Applied Nutrition delivers robust results shares climb as profits and sales exceed forecasts

Applied Nutrition, a protein shake producer backed by JD Sports and high-profile investor Coleen Rooney, has celebrated its inaugural year as a publicly-listed company with results that outpace market expectations. The firm disclosed that sales for the twelve months ending 31 July are set to reach £107 million, comfortably surpassing analysts’ forecasts of £100 million and marking a 24 per cent increase compared with the previous year. Growth was particularly strong in the latter half of the financial period.

Chief executive Thomas Ryder, who transitioned from scaffolding to the supplement industry, founded Applied Nutrition in 2014 after recognising the latent demand for health and fitness products. What started as a retail side-business soon evolved into a thriving wholesale enterprise, and the company now boasts a portfolio of over 100 products, including protein shakes, energy drinks, and vitamins. Its distribution extends across more than 85 countries.

High-profile investors underpin the company’s trajectory, with Peter Cowgill, former JD Sports executive, Mohsin Issa of Asda, and Coleen Rooney bringing significant backing. Andy Bell, founder of AJ Bell, serves as chairman. Notably, JD Sports holds a near 10 per cent stake in the business, further cementing its strategic importance.

The company anticipates a 19 per cent rise in adjusted underlying profit, excluding exceptional items from last October’s IPO, and forecasts a closing cash position of approximately £18.5 million, exceeding internal projections. While specific growth drivers were not disclosed, management emphasises the success of a business-to-business focused model, ongoing product innovation, and a commitment to quality as key factors supporting continued revenue and profit expansion.

Buoyant trading saw Applied Nutrition’s share price increase by 11p or 8.5 per cent to 142.5p, giving the company a market capitalisation of about £328 million. Shares have risen 5.4 per cent since listing at 140p each, while JD Sports also enjoyed a corresponding uplift, leading the FTSE 100 with a 7 per cent gain.

Industry analysts note the performance as “highly impressive”, especially given uncertainties earlier in the year. Momentum appears set to continue, with revenue targets for the coming financial year already expected to outstrip consensus estimates of £112.4 million. Ryder remains confident about the future, describing the group’s ambition and focus as undiminished, with an active pipeline of opportunities ahead.