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.

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

ASOS completes Atlanta fulfilment centre lease assignment and asset sale

ASOS has completed the Atlanta fulfilment centre transaction, generating c.£48m net proceeds and c.£6m annual cash savings...

July 1, 2026

Trainline appoints Niall McBride as Audit and Risk Committee Chair and independent non-executive director

Trainline has appointed Niall McBride as Audit and Risk Committee Chair and independent non-executive director, effective from 1 July 2026...

June 30, 2026

British American Tobacco updates South Africa branch register dividend details

British American Tobacco Plc declared an interim dividend of 245.04p per share for 2026, paid in four quarterly instalments. The August 2026 dividend of 61.26p per share is payable on..

June 30, 2026

News and Interview Alerts

Company Presentations

Time Finance Profits Surge, Book Grows 86% as New Strategy Targets £300m Lending

Q&As

CMC Markets – A catch up with Lord Peter Cruddas

8 October 2026

Biotech Growth Trust Portfolio Manager on valuations, M&A and sector recovery

30 September 2026

CMC Markets MD Chris Cheverall on 24/7 market access, CMC Connect and AI opportunities

30 September 2026

Premier Miton UK Multi Cap Income Fund: The case for UK income and small-cap stocks

24 September 2026

Personal Group praised by Fund Manager for income growth and market share gains

23 September 2026

Hardman & Co

ICG Enterprise Trust: Investor questions answered and 1HFY’27 results

14 October 2026

Neuberger Private Equity Partners Limited 1H’26 results: Foot on the accelerator

8 October 2026

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

Green News

Ferro-Alloy Resources appoints Peter Secker as CEO

26 October 2026

Ilika launches ORKA brand for deep-sea battery systems

22 October 2026

Drax Group Shares Offer Significant Valuation Upside as Data Centre Opportunity Remains Intact, Says Longspur Research

13 October 2026

Ampeak Energy Director Buys 500,000 shares in market purchase

6 October 2026

View all Sustainable sectors, Plcs and news >>

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Latest Interviews

The Biotech Growth Trust plc – Why Biotech’s Recovery Could Still Have Further to Run (video)

CMC Markets Chris Cheverall Explains Why 24/7 Liquidity and AI Could Reshape CMC Connect (video)

Touchstone Exploration: Paul Baay targets new production as Cascadura optimisation gathers momentum (video)

Premier Miton UK Multi Cap Income Fund: Gervais Williams on the overlooked UK income stocks (video)

Ilika plc: Goliath gains commercial momentum as validation, defence interest and Brompton trials converge (video)

Cora Gold: Standout Zone B grades point to a bigger Sanankoro mine plan (video)

BrokerTalk

Cora Gold moves closer to construction readiness at Sanankoro as funding risk recedes, Cavendish

5 September 2026

Valeura Energy accelerates Wassana first oil as 2027 production outlook improves, Auctus Advisors

4 September 2026

Physitrack Q2 2026 Shows ARR Growth, RTM Launch and Wellness Profit Recovery, Redeye

2 September 2026

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

Funds

Real Estate Credit Investments reports 10.5% dividend yield and £5m Spanish loan commitment

28 October 2026

City Natural Resources Growth and Income PLC

City Natural Resources Growth and Income reports 76.6% annual NAV return

28 October 2026

Volta Finance generates €38m in interest income with 1.8x dividend cover

22 October 2026

Geiger Counter highlights strong uranium market fundamentals and growing nuclear demand

21 October 2026

City Natural Resources Chairman Christopher Casey outlines Tufton’s investment strategy

21 October 2026

View all Funds, Market Insights and news >>

FTSE 100 News

Rio Tinto to invest $1.9 billion in Queensland bauxite project

23 October 2026

Barclays reports 12% profit growth, announces £500m share buyback

22 October 2026

LSEG raises 2026 guidance after 8.8% Q3 income growth

22 October 2026

RELX reports 7% underlying revenue growth and reaffirms full-year outlook

22 October 2026

UK Broker Ratings

Cranswick PLC (CWK.L) Stock Analysis: Evaluating a 20.73% Upside Potential in Packaged Foods

28 October 2026

Coats Group PLC (COA.L) Stock Analysis: Strong Buy Ratings and 45% Potential Upside

28 October 2026

Bellway PLC (BWY.L): An Investor’s Insight into Growth Potential with a 21% Revenue Surge

28 October 2026

Close Brothers Group PLC (CBG.L): Analyst Ratings Signal a 34.63% Potential Upside

28 October 2026

Chemring Group PLC (CHG.L) Investor Outlook: Exploring a 14.74% Potential Upside in the Aerospace & Defense Sector

28 October 2026

Consumer Defensive

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...

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

ASOS completes Atlanta fulfilment centre lease assignment and asset sale

ASOS has completed the Atlanta fulfilment centre transaction, generating c.£48m net proceeds and c.£6m annual cash savings...

July 1, 2026

Trainline appoints Niall McBride as Audit and Risk Committee Chair and independent non-executive director

Trainline has appointed Niall McBride as Audit and Risk Committee Chair and independent non-executive director, effective from 1 July 2026...

June 30, 2026

British American Tobacco updates South Africa branch register dividend details

British American Tobacco Plc declared an interim dividend of 245.04p per share for 2026, paid in four quarterly instalments. The August 2026 dividend of 61.26p per share is payable on 14 August 2026 to shareholders on the UK and South Africa registers. For South African shareholders, the dividend converts to 1,331.05115 cents per share before tax...

June 30, 2026