 in foreign subsidiaries                                38        (57)          (20) 
Deferred tax associated with movements 
 in foreign exchange                                     -           1             2 
Reclassification adjustment for movements 
 in foreign exchange on subsidiaries disposed            -           -             7 
Movement in cash flow hedging position                 (7)          24             6 
Deferred tax associated with movement 
 in cash flow hedging position                           2         (5)           (2) 
Share of other comprehensive income of 
 joint ventures and associates                         (7)           2             - 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
Items that are or may be subsequently 
 reclassified to profit or loss                      (266)         212         (121) 
 
Other comprehensive income for the period            (310)         125          (95) 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Total comprehensive income for the period               24         431           533 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Attributable to 
Equity shareholders                                     80         439           527 
Non-controlling interests                             (56)         (8)             6 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
Total comprehensive income for the period               24         431           533 
----------------------------------------------  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

 
                                  1 March      2 March   14 September 
                                     2014         2013           2013 
                                            (restated)     (restated) 
                                     GBPm         GBPm           GBPm 
 Non-current assets 
 Intangible assets                  1,484        1,771          1,581 
 Property, plant and equipment      4,506        4,779          4,552 
 Biological assets                     88           92             97 
 Investments in joint ventures        179          184            182 
 Investments in associates             34           39             36 
 Employee benefits assets              25            3             81 
 Deferred tax assets                  218          203            273 
 Other receivables                    163          154            148 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 Total non-current assets           6,697        7,225          6,950 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Current assets 
 Inventories                        1,650        1,795          1,581 
 Biological assets                     98          115            112 
 Trade and other receivables        1,259        1,403          1,342 
 Derivative assets                     31           40             27 
 Cash and cash equivalents            311          218            362 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 Total current assets               3,349        3,571          3,424 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 TOTAL ASSETS                      10,046       10,796         10,374 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Current liabilities 
 Loans and overdrafts               (539)        (601)          (394) 
 Trade and other payables         (1,806)      (1,923)        (1,881) 
 Derivative liabilities              (51)         (31)           (38) 
 Income tax                         (164)        (132)          (166) 
 Provisions                          (36)         (63)           (47) 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 Total current liabilities        (2,596)      (2,750)        (2,526) 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Non-current liabilities 
 Loans                              (599)        (954)          (772) 
 Provisions                          (29)         (29)           (30) 
 Deferred tax liabilities           (363)        (361)          (431) 
 Employee benefits liabilities       (97)        (191)           (96) 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 Total non-current liabilities    (1,088)      (1,535)        (1,329) 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 TOTAL LIABILITIES                (3,684)      (4,285)        (3,855) 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 NET ASSETS                         6,362        6,511          6,519 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 
 Equity 
 Issued capital                        45           45             45 
 Other reserves                       175          175            175 
 Translation reserve                  234          732            440 
 Hedging reserve                     (18)            2           (13) 
 Retained earnings                  5,626        5,189          5,508 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 TOTAL EQUITY ATTRIBUTABLE TO 
  EQUITY SHAREHOLDERS               6,062        6,143          6,155 
 Non-controlling interests            300          368            364 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 TOTAL EQUITY                       6,362        6,511          6,519 
                                 --------  -----------  ------------- 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

 
 
                                                         24 weeks    24 weeks      52 weeks 
                                                            ended       ended         ended 
                                                          1 March     2 March  14 September 
                                                             2014        2013          2013 
                                                                   (restated)    (restated) 
                                                 Note        GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
 
Cash flow from operating activities 
Profit before taxation                                        434         411           868 
Profits less losses on disposal of non-current 
 assets                                                       (1)           -             - 
Profits less losses on sale and closure 
 of businesses                                                  -           -           128 
Finance income                                                (9)         (6)          (13) 
Finance expense                                                38          49           100 
Other financial expense                                         -           2             5 
Share of profit/(loss) after tax from 
 joint ventures and associates                                  1         (5)          (13) 
Amortisation                                                   46          54           130 
Depreciation                                                  187         197           405 
Impairment of property, plant and equipment                     -           8            27 
Impairment of operating intangibles                             -           4             4 
Impairment of goodwill                                          -          10            10 
Net change in the fair value of biological 
 assets                                                      (10)        (21)          (26) 
Share-based payment expense                                     6           6            15 
Pension costs less contributions                                3           1          (24) 
Increase in inventories                                     (126)       (239)         (112) 
Decrease/(increase) in receivables                             36       (128)         (158) 
Increase in payables                                            9         116           173 
Purchases less sales of current biological 
 assets                                                         -           -           (2) 
(Decrease)/increase in provisions                             (9)           -            11 
-----------------------------------------------  ----  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
Cash generated from operations                                605         459         1,528 
Income taxes paid                                            (97)       (109)         (252) 
-----------------------------------------------  ----  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
Net cash from operating activities                            508         350         1,276 
-----------------------------------------------  ----  ---------- 
 
Cash flows from investing activities 
Dividends received from joint ventures 
 and associates                                                 3           4            11 
Purchase of property, plant and equipment                   (321)       (323)         (593) 
Purchase of intangibles                                      (18)        (12)          (22) 
Purchase of non-current biological assets                       -         (1)           (1) 
Sale of property, plant and equipment                          11           1            15 
Purchase of subsidiaries, joint ventures 
 and associates                                               (7)        (43)          (75) 
Sale of subsidiaries, joint ventures 
 and associates                                                 -          13            35 
Loans to joint ventures                                      (15)         (4)           (4) 
Purchase of non-controlling interests                           -         (1)           (1) 
Interest received                                               6           5            10 
-----------------------------------------------  ---- 
Net cash from investing activities                          (341)       (361)         (625) 
-----------------------------------------------  ----  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Cash flows from financing activities 
Dividends paid to non-controlling interests                   (8)        (11)          (29) 
Dividends paid to equity shareholders             4         (179)       (158)         (232) 
Interest paid                                                (33)        (39)         (107) 
Financing: 
  Increase/(decrease) in short-term loans                      68          86         (258) 
  Decrease in long-term loans                                (11)        (12)          (23) 
  Sale of shares in subsidiary undertakings 
   to non-controlling interests                                 -           -             1 
  Movements from changes in own shares 
   held                                                         -           -          (10) 
Net cash from financing activities                          (163)       (134)         (658) 
-----------------------------------------------  ----  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
 
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash 
 equivalents                                                    4       (145)           (7) 
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning 
 of the period                                                243         245           245 
Effect of movements in foreign exchange                      (15)          10             5 
-----------------------------------------------  ----  ----------  ----------  ------------ 
Cash and cash equivalents at the end 
 of the period                                    6           232         110           243 
===============================================  ====  ==========  ==========  ============ 
 

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

 
                                         Attributable to equity shareholders 
                             Issued      Other   Translation   Hedging   Retained            Non-controlling     Total 
                     Note   capital   reserves       reserve   reserve   earnings    Total         interests    equity 
                               GBPm       GBPm          GBPm      GBPm       GBPm     GBPm              GBPm      GBPm 
 
 Balance as at 14 
  September 
  2013 (restated)                45        175           440      (13)      5,508    6,155               364     6,519 
 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Profit for the 
  period 
  recognised 
  in the income 
  statement                       -          -             -         -        341      341               (7)       334 
 
 Actuarial losses 
  on defined 
  benefit schemes                 -          -             -         -       (55)     (55)               (1)      (56) 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  defined benefit 
  schemes                         -          -             -         -         12       12                 -        12 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Items that will 
  not be 
  reclassified 
  to profit or 
  loss                            -          -             -         -       (43)     (43)               (1)      (44) 
 
 Effect of 
  movements in 
  foreign 
  exchange                        -          -         (244)         -          -    (244)              (48)     (292) 
 Net gain on hedge 
  of net 
  investment in 
  foreign 
  subsidiaries                    -          -            38         -          -       38                 -        38 
 Movement in cash 
  flow hedging 
  position                        -          -             -       (7)          -      (7)                 -       (7) 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  movement in cash 
  flow hedging 
  position                        -          -             -         2          -        2                 -         2 
 Share of other 
  comprehensive 
  income of joint 
  ventures 
  and associates                  -          -             -         -        (7)      (7)                 -       (7) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Items that are or 
  may be 
  subsequently 
  reclassified 
  to profit or 
  loss                            -          -         (206)       (5)        (7)    (218)              (48)     (266) 
 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                          -          -         (206)       (5)       (50)    (261)              (49)     (310) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                          -          -         (206)       (5)        291       80              (56)        24 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 Dividends paid to 
  equity 
  shareholders        4           -          -             -         -      (179)    (179)                 -     (179) 
 Net movement in 
  own shares 
  held                            -          -             -         -          6        6                 -         6 
 Dividends paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interests                       -          -             -         -          -        -               (8)       (8) 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                     -          -             -         -      (173)    (173)               (8)     (181) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Balance as at 1 
  March 2014                     45        175           234      (18)      5,626    6,062               300     6,362 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 Balance as at 15 
  September 
  2012 (restated)                45        175           532      (17)      5,120    5,855               387     6,242 
 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Profit for the 
  period 
  recognised 
  in the income 
  statement 
  (restated)                      -          -             -         -        304      304                 2       306 
 
 Actuarial losses 
  on defined 
  benefit schemes 
  (restated)                      -          -             -         -      (114)    (114)                 -     (114) 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  defined benefit 
  schemes 
  (restated)                      -          -             -         -         27       27                 -        27 
 Items that will 
  not be 
  reclassified 
  to profit or 
  loss                            -          -             -         -       (87)     (87)                 -      (87) 
 
 Effect of 
  movements in 
  foreign 
  exchange                        -          -           250         -          -      250               (3)       247 
 Net loss on hedge 
  of net 
  investment in 
  foreign 
  subsidiaries                    -          -          (50)         -          -     (50)               (7)      (57) 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  movements in 
  foreign exchange                -          -             -         -          1        1                 -         1 
 Movement in cash 
  flow hedging 
  position                        -          -             -        24          -       24                 -        24 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  movement in cash 
  flow hedging 
  position                        -          -             -       (5)          -      (5)                 -       (5) 
 Share of other 
  comprehensive 
  income of joint 
  ventures 
  and associates                  -          -             -         -          2        2                 -         2 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Items that are or 
  may be 
  subsequently 
  reclassified 
  to profit or 
  loss                            -          -           200        19          3      222              (10)       212 
 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                          -          -           200        19       (84)      135              (10)       125 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                          -          -           200        19        220      439               (8)       431 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 Dividends paid to 
  equity 
  shareholders        4           -          -             -         -      (158)    (158)                 -     (158) 
 Net movement in 
  own shares 
  held                            -          -             -         -          7        7                 -         7 
 Dividends paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interests                       -          -             -         -          -        -              (11)      (11) 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                     -          -             -         -      (151)    (151)              (11)     (162) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Balance as at 2 
  March 2013                     45        175           732         2      5,189    6,143               368     6,511 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 
 Balance as at 15 
  September 
  2012 (restated)                45        175           532      (17)      5,120    5,855               387     6,242 
 
 Total 
 comprehensive 
 income 
 Profit for the 
  period 
  recognised 
  in the income 
  statement 
  (restated)                      -          -             -         -        585      585                43       628 
 
 Actuarial 
  gains/(losses) 
  on defined 
  benefit schemes 
  (restated)                      -          -             -         -         35       35               (2)        33 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  defined benefit 
  schemes 
  (restated)                      -          -             -         -        (7)      (7)                 -       (7) 
 Items that will 
  not be 
  reclassified 
  to profit or 
  loss                            -          -             -         -         28       28               (2)        26 
 
 Effect of 
  movements in 
  foreign 
  exchange                        -          -          (86)         -          -     (86)              (28)     (114) 
 Net loss on hedge 
  of net 
  investment in 
  foreign 
  subsidiaries                    -          -          (13)         -          -     (13)               (7)      (20) 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  movements in 
  foreign exchange                -          -             -         -          2        2                 -         2 
 Reclassification 
  adjustment 
  for movements in 
  foreign 
  exchange on 
  subsidiaries 
  disposed                        -          -             7         -          -        7                 -         7 
 Movement in cash 
  flow hedging 
  position                        -          -             -         6          -        6                 -         6 
 Deferred tax 
  associated with 
  movement in cash 
  flow hedging 
  position                        -          -             -       (2)          -      (2)                 -       (2) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Items that are or 
  may be 
  subsequently 
  reclassified 
  to profit or 
  loss                            -          -          (92)         4          2     (86)              (35)     (121) 
 
 Other 
  comprehensive 
  income                          -          -          (92)         4         30     (58)              (37)      (95) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Total 
  comprehensive 
  income                          -          -          (92)         4        615      527                 6       533 
 
 Transactions with 
 owners 
 Dividends paid to 
  equity 
  shareholders        4           -          -             -         -      (232)    (232)                 -     (232) 
 Net movement in 
  own shares 
  held                            -          -             -         -          5        5                 -         5 
 Dividends paid to 
  non-controlling 
  interests                       -          -             -         -          -        -              (29)      (29) 
 Total 
  transactions 
  with owners                     -          -             -         -      (227)    (227)              (29)     (256) 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 Balance as at 14 
  September 
  2013                           45        175           440      (13)      5,508    6,155               364     6,519 
------------------  -----  --------  ---------  ------------  --------  ---------  -------  ----------------  -------- 
 

NOTES TO THE CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED INTERIM FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

 
1. Operating segments 
 
The group discloses five operating segments, as described below. These 
 are the group's operating divisions, based on the group's management 
 and internal reporting structure, which combine businesses with common 
 characteristics. The board is the chief operating decision maker. 
 
 Inter-segment pricing is determined on an arm's length basis. Segment 
 result is adjusted operating profit, as shown on the face of the consolidated 
 income statement. Segment assets comprise all non-current assets except 
 employee benefits assets and deferred tax assets, and all current assets 
 except cash and cash equivalents. Segment liabilities comprise trade 
 and other payables, derivative liabilities and provisions. Segment results, 
 assets and liabilities include items directly attributable to a segment 
 as well as those that can be allocated on a reasonable basis. Unallocated 
 items comprise mainly corporate assets and expenses, cash, borrowings, 
 employee benefits balances and current and deferred tax balances. Segment 
 non-current asset additions are the total cost incurred during the period 
 to acquire segment assets that are expected to be used for more than 
 one year, comprising property, plant and equipment, operating intangibles 
 and biological assets. 
 
 The group is comprised of the following operating segments: 
                           The manufacture of grocery products, including hot beverages, 
                            sugar & sweeteners, vegetable oils, bread & baked goods, cereals, 
                            ethnic foods, herbs & spices, and meat products which are 
                            sold to retail, wholesale and foodservice businesses. 
                            The growing and processing of sugar beet and sugar cane for 
Grocery                     sale to industrial users and to Silver Spoon, which is included 
                            in the grocery segment. 
                            The manufacture of animal feeds and the provision of other 
 Sugar                      products for the agriculture sector. 
                            The manufacture of bakers' yeast, bakery ingredients, enzymes, 
 Agriculture                lipids, yeast extracts and cereal specialities. 
 Ingredients                Buying and merchandising value clothing and accessories through 
 Retail                     the Primark and Penneys retail chains. 
Geographical information 
 In addition to the required disclosure for operating segments, disclosure 
 is also given of certain geographical information about the group's operations, 
 based on the geographical groupings: United Kingdom; Europe & Africa; 
 The Americas; and Asia Pacific. 
 
 Revenues are shown by reference to the geographical location of customers. 
 Profits are shown by reference to the geographical location of the businesses. 
 Segment assets are based on the geographical location of the assets. 
 
                                              Revenue                        Adjusted operating profit 
                                 24 weeks    24 weeks        52 weeks  24 weeks     24 weeks        52 weeks 
                                    ended       ended           ended     ended        ended           ended 
                                  1 March     2 March    14 September   1 March      2 March    14 September 
                                     2014        2013            2013      2014         2013            2013 
                                                                                  (restated)      (restated) 
Operating segments                   GBPm        GBPm            GBPm      GBPm         GBPm            GBPm 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------  -----------  -------------- 
 
Grocery                             1,767       1,832           3,840       126           96             230 
Sugar                               1,027       1,323           2,677        64          162             434 
Agriculture                           625         641           1,410        19           20              47 
Ingredients                           509         527           1,088        15            -               1 
Retail                              2,278       1,997          4.,273       298          237             513 
Central                                 -           -               -      (25)         (24)            (51) 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------  -----------  -------------- 
                                    6,206       6,320          13,288       497          491           1,174 
Businesses disposed: 
Ingredients                             -          13              27         -            2               6 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------  -----------  -------------- 
                                    6,206       6,333          13,315       497          493           1,180 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------  -----------  -------------- 
Geographical information 
 
United Kingdom                      2,603       2,676           5,728       267          341             710 
Europe & Africa                     1,964       1,849           3,790       149          138             386 
The Americas                          610         607           1,282        64           50             103 
Asia Pacific                        1,029       1,188           2,488        17         (38)            (25) 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------  -----------  -------------- 
                                    6,206       6,320          13,288       497          491           1,174 
Businesses disposed: 
The Americas                            -          13              27         -            2               6 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------  -----------  -------------- 
                                    6,206       6,333          13,315       497          493           1,180 
                               ----------  ----------  --------------  --------               -------------- 
 
 
 
 
 
 1    Operating segments for the 24 weeks ended 
       1 March 2014 
 
 
                                         Grocery   Sugar   Agriculture   Ingredients     Retail   Central     Total 
                                            GBPm    GBPm          GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
 
  Revenue from continuing 
   businesses                              1,770   1,072           625           553      2,278      (92)     6,206 
  Internal revenue                           (3)    (45)             -          (44)          -        92         - 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Revenue from external customers          1,767   1,027           625           509      2,278         -     6,206 
 
  Adjusted operating profit 
   before joint ventures and 
   associates                                121      78            16            10        298      (25)       498 
  Share of profit after tax 
   from joint ventures and 
   associates                                  5    (14)             3             5          -         -       (1) 
  Adjusted operating profit                  126      64            19            15        298      (25)       497 
  Amortisation of non-operating 
   intangibles                              (23)     (9)           (2)           (1)          -         -      (35) 
  Profit less losses on disposal 
   of non-current assets                       2       -             -             -        (1)         -         1 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Profit before interest                     105      55            17            14        297      (25)       463 
  Finance income                                                                                        9         9 
  Finance expense                                                                                    (38)      (38) 
  Taxation                                                                                          (100)     (100) 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Profit for the period                      105      55            17            14        297     (154)       334 
 =====================================  ========  ======  ============  ============  =========  ========  ======== 
 
  Segment assets (excluding 
   joint ventures and associates)          2,550   2,515           343         1,102      2,556       213     9,279 
  Investments in joint ventures 
   and associates                             36      24           102            51          -         -       213 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Segment assets                           2,586   2,539           445         1,153      2,556       213     9,492 
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                                           311       311 
  Deferred tax assets                                                                                 218       218 
  Employee benefits assets                                                                             25        25 
  Segment liabilities                      (510)   (490)         (121)         (185)      (475)     (141)   (1,922) 
  Loans and overdrafts                                                                            (1,138)   (1,138) 
  Income tax                                                                                        (164)     (164) 
  Deferred tax liabilities                                                                          (363)     (363) 
  Employee benefits liabilities                                                                      (97)      (97) 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Net assets                               2,076   2,049           324           968      2,081   (1,136)     6,362 
 =====================================  ========  ======  ============  ============  =========  ========  ======== 
 
  Non-current asset additions                 61      48             9            26        168         1       313 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Depreciation                                49      42             3            20         71         2       187 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Amortisation                                31      10             3             2          -         -        46 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
      Geographical information                                  United        Europe        The      Asia 
                                                               Kingdom      & Africa   Americas   Pacific     Total 
                                                                  GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
     ---------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Revenue from external customers                                2,603         1,964        610     1,029     6,206 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Segment assets                                                 4,025         2,843        958     1,666     9,492 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Non-current asset additions                                      116           149         18        30       313 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Depreciation                                                      88            49         13        37       187 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Amortisation                                                      10            10         20         6        46 
 -------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
 
 
 1    Operating segments for the 24 weeks ended 
       2 March 2013 (restated) 
 
 
                                          Grocery   Sugar   Agriculture   Ingredients     Retail   Central     Total 
                                             GBPm    GBPm          GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
 
  Revenue from continuing 
   businesses                               1,836   1,390           641           583      1,997     (127)     6,320 
  Internal revenue                            (4)    (67)             -          (56)          -       127         - 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  External revenue from continuing 
   businesses                               1,832   1,323           641           527      1,997         -     6,320 
  Businesses disposed                           -       -             -            13          -         -        13 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Revenue from external customers           1,832   1,323           641           540      1,997         -     6,333 
 
  Adjusted operating profit 
   before joint ventures and 
   associates                                  92     168            16           (3)        237      (24)       486 
  Share of profit after tax 
   from joint ventures and 
   associates                                   4     (6)             4             3          -         -         5 
  Businesses disposed                           -       -             -             2          -         -         2 
  Adjusted operating profit                    96     162            20             2        237      (24)       493 
  Amortisation of non-operating 
   intangibles                                (9)    (11)             -          (17)          -         -      (37) 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Profit before interest                       87     151            20          (15)        237      (24)       456 
  Finance income                                                                                         6         6 
  Finance expense                                                                                     (49)      (49) 
  Other financial expense                                                                              (2)       (2) 
  Taxation                                                                                           (105)     (105) 
  Profit for the period                        87     151            20          (15)        237     (174)       306 
 ======================================  ========  ======  ============  ============  =========  ========  ======== 
 
    Segment assets (excluding 
    joint ventures and associates)          2,837   2,810           368         1,428      2,532       174    10,149 
  Investments in joint ventures 
   and associates                              31      44            91            57          -         -       223 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Segment assets                            2,868   2,854           459         1,485      2,532       174    10,372 
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                                            218       218 
  Deferred tax assets                                                                                  203       203 
  Employee benefits assets                                                                               3         3 
  Segment liabilities                       (566)   (607)         (136)         (193)      (418)     (126)   (2,046) 
  Loans and overdrafts                                                                             (1,555)   (1,555) 
  Income tax                                                                                         (132)     (132) 
  Deferred tax liabilities                                                                           (361)     (361) 
  Employee benefits liabilities                                                                      (191)     (191) 
  Net assets                                2,302   2,247           323         1,292      2,114   (1,767)     6,511 
 ======================================  ========  ======  ============  ============  =========  ========  ======== 
 
    Non-current asset additions                65      96             6            34        116         1       318 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Depreciation                                 50      44             3            31         67         2       197 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Amortisation                                 18      17             1            18          -         -        54 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of property, 
   plant and equipment                          -       8             -             -          -         -         8 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of operating 
   intangibles                                  -       4             -             -          -         -         4 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of goodwill                        -      10             -             -          -         -        10 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
      Geographical information                                   United        Europe        The      Asia 
                                                                Kingdom      & Africa   Americas   Pacific     Total 
                                                                   GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
     ----------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Revenue from external customers                                 2,676         1,849        620     1,188     6,333 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Segment assets                                                  3,935         3,108      1,149     2,180    10,372 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Non-current asset additions                                       122           118         26        52       318 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Depreciation                                                       88            52         12        45       197 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Amortisation                                                       16            11         14        13        54 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of property, 
   plant and equipment                                                -             -          -         8         8 
  Impairment of operating 
   intangibles                                                        -             -          -         4         4 
  Impairment of goodwill                                              -             -          -        10        10 
 
 
 
 1    Operating segments for the 52 weeks ended 14 
       September 2013 (restated) 
 
 
                                          Grocery   Sugar   Agriculture   Ingredients     Retail   Central     Total 
                                             GBPm    GBPm          GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
 
  Revenue from continuing 
   businesses                               3,851   2,808         1,410         1,193      4,273     (247)    13,288 
  Internal revenue                           (11)   (131)             -         (105)          -       247         - 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  External revenue from continuing 
   businesses                               3,840   2,677         1,410         1,088      4,273         -    13,288 
  Businesses disposed                           -       -             -            27          -         -        27 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Revenue from external customers           3,840   2,677         1,410         1,115      4,273         -    13,315 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
  Adjusted operating profit 
   before joint ventures and 
   associates                                 222     449            35           (7)        513      (51)     1,161 
  Share of profit after tax 
   from joint ventures and 
   associates                                   8    (15)            12             8          -         -        13 
  Businesses disposed                           -       -             -             6          -         -         6 
  Adjusted operating profit                   230     434            47             7        513      (51)     1,180 
  Amortisation of non-operating 
   intangibles                               (19)    (21)           (1)          (51)          -         -      (92) 
  Profits less losses on 
   sale and closure of businesses               -    (15)             -         (113)          -         -     (128) 
  Profit before interest                      211     398            46         (157)        513      (51)       960 
  Finance income                                                                                        13        13 
  Finance expense                                                                                    (100)     (100) 
  Other financial expense                                                                              (5)       (5) 
  Taxation                                                                                           (240)     (240) 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Profit for the period                       211     398            46         (157)        513     (383)       628 
 ======================================  ========  ======  ============  ============  =========  ========  ======== 
 
  Segment assets (excluding 
   joint ventures and associates)           2,666   2,432           319         1,159      2,677       187     9,440 
  Investments in joint ventures 
   and associates                              33      34            99            52          -         -       218 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Segment assets                            2,699   2,466           418         1,211      2,677       187     9,658 
  Cash and cash equivalents                                                                            362       362 
  Deferred tax assets                                                                                  273       273 
  Employee benefits assets                                                                              81        81 
  Segment liabilities                       (539)   (398)         (121)         (207)      (619)     (112)   (1,996) 
  Loans and overdrafts                                                                             (1,166)   (1,166) 
  Income tax                                                                                         (166)     (166) 
  Deferred tax liabilities                                                                           (431)     (431) 
  Employee benefits liabilities                                                                       (96)      (96) 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Net assets                                2,160   2,068           297         1,004      2,058   (1,068)     6,519 
 ======================================  ========  ======  ============  ============  =========  ========  ======== 
 
  Non-current asset additions                 165     158            10            70        220         6       629 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Depreciation                                108      86             7            49        151         4       405 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Amortisation                                 37      37             3            53          -         -       130 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of property, 
   plant and equipment                          -       8             -            19          -         -        27 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of operating 
   intangibles                                  -       4             -             -          -         -         4 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of goodwill                        -      10             -             -          -         -        10 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of property, 
   plant and equipment on 
   closure of business                          -       3             -            74          -         -        77 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of goodwill 
   on sale of business                          -      14             -             -          -         -        14 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
 
      Geographical information                                   United        Europe        The      Asia 
                                                                Kingdom      & Africa   Americas   Pacific     Total 
                                                                   GBPm          GBPm       GBPm      GBPm      GBPm 
     ----------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Revenue from external customers                                 5,728         3,790      1,309     2,488    13,315 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Segment assets                                                  3,863         3,096      1,022     1,677     9,658 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Non-current asset additions                                       260           209         51       109       629 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Depreciation                                                      177           102         28        98       405 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Amortisation                                                       35            26         39        30       130 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of property, 
   plant and equipment                                                -            19          -         8        27 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of operating 
   intangibles                                                        -             -          -         4         4 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of goodwill                                              -             -          -        10        10 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of property, 
   plant and equipment on 
   closure of business                                                -             -          -        77        77 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
  Impairment of goodwill 
   on sale of business                                                -             -          -        14        14 
 --------------------------------------  --------  ------  ------------  ------------  ---------  --------  -------- 
 
 
 
 
2.    Income tax expense 
                                                     24 weeks    24 weeks      52 weeks 
                                                        ended       ended         ended 
                                                      1 March     2 March  14 September 
                                                         2014        2013          2013 
                                                               (restated)    (restated) 
                                                         GBPm        GBPm          GBPm 
      Current tax expense 
 UK - corporation tax at 22.1%/23.5%/23.5%                 51          56           143 
 Overseas - corporation tax                                49          51           145 
 UK - overprovided in prior periods                         -           -           (9) 
 Overseas - overprovided in prior periods                   -           -          (10) 
                                                          100         107           269 
      Deferred tax expense 
 UK deferred tax                                          (2)         (1)          (23) 
 Overseas deferred tax                                      2         (1)             2 
 Overseas - overprovided in prior periods                   -           -           (8) 
                                                     --------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                            -         (2)          (29) 
 
 Total income tax expense in income 
  statement                                               100         105           240 
                                                     ========  ==========  ============ 
 
      Reconciliation of effective tax rate 
 Profit before taxation                                   434         411           868 
 Less share of loss/(profit) from joint 
  ventures and associates                                   1         (5)          (13) 
                                                     --------  ----------  ------------ 
 Profit before taxation excluding share 
  of profit after tax from joint ventures 
  and associates                                          435         406           855 
                                                     --------  ----------  ------------ 
 Nominal tax charge at UK corporation 
  tax rate of 22.1%/23.5%/23.5%                            96          95           201 
 Different tax rates on overseas earnings                 (7)         (2)          (34) 
 Expenses not deductible for tax purposes                   5           9            24 
 Disposal of assets covered by tax exemptions 
  or unrecognised capital losses                            -           -            39 
 Deferred tax not recognised                                6           3            37 
 Adjustments in respect of prior periods                    -           -          (27) 
                                                     --------  ----------  ------------ 
                                                          100         105           240 
                                                     ========  ==========  ============ 
 
      Income tax recognised directly in equity 
 Deferred tax associated with defined 
  benefit schemes                                        (12)        (27)             7 
 Deferred tax associated with movement 
  in cash flow hedging position                           (2)           5             2 
 Deferred tax associated with movements 
  in foreign exchange                                       -         (1)           (2) 
                                                         (14)        (23)             7 
                                                     ========  ==========  ============ 
 
Following the enactment of legislation by the UK government to reduce 
 the corporation tax rate from 23% to 21% with effect from 1 April 2014 
 and to reduce it further to 20% with effect from 1 April 2015, UK deferred 
 tax has been calculated using a rate of 20%. This legislation was enacted 
 before 14 September 2013 and accordingly the impact of these rate reductions 
 on deferred tax was reflected in the group's financial statements for 
 the financial year ended 14 September 2013. 
 
 
 
3.          Earnings per ordinary share                                 24 weeks                24 weeks        52 weeks 
                                                                           ended                   ended           ended 
                                                                         1 March                 2 March    14 September 
                                                                            2014                    2013            2013 
                                                                                              (restated)      (restated) 
                                                                           pence                   pence           pence 
 
            Adjusted earnings per share                                     45.8                    41.5            98.1 
            Disposal of non-current assets                                   0.1                       -               - 
            Sale and closure of businesses                                     -                       -          (16.2) 
            Tax effect on above adjustments                                    -                       -           (0.8) 
            Amortisation of non-operating intangibles                      (4.4)                   (4.7)          (11.7) 
            Tax credit on non-operating intangibles 
             amortisation and goodwill                                       1.3                     1.3             3.7 
            Non-controlling interests' share of 
             amortisation of non-operating intangibles 
             net of tax                                                      0.4                     0.4             0.9 
            Earnings per ordinary share                                     43.2                    38.5            74.0 
                                                                ================  ======================  ============== 
 
4.          Dividends 
 
                                                                        24 weeks                24 weeks        52 weeks 
                                                                           ended                   ended           ended 
                                                                         1 March                 2 March    14 September 
                                                                            2014                    2013            2013 
                                                                           pence                   pence           pence 
            Per share 
            2012 final                                                         -                   20.00           20.00 
            2013 interim                                                       -                       -            9.35 
            2013 final                                                     22.65                       -               - 
                                                                ----------------  ----------------------  -------------- 
                                                                           22.65                   20.00           29.35 
                                                                ================  ======================  ============== 
 
            Total                                                           GBPm                    GBPm            GBPm 
            2012 final                                                         -                     158             158 
            2013 interim                                                       -                       -              74 
            2013 final                                                       179                       -               - 
                                                                ----------------  ----------------------  -------------- 
                                                                             179                     158             232 
                                                                ================  ======================  ============== 
 
            The 2013 final dividend of 22.65p per share was approved on 6 December 
             2013 and totalled GBP179m when paid on 10 January 2014. The 2014 interim 
             dividend of 9.70 pence per share, total value of GBP77m, will be paid 
             on 4 July 2014 to shareholders on the register on 6 June 2014. 
 
5.          Acquisitions and disposals 
            A small bakery ingredients business in Western Europe was acquired 
             during the period. The cash outflow on purchase of subsidiaries, joint 
             ventures and associates in the cash flow statement of GBP7m comprised 
             GBP1m of cash consideration net of cash and cash equivalents acquired 
             and a GBP6m investment in joint ventures. There were no disposals 
             in the period. 
 
6.          Analysis of net debt 
 
                                             At                                                                       At 
                                   14 September                                    Non-cash         Exchange     1 March 
                                           2013  Cash flow    Acquisitions            items      adjustments        2014 
                                           GBPm       GBPm            GBPm             GBPm             GBPm        GBPm 
            Cash at bank and in 
             hand, cash 
             equivalents 
             and overdrafts                 243          4               -                -             (15)         232 
            Short-term 
             borrowings                   (275)       (68)             (4)            (123)               10       (460) 
            Loans over one year           (772)         11               -              123               39       (599) 
                                  -------------  ---------  --------------  ---------------  ---------------  ---------- 
                                          (804)       (53)             (4)                -               34       (827) 
                                  =============  =========  ==============  ===============  ===============  ========== 
 
 
 

Cash and cash equivalents comprise cash balances, call deposits and investments with original maturities of three months or less. Bank overdrafts of GBP79m that are repayable on demand and form an integral part of the group's cash management are included as a component of cash and cash equivalents for the purpose of the cash flow statement. Non-cash items represent the changing maturity of long-term borrowings as they become short-term.

 
7.   Related party transactions 
 
                 Transactions between the Company and its subsidiaries, which are related 
                  parties, have been eliminated on consolidation and are not disclosed 
                  in this note. 
 
                  Full details of the group's other related party relationships, transactions 
                  and balances are given in the group's financial statements for the 
                  52 weeks ended 14 September 2013. There have been no material changes 
                  in these relationships in the 
                  24 weeks ended 1 March 2014 or up to the date of this report. 
 
                  No related party transactions have taken place in the first 24 weeks 
                  of the current financial year that have materially affected the financial 
                  position or the performance of the group during that period. 
8.               Basis of preparation 
 
     Associated British Foods plc ('the Company') is a company domiciled 
      in the United Kingdom. The condensed consolidated interim financial 
      statements of the Company for the 24 weeks ended 1 March 2014 comprise 
      those of the Company and its subsidiaries (together referred to as 
      'the group') and the group's interests in associates and jointly controlled 
      entities. 
 
      The consolidated financial statements of the group for the 52 weeks 
      ended 14 September 2013 are available upon request from the Company's 
      registered office at 10 Grosvenor Street, London W1K 4QY or at www.abf.co.uk. 
 
      The condensed consolidated interim financial statements have been 
      prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting. They 
      do not include all of the information required for full annual financial 
      statements and should be read in conjunction with the consolidated 
      financial statements of the group for the 52 weeks ended 14 September 
      2013. 
 
      The preparation of interim financial statements requires management 
      to make judgements, estimates and assumptions that affect the application 
      of accounting policies and the reported amounts of assets and liabilities, 
      income and expense. Actual results may differ from these estimates. 
      In preparing the condensed consolidated interim financial statements, 
      the significant judgements made by management in applying the group's 
      accounting policies and the key sources of estimation uncertainty 
      were the same as those that applied to the consolidated financial 
      statements for the 52 weeks ended 14 September 2013. 
 
      After making enquiries, the directors have a reasonable expectation 
      that the group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence 
      for the foreseeable future. For this reason they continue to adopt 
      the going concern basis in preparing the condensed consolidated interim 
      financial statements. The group's business activities, together with 
      the factors likely to affect its future development, performance and 
      position are set out in the Operating review. Note 24 on pages 113 
      to 123 of the 2013 annual report provides details of the group's policy 
      on managing its financial and commodity risks. 
 
      The group has considerable financial resources, good access to debt 
      markets, a diverse range of businesses and a wide geographic spread. 
      It is therefore well placed to continue to manage business risks successfully 
      despite the current economic uncertainty. 
 
      The 24-week period for the condensed consolidated interim financial 
      statements of the Company means that the second half of the year is 
      usually a 28-week period, and the two halves of the reporting year 
      are therefore not of equal length. For the Retail segment, Christmas, 
      falling in the first half of the year, is a particularly important 
      trading period. For the Sugar segment, the balance sheet, and working 
      capital in particular, is strongly influenced by seasonal growth patterns 
      for both sugar beet and sugar cane, which vary significantly in the 
      markets in which the group operates. 
 
      The condensed consolidated interim financial statements are unaudited 
      but have been subject to an independent review by the auditor and 
      were approved by the board of directors on 23 April 2014. They do 
      not constitute statutory financial statements as defined in section 
      434 of the Companies Act 2006. The comparative figures for the 52 
      weeks ended 14 September 2013 have been abridged from the group's 
      2013 financial statements and are not the Company's statutory financial 
      statements for that period. Those financial statements have been reported 
      on by the Company's auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. 
      The report of the auditors was unqualified, did not include a reference 
      to any matters to which the auditors drew attention by way of emphasis 
      without qualifying their report and did not contain a statement under 
      section 498(2) or (3) of the Companies Act 2006. 
 
      This interim results announcement has been prepared solely to provide 
      additional information to shareholders as a body, to assess the group's 
      strategies and the potential for those strategies to succeed. This 
      interim results announcement should not be relied upon by any other 
      party or for any other purpose. 
 
9.               Significant accounting policies 
 
                 The accounting policies applied by the group in these condensed consolidated 
                  interim financial statements are substantially the same as those applied 
                  by the group in its consolidated financial statements for the 52 weeks 
                  ended 14 September 2013. There have been a number of minor changes 
                  to standards which become applicable for the year ending 13 September 
                  2014, none of which have been assessed as having a significant impact 
                  on the group. 
     The revised IAS 19 Employee Benefits is applicable to the group for 
      the first time in 2014 and makes changes to measurement and disclosure 
      requirements for defined benefit post-employment arrangements. The 
      expected return on plan assets and the interest charge on scheme liabilities 
      have been replaced by net interest income or expense calculated by 
      applying the liability discount rate to the net pension asset or liability. 
      Scheme administration costs are expensed as incurred and the reserve 
      for scheme costs, which was previously included in scheme liabilities, 
      has been removed. IAS 19 service cost is charged to operating profit 
      and pension financing costs are charged to other financial expense. 
 
      The impact of adoption of the revised standard, which has been applied 
      with retrospective effect from the 2012 balance sheet date, is set 
      out below. The impact of all charges is reflected in retained earnings 
      in equity and is wholly attributable to equity shareholders. 
 
      In the 2012 balance sheet, the GBP95m net pension liability decreased 
      by GBP28m to GBP67m and net deferred tax liabilities of GBP177m increased 
      by GBP7m to GBP184m. 
                                                       24 weeks ended             52 weeks ended 
                                                        2 March 2013             14 September 2013 
                                                                (previously                (previously 
                                                   (restated)     reported)   (restated)     reported) 
                                                 ------------  ------------  -----------  ------------ 
                                                         GBPm          GBPm         GBPm          GBPm 
 
     Income statement 
 Adjusted operating profit                                493           496        1,180         1,185 
 Operating profit                                         456           459        1,088         1,093 
 Other financial expense                                  (2)           (1)          (5)           (2) 
 Adjusted profit before taxation                          448           452        1,088         1,096 
 Profit before taxation                                   411           415          868           876 
 Taxation                                               (105)         (106)        (240)         (242) 
 Profit for the period                                    306           309          628           634 
 
                                                        pence         pence        pence         pence 
 Basic earnings per share                                38.5          38.9         74.0          74.8 
 Adjusted earnings per share                             41.5          41.9         98.1          98.9 
 
                                                         GBPm          GBPm         GBPm          GBPm 
     Other comprehensive income 
 Actuarial (losses)/gains on defined 
  benefit schemes                                       (114)         (121)           33            24 
 Deferred tax associated with defined 
  benefit schemes                                          27            28          (7)           (5) 
 
     Balance sheet 
 Net employee benefits balances                         (188)         (219)         (15)          (44) 
 Net deferred tax balances                              (158)         (151)        (158)         (151) 
 
 These adjustments had no effect on net cash from operating activities 
  but the cash flow statement does reflect the above adjustments to 
  profit before tax offset by an equal and opposite adjustment to pension 
  costs less contributions. 
 

CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS

This Interim Results Announcement contains forward-looking statements. These have been made by the directors in good faith based on the information available to them up to the time of their approval of this report. The directors can give no assurance that these expectations will prove to have been correct. Due to the inherent uncertainties, including both economic and business risk factors underlying such forward-looking information, actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. The directors undertake no obligation to update any forward-looking statements whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise.

RISKS AND UNCERTAINTIES

There are a number of potential risks and uncertainties which could have a material impact on the group's performance over the remainder of the financial year and could cause actual results to differ materially from expected and historical results. These include, but are not limited to, competitor activity and competition risk, commercial relationships with customers and suppliers, changes in foreign exchange rates and commodity prices. Details of the principal risks facing the group's businesses at an operational level are included on pages 56 to 61 of the group's statutory financial statements for the 52 weeks ended 14 September 2013, as part of the corporate governance report. Details of further potential risks and uncertainties arising since the issue of the previous statutory financial statements are included within the Chairman's Statement and the Operating Review as appropriate.

RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT

The Interim Results Announcement complies with the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ('the DTR') of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority in respect of the requirement to produce a half yearly financial report.

The directors confirm that to the best of their knowledge:

-- this financial information has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU;

-- this Interim Results Announcement includes a fair review of the important events during the first half and their impact on the financial information, and a description of the principal risks and uncertainties for the remaining half of the year as required by DTR 4.2.7R; and

-- this Interim Results Announcement includes a fair review of the disclosure of related party transactions and changes therein as required by DTR 4.2.8R.

On behalf of the board

 
            George Weston                John Bason                    Charles Sinclair 
            Chief Executive              Finance Director              Chairman 
            23 April 2014                23 April 2014                 23 April 2014 
 

Independent review report to Associated British Foods plc

Introduction

We have been engaged by the Company to review the condensed set of financial statements in the Interim Results Announcement for the 24 weeks ended 1 March 2014 which comprises the condensed consolidated income statement, the condensed consolidated statement of comprehensive income, the condensed consolidated balance sheet, the condensed consolidated cash flow statement, the condensed consolidated statement of changes in equity and the related explanatory notes. We have read the other information contained in the interim results announcement and considered whether it contains any apparent misstatements or material inconsistencies with the information in the condensed set of financial statements.

This report is made solely to the Company in accordance with the terms of our engagement to assist the Company in meeting the requirements of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules ('the DTR') of the UK's Financial Conduct Authority ('the UK FCA'). Our review has been undertaken so that we might state to the Company those matters we are required to state to it in this report and for no other purpose. To the fullest extent permitted by law, we do not accept or assume responsibility to anyone other than the Company for our review work, for this report, or for the conclusions we have reached.

Directors' responsibilities

The Interim Results Announcement is the responsibility of, and has been approved by, the directors. The directors are responsible for preparing the Interim Results Announcement in accordance with the DTR of the UK FCA.

The annual financial statements of the group are prepared in accordance with International Financial Reporting Standards as adopted by the EU. The condensed set of financial statements included in this Interim Results Announcement has been prepared in accordance with IAS 34 Interim Financial Reporting as adopted by the EU.

Our responsibility

Our responsibility is to express to the Company a conclusion on the condensed set of financial statements in the Interim Results Announcement based on our review.

Scope of review

We conducted our review in accordance with International Standard on Review Engagements (UK and Ireland) 2410 Review of Interim Financial Information Performed by the Independent Auditor of the Entity issued by the Auditing Practices Board for use in the UK. A review of interim financial information consists of making enquiries, primarily of persons responsible for financial and accounting matters, and applying analytical and other review procedures. A review is substantially less in scope than an audit conducted in accordance with International Standards on Auditing (UK and Ireland) and consequently does not enable us to obtain assurance that we would become aware of all significant matters that might be identified in an audit. Accordingly, we do not express an audit opinion.

Conclusion

Based on our review, nothing has come to our attention that causes us to believe that the condensed set of financial statements in the Interim Results Announcement for the 24 weeks ended 1 March 2014 is not prepared, in all material respects, in accordance with IAS 34 as adopted by the EU and the DTR of the UK FCA.

Richard Pinckard

for and on behalf of KPMG LLP

Chartered Accountants

15 Canada Square

London, E14 5GL

23 April 2014

This information is provided by RNS

The company news service from the London Stock Exchange

END

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