Shares of Liverpool-based Applied Nutrition plc, the sports nutrition, health, and wellness brand, rose about 10% after it said it is trading ahead of expectations, announced the acquisition of a US manufacturing facility and unveiled a new North American collaboration.
Applied Nutrition announced an upgrade to its expectations for the current financial year ending July 31, 2026 (FY26), with revenue now expected to be £148 million and EBITDA margin in line with current consensus market expectation.
The Liverpool firm also announced the £12 million acquisition of the trade and majority of assets of Nutrablend Group, which includes a manufacturing and warehouse facility in Buffalo, New York.
Further, Applied Nutrition unveiled a significant new North American “flavour collaboration agreement” with Mondelēz International “to allow the group to develop and manufacture AN Supps & Sour Patch Kids and AN Supps & Swedish Fish branded sports nutrition products.”
Applied Nutrition shares rose to around £2.69 to give the firm a stock market value of about £672 million. The Liverpool firm’s stock has now risen about 99% since it priced its London IPO at £1.40 per share on October 24, 2024.
In its FY26 outlook, the Liverpool firm said: “Trading in the current financial year to date remains strong with continued momentum across the group.
“Excluding any contribution from the acquisition of Nutrablend, the board now expects the group’s FY26 revenue to be ahead of current consensus market expectations at approximately £148m, with the EBITDA margin expected to be in line with current consensus market expectations.
“The EBITDA contribution for FY26 from the acquisition of Nutrablend is not expected to be meaningful.”
Applied Nutrition CEO Thomas Ryder said: “The acquisition of a US manufacturing site significantly strengthens our ability to support ongoing growth in the region and provides us with the ability to expand our North American offering, harnessing Nutrablend’s experienced management team.
“Importantly, it allows us to launch new products at the same pace as we do in the UK, improving our responsiveness to consumer and market demand and reinforcing a clear competitive advantage for Applied.
“The partnership with Mondelēz International on the Sour Patch Kids & Swedish Fish brands brings two more globally recognised names into our portfolio.
“This agreement represents a significant endorsement of the group’s capabilities, underlines the strength of our execution and shows our ability to deliver new, vibrant products to market through our NPD engine.
“Demand across our markets shows no sign of abating and we are well positioned to deliver on what consumers need for their health and wellness journey.
“As an agile but disciplined business, we’re confident that our delivery and expansion will continue to underpin the long-term outlook for our business.”