Consumer Defensive

Companies involved in the manufacture of food and beverages, household and personal care products, packaging and tobacco. The sector also includes firms providing education and training services. UK‑listed companies in this sector include Unilever plc, Diageo plc, Associated British Foods plc, Imperial Brands plc, Smurfit Kappa plc and Pearson plc.

Likewise targets £29.2m raise to expand distribution capacity

Likewise Group plans to raise up to £29.2 million to acquire a Corby distribution hub and expand the infrastructure supporting its long-term growth...

August 3, 2026

Technic Cosmetics returns to Bodycare as retail expansion takes shape

Technic Cosmetics is returning to Bodycare stores as the retailer expands and modernises its beauty offer...

July 31, 2026

Likewise Group plc Fundraising Unlocks the Next Stage of Expansion (video)

July 30, 2026

British American Tobacco H1 2026 revenue rises as new categories grow 18%

British American Tobacco Plc reported higher revenue, stronger New Categories growth and raised expectations for adjusted diluted EPS in FY26...

July 30, 2026

Pets At Home Group Plc Pets at Home reports higher Q1 consumer revenue and maintains FY27 guidance

Pets at Home reported Q1 consumer revenue growth across Vet Group and Retail, and said it has left FY27 guidance unchanged...

July 30, 2026

Likewise Group launches £2 million retail share offer

Likewise Group has opened a retail offer for existing UK shareholders, seeking to raise up to £2 million through new shares priced at 28.5 pence each. The offer closes on..

July 29, 2026

Aston Martin revenue rises 38% in first half of 2026

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holding reported higher half-year wholesale volumes, revenue and gross profit, with reduced Q2 2026 free cash outflow...

July 29, 2026

Greggs first-half profit rises 20% as sales and market share grow

Greggs reported first-half sales growth and improved profit, maintained its interim dividend and said full-year expectations remain unchanged...

July 29, 2026

Likewise Group proposes £29.2m fundraising to support Corby distribution hub

The flooring distributor plans to raise up to approximately £29.2 million at 28.5 pence per share, partly funding the proposed £9.5 million acquisition of a new 60,000 sq. ft. distribution..

July 28, 2026

Mitchells & Butlers reports 2.2% year-to-date sales growth

Mitchells & Butlers reported resilient third-quarter trading, with year-to-date like-for-like sales growth of 2.2% and unchanged cost inflation expectations...

July 23, 2026

Frasers Group updates on Accent takeover offer period

Frasers Group has updated investors on its all-cash on-market takeover offer for Accent Group Limited, including an extension to the offer period...

July 23, 2026

UK manufacturing strengthens as output rises and supply chain demand builds

UK manufacturing output rose in May as stronger industrial production and demand for secure domestic supply chains improved the sector’s outlook...

July 22, 2026

Wetherspoon warns full-year profit will miss market expectations

J D Wetherspoon has issued a pre-close trading update showing like-for-like sales up 4.0% in the latest 12 weeks and 4.2% year to date. The pub chain opened eight sites,..

July 22, 2026

Frasers Group exceeds 30% ownership threshold in HUGO BOSS

Frasers Group has increased its holding in HUGO BOSS to 30.28% after further share acquisitions under its voluntary takeover offer...

July 21, 2026

Likewise expands distribution capacity to support its next growth phase

Likewise is expanding its Yorkshire and Newport distribution capacity as it builds the infrastructure needed to support its next stage of growth...

July 15, 2026

Watches of Switzerland FY26 revenue rises 11% as profit before tax jumps 76%

Watches of Switzerland Group reported stronger full-year revenue, profit and cash flow, alongside reduced net debt and updated FY27 guidance...

July 14, 2026

Grafton Group maintains 2026 profit guidance as Iberia and Ireland drive growth

Grafton Group reported modest first-half trading growth, with Iberia, the Island of Ireland and Northern Europe offsetting weakness in Great Britain...

July 13, 2026

Likewise Group targets £250 million revenue capacity

Likewise Group is expanding its warehouses, delivery fleet and processing capacity as it targets annual revenue capacity above £250 million...

July 10, 2026

Coca-Cola HBC to showcase Egypt business in Bitesize Investor event

Coca-Cola HBC is hosting the latest Bitesize Investor series event in Cairo, focusing on its Egypt business and long-term growth opportunities...

July 7, 2026

Ocado Group updates on planned leadership transition

Ocado Group outlines the next phase of its long-term leadership transition, with Tim Steiner remaining chief executive through FY28...

July 6, 2026

News and Interview Alerts

Company Presentations

Q&As

Ferro-Alloy Resources CEO Nick Bridgen discusses vanadium project progress and growth opportunities

21 August 2026

Oriole Resources CEO Martin Rosser highlights high-grade Niambaram gold and wider Eastern CLP potential

21 August 2026

Arbuthnot Banking Group reports record deposits and wealth assets (LON:ARBB)

21 August 2026

Hardide CEO Matt Hamblin outlines growth strategy and capacity expansion

13 August 2026

Hercules CEO & CFO discuss new Power & Energy Services division

11 August 2026

Hardman & Co

Chesnara Plc: Acquisitions show immediate benefits

2 September 2026

Arbuthnot Banking Group Plc 1H’26: accelerating franchise growth

4 August 2026

Real Estate Credit Investments maintains dividend as credit remains resilient

3 August 2026

Real Estate Credit Investments (RECI) FY’26 results: High yield, clear path to dividend cover

13 July 2026

Cavendish plc: Solid performance in still tough markets

30 June 2026

Green News

Drax upgrades 2026 EBITDA outlook after strong trading and BSIF acquisition

17 September 2026

Thor Energy receives A$1.3m first deferred payment from Tivan

15 September 2026

Ilika completes PRIMED programme with improved Goliath battery performance

10 September 2026

Drax appoints Joep van Beurden as non-executive director

8 September 2026

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Latest Interviews

Corero Network Security: Revenue Jumps 42% as Tier 1 Win and DDoS Demand Build Momentum (video)

Nuformix Plc NXP002 Data Strengthens Path Towards Toxicology and Partnering (video)

Laura Foll, Portfolio Manager at Law Debenture

Law Debenture: Why AI fears and a UK takeover wave are reshaping Laura Foll’s portfolio (video)

Ferro-Alloy Resources: US Interest, a Near-$1bn Phase One NPV and a New Rare Earths Upside (video)

Lawsons Group: Employee Ownership, Fair Tax and a Strategy to Invest While Others Retreat (video)

Oriole Resources: 28.4g/t Gold at Niambaram Strengthens the Case for a Bigger Cameroon Gold District (video)

BrokerTalk

Cora Gold sees strong bank appetite for US$60m Sanankoro debt financing, Cavendish

1 September 2026

Diversified Energy adds operated drilling to growth playbook, Tennyson Securities

1 September 2026

Criterium Energy moves closer to first gas as SE-MGH agreement signed, Auctus Advisors

1 September 2026

Meridian Holdings growth outlook supported by Meridianbet momentum and deleveraging, Argus Research

24 August 2026

Corero Network Security broadens its cybersecurity reach in 2026

18 August 2026

Funds

Volta Finance declares €0.135 quarterly dividend

18 September 2026

Real Estate Credit Investments declares 3.0p interim dividend

17 September 2026

City Natural Resources Growth and Income PLC: Tufton to pursue established investment strategy

16 September 2026

Global Opportunities Trust shares gain 8.1% in strong August

16 September 2026

AI spending is creating opportunities beyond technology | Ruffer Investment Company

15 September 2026

View all Funds, Market Insights and news >>

FTSE 100 News

Associated British Foods expects FY2026 profit in line as Primark expands digital strategy

10 September 2026

METLEN sells Tamarico II solar and battery storage project in Chile

10 September 2026

GSK’s Shingrix prefilled syringe approved in Japan

10 September 2026

AstraZeneca’s Etcamah approved in US for ESR1-mutated advanced breast cancer

7 September 2026

UK Broker Ratings

Chemring Group PLC (CHG.L) Stock Analysis: A 22% Upside Potential in Aerospace & Defense

15 September 2026

Bankers Investment Trust PLC (BNKR.L): A Deep Dive into Consistent Returns and Strategic Positioning

15 September 2026

Hilton Food Group PLC (HFG.L): Investor Outlook Reveals a 5.25% Dividend Yield Amidst Growth in Revenue

15 September 2026

Baillie Gifford US Growth Trust (USA.L) Stock Analysis: Navigating a Market of Opportunities and Challenges

15 September 2026

B&M European Value Retail PLC (BME.L): Investor Outlook on Dividend Strength and Market Position

15 September 2026

Consumer Defensive

Likewise targets £29.2m raise to expand distribution capacity

Likewise Group plans to raise up to £29.2 million to acquire a Corby distribution hub and expand the infrastructure supporting its long-term growth...

August 3, 2026

Technic Cosmetics returns to Bodycare as retail expansion takes shape

Technic Cosmetics is returning to Bodycare stores as the retailer expands and modernises its beauty offer...

July 31, 2026

Likewise Group plc Fundraising Unlocks the Next Stage of Expansion (video)

Tony Brewer explains how the successful fundraising strengthens the Group’s ability to expand without overleveraging the business. He outlines the role of the new Corby distribution hub, the additional capacity coming online at Newport and Derby, and how these investments could lift annual sales capacity from around £200 million towards £300 million..

July 30, 2026

British American Tobacco H1 2026 revenue rises as new categories grow 18%

British American Tobacco Plc reported higher revenue, stronger New Categories growth and raised expectations for adjusted diluted EPS in FY26...

July 30, 2026

Pets At Home Group Plc Pets at Home reports higher Q1 consumer revenue and maintains FY27 guidance

Pets at Home reported Q1 consumer revenue growth across Vet Group and Retail, and said it has left FY27 guidance unchanged...

July 30, 2026

Likewise Group launches £2 million retail share offer

Likewise Group has opened a retail offer for existing UK shareholders, seeking to raise up to £2 million through new shares priced at 28.5 pence each. The offer closes on 4 August 2026, with admission expected on 17 August 2026...

July 29, 2026

Aston Martin revenue rises 38% in first half of 2026

Aston Martin Lagonda Global Holding reported higher half-year wholesale volumes, revenue and gross profit, with reduced Q2 2026 free cash outflow...

July 29, 2026

Greggs first-half profit rises 20% as sales and market share grow

Greggs reported first-half sales growth and improved profit, maintained its interim dividend and said full-year expectations remain unchanged...

July 29, 2026

Likewise Group proposes £29.2m fundraising to support Corby distribution hub

The flooring distributor plans to raise up to approximately £29.2 million at 28.5 pence per share, partly funding the proposed £9.5 million acquisition of a new 60,000 sq. ft. distribution facility in Corby...

July 28, 2026

Mitchells & Butlers reports 2.2% year-to-date sales growth

Mitchells & Butlers reported resilient third-quarter trading, with year-to-date like-for-like sales growth of 2.2% and unchanged cost inflation expectations...

July 23, 2026

Frasers Group updates on Accent takeover offer period

Frasers Group has updated investors on its all-cash on-market takeover offer for Accent Group Limited, including an extension to the offer period...

July 23, 2026

UK manufacturing strengthens as output rises and supply chain demand builds

UK manufacturing output rose in May as stronger industrial production and demand for secure domestic supply chains improved the sector’s outlook...

July 22, 2026

Wetherspoon warns full-year profit will miss market expectations

J D Wetherspoon has issued a pre-close trading update showing like-for-like sales up 4.0% in the latest 12 weeks and 4.2% year to date. The pub chain opened eight sites, sold nine, and expects year-end net debt of £720 million. Chairman Tim Martin warned full-year profits will likely miss market expectations due to rising costs...

July 22, 2026

Frasers Group exceeds 30% ownership threshold in HUGO BOSS

Frasers Group has increased its holding in HUGO BOSS to 30.28% after further share acquisitions under its voluntary takeover offer...

July 21, 2026

Likewise expands distribution capacity to support its next growth phase

Likewise is expanding its Yorkshire and Newport distribution capacity as it builds the infrastructure needed to support its next stage of growth...

July 15, 2026

Watches of Switzerland FY26 revenue rises 11% as profit before tax jumps 76%

Watches of Switzerland Group reported stronger full-year revenue, profit and cash flow, alongside reduced net debt and updated FY27 guidance...

July 14, 2026

Grafton Group maintains 2026 profit guidance as Iberia and Ireland drive growth

Grafton Group reported modest first-half trading growth, with Iberia, the Island of Ireland and Northern Europe offsetting weakness in Great Britain...