Shares of A.G. Barr, the Cumbernauld-based owner of Irn-Bru, Rubicon energy drinks, Boost Drinks and Funkin cocktail mixers, rose as much as 8% after it published results for the year ended January 31, 2026, showing adjusted profit before tax rose 12.5% to £65.8 million.
Revenue rose 4% to £437.3 million and full year dividend increased 11% to 18.71p per share.
Barr is still searching for a new non-executive chair after Mark Allen stood down in January “to focus on his recently extended role at Hilton Food Group plc, where he has moved from non-executive chair to executive chair.” Susan Barratt, senior independent director, is acting as interim chair until a successor has been appointed.
In its outlook, Barr said: “We entered FY26/27 with good momentum and will continue to demonstrate tangible progress against our strategic objectives.
“Our core soft drinks portfolio will be supported by expanded distribution, targeted brand refreshes and multiple new product launches.
“The integration of recent acquisitions – Frobishers Juices Ltd and Fentimans Ltd (post period end) – is well underway and progressing to plan, leaving us well positioned to realise targeted operational efficiencies from H2 and in the coming years.”
Barr CEO Euan Sutherland said: “This was a year of significant strategic progress in which we also delivered on our targeted financial metrics.
“We have strengthened the foundations of the business and stepped up our investment in brand development, commercial capability and our operations to ensure we can consistently sustain high levels of performance.
“These actions, supplemented by a more meaningful M&A strategy, support our ambition to deliver our target of sustainable, consistent top and bottom line growth.
“We entered FY26/27 with good momentum and clear priorities, and expect to deliver a year of low double digit percentage revenue growth supported by our recent acquisitions.
“Our strategy aims to deliver above-market growth rates and realise our ambition of doubling the size of the business.
“Importantly, we are pursuing this ambition without changing our core business model, and with a continued disciplined focus on margin, ROCE and shareholder returns.”