REG - Barr(A.G.) PLC - Full Year Trading Update

A G BarrAnnouncement

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RNS Number : 4034R  Barr(A.G.) PLC  03 February 2026

IMMEDIATE RELEASE
 
3 February 2026

A.G. BARR plc

("A.G. BARR" or "the Company")

 

Full Year Trading Update

 

Full year performance in-line with expectations - Double-digit profit growth

 

Acquisitions of Fentimans Ltd and Frobishers Juices Ltd

 

Entering 2026 with good momentum

 

A.G. BARR, the multi-beverage business with a broad portfolio of
market-leading UK brands including IRN-BRU, Rubicon and Boost, is pleased to
announce a Trading Update in respect of the financial year ended 31 January
2026 ('FY25/26') ahead of announcing Final Results on 31 March 2026.

 

FY25/26 Highlights

The Company delivered a strong performance in FY25/26 in-line with
expectations.

During the year the Company outlined its key strategic drivers, including
brand innovation pipeline development, channel expansion initiatives and
investment in operational capabilities.  Good progress has been made in these
areas and FY26/27 is expected to be a year of building momentum.

The Company is also delighted to announce the acquisitions of Fentimans Ltd
('Fentimans'), the soft drinks and mixers brand known for its "Botanical
Brewing" process, and Frobishers Juices Ltd ('Frobishers'), the premium
natural fruit juices and soft drinks brand.  Both brands operate in the
attractive Adult Soft Drinks market, which is benefitting from the consumer
trend of reduced alcohol consumption.  These acquisitions reflect the
execution of further meaningful and targeted M&A to elevate growth through
broadening the brand portfolio while providing opportunities for cost
synergies.

Financials

●    Revenue growth of c.4% to c.£437m (FY24/25:  £420m).

●    Adjusted Operating Margin of c.14.7% (FY24/25:  13.6%), an increase
of c.110 bps, contributing to double-digit profit(1) growth.  This is driven
by benefits from on-going efficiency initiatives and supply chain investment.

●    Adjusted Return on Capital Employed maintained at target level of
c.20%.

Operational and Strategic

●    Marketing and distribution initiatives supporting IRN-BRU deliver
modest growth in H2 following a flat H1, with good performances from Rubicon
and Boost offsetting a decline in FUNKIN.

●    Innovation activity significantly expanded, with a series of new
product launches taking place from January 2026.

●    Continued investments in manufacturing sites improving both capacity
and capability, delivered as planned and on budget.

●    Acquisition of Frobishers for £13m, completed towards the period
end, funded from the Company's net cash position.

Post Period-End

●    Acquisition of Fentimans completed on 2 February 2026 for c.£38m,
funded through a combination of cash and debt.

●    Integration of both Fentimans and Frobishers to take place during
FY26/27, with associated efficiencies beginning to come through from H2.

●    Strong brand activity pipeline continuing through FY26/27, including
redesigns of IRN-BRU and Rubicon and further innovation launches.

Euan Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer, commented:

"We are pleased to report a strong year that highlights delivery of our
strategic priorities.  Our top and bottom line performance for FY25/26 is in
line with expectations, and importantly we have laid strong foundations for
future growth.  We enter FY26/27 with good momentum in our core brands and
from the introduction of exciting new products.  In-line with our strategy of
enhancing our organic growth with M&A, we are delighted to announce the
acquisitions of Fentimans and Frobishers.  The synergies associated with
these acquisitions are expected to drive meaningful accretion over the medium
term.  Underpinning all our activity is our consistent focus on efficiency,
margin and growing shareholder returns."

For more information:

A.G.
BARR
                                 MHP GROUP

 

0330 390
3900
07801 894 577

ir@agbarr.co.uk
agbarr@mhpgroup.com

Euan Sutherland, Chief Executive Officer
                  Oliver Hughes

Stuart Lorimer, Chief Finance and Operating Officer
     Rachel Farrington

Ewan Dytch, Corporate Finance Director
                 Veronica Farah

 

(1)  -  Adjusted profit before
tax

Year-on-year metrics reflect the full year 2025/26 53 weeks compared against
2024/25.

 

 

 

 

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