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.

Ocado responds to succession planning speculation

Ocado Group Plc responds to recent speculation on chief executive succession planning and says the CEO and Board continue long-term planning...

June 22, 2026

Tesco Q1 sales rise as customer satisfaction improves, reiterates full-year guidance

Tesco Plc said first-quarter sales grew, customer satisfaction improved and it continues to expect full-year adjusted operating profit of £3.0bn to £3.3bn...

June 18, 2026

Reckitt Benckiser appoints Deborah Waterhouse and Gavin Patterson as non-executive directors

Reckitt has appointed Deborah Waterhouse and Gavin Patterson to its Board as non-executive directors, effective from 1 July 2026...

June 17, 2026

Likewise Group builds momentum ahead of next growth phase

Likewise Group reports stronger trading, new capacity projects and a five-year strategy focused on continued expansion and improved margins...

June 17, 2026

Frasers Group launches all-cash takeover offer for Accent Group shares

Frasers Group has announced an all-cash on-market takeover offer for Accent Group shares not already held, at A$0.65 per share...

June 15, 2026

Likewise builds capacity for next stage of UK flooring expansion

Likewise Group is expanding its distribution and delivery capacity as it targets a larger share of the UK floorcoverings market and the ability to exceed £250 million in annual sales..

June 11, 2026

Grafton Group to outline medium-term growth ambitions at investor event

Grafton will brief analysts and investors on its strategy, medium-term growth ambitions and financial framework at a London event today...

June 11, 2026

Dekel Agri-Vision reports strong May palm oil production growth

Dekel Agri-Vision said May CPO production at its Ayenouan palm oil operation rose 31.9% year on year, supported by higher fruit processing and an improved extraction rate, while cashew processing..

June 10, 2026

British American Tobacco confirms 2026 guidance as New Category growth accelerates

British American Tobacco says it remains on track to deliver full-year 2026 guidance, supported by stronger U.S. performance, accelerating New Category revenue growth, and continued momentum for Velo...

June 2, 2026

Likewise Group reports 16.5% revenue growth, sales growth up 19.1%

Likewise Group plc reports further progress, with year-to-date revenue up 16.5%, May sales up 19.1%, and ongoing investment in distribution capacity, fleet expansion, and operational infrastructure...

June 2, 2026

UK manufacturing output rises more than expected in March

UK manufacturing output rose more than expected in March 2026, with gains across most subsectors giving investors a clearer sign of improved industrial momentum...

June 1, 2026

Palm oil futures extend weekly gains

Palm oil futures posted a second weekly gain as investors weighed biodiesel demand, Indonesian policy risk and rival edible oil prices...

June 1, 2026

Applied Nutrition upgrades FY26 outlook and expands US manufacturing

June 1, 2026

Likewise adds logistics capacity as it builds for larger-scale distribution

Likewise Group’s £3 million Yorkshire distribution centre investment adds logistics capacity, strengthens supply chain control and supports its longer-term revenue growth strategy...

May 29, 2026

Greencore reports strong first half after Bakkavor acquisition

Greencore delivered 3.2% pro forma UK revenue growth and 15.3% growth in pro forma adjusted operating profit in H1 2026, following the acquisition of Bakkavor in January...

May 27, 2026

Palm oil gains as crude oil and currency moves support prices

Palm oil prices rose as stronger crude oil and a weaker ringgit supported the market, while weaker export data kept demand risks in focus...

May 26, 2026

Likewise CEO Tony Brewer on supply chain, growth and logistics investment

Likewise Group CEO Tony Brewer outlines how the company is managing supply pressures, investing in logistics capacity, and building on strong sales growth into 2026...

May 20, 2026

Likewise adds second Yorkshire distribution centre

Likewise has bought a second Yorkshire distribution centre for £3m to increase capacity, improve logistics planning and support future growth...

May 18, 2026

Palm oil prices gain as market drivers turn supportive

Palm oil futures rose as stronger rival oils, firmer crude and a weaker ringgit outweighed softer Malaysian export data...

May 18, 2026

UK-made demand builds investor interest in manufacturing

Rising demand for British-made goods is improving the investment case for UK manufacturers with clear domestic production credentials...

May 15, 2026

News and Interview Alerts

Company Presentations

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

Challenger Energy plc Transforming Exploration Potential into a Frontier Opportunity

Cerillion PLC Annual Results 2024 ‘Record Highs’, Louis Hall CEO

Q&As

Oriole Resources’s CFO outlines next steps at Mbe, Senala, and Bibemi (LON:ORR)

13 July 2026

Sintana Energy fully funded for multi-country drilling programme

9 July 2026

Thor Energy CEO Andrew Hume discusses HY-Range hydrogen results and seismic plans

9 July 2026

Time Finance CEO Ed Rimmer discusses record profit and lending book growth

8 July 2026

PowerPlay Media outlines AIM plans and sports media growth strategy

8 July 2026

Hardman & Co

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

Cavendish plc delivers solid performance in tough markets

24 June 2026

Green News

Quadrise extends Morocco representation agreement

31 July 2026

Ferro-Alloy Resources appoints new CEO and advances US funding plans

31 July 2026

Quadrise and Licella advance low-carbon marine fuel testing

30 July 2026

Drax delivers solid first-half performance and advances growth plans

30 July 2026

View all Sustainable sectors, Plcs and news >>

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Latest Interviews

Oriole Resources Senala JV Unlocks Funded Drilling as Mbe Builds Scale in Cameroon (video)

Sintana Energy: A Fully Funded 10-Well Runway With Mopane Already Anchoring the Story (video)

Thor Energy PLC: Hydrogen Readings Jump 10x as HY-Range Moves Toward Drill Targets (video)

Time Finance: Record Profits, Bigger Margins and £80m of Firepower for the Next Lending Push (video)

PowerPlay Media Targets AIM With $12m Revenue Ambition And Global Sports Rights Momentum (video)

ICG Enterprise Trust PLC: Mark Thomas Sees Exit Momentum Building As Defensive Growth Starts To Bite (video)

BrokerTalk

Sintana Energy’s Atlantic Margin activity pipeline remains firmly in focus, says Cavendish

7 July 2026

Verici Dx FY25 results in line as Tutivia outlook strengthens, says Singer Capital Markets

6 July 2026

Ilika Plc capital raise supports Stereax launch and Goliath progress, says Cavendish

6 July 2026

CMC Markets upgraded to Buy as FY2027 outlook steps higher, Panmure Liberum

1 July 2026

Cavendish plc: Solid performance in still tough markets

30 June 2026

Funds

JEDT European investment fund buoyed by financial sector strength

4 August 2026

Fidelity Emerging Markets outperforms as technology exposure rises highlighted in latest research (LON:FEML)

30 July 2026

Geiger Counter posts strong one-year growth as uranium outlook strengthens

30 July 2026

Biotech Growth Trust notes $2.2 billion acquisition of Forte Biosciences

28 July 2026

Ruffer Investment Company delivers positive 2026 returns

24 July 2026

View all Funds, Market Insights and news >>

FTSE 100 News

Smith & Nephew maintains profit guidance as H1 trading margin improves

4 August 2026

Antofagasta to host Q&A video conference alongside 2026 half-year results

3 August 2026

Pearson reports 4% revenue growth and 14% profit increase in H1 2026

31 July 2026

NatWest Group reports £3.0bn H1 profit and raises 2026 guidance

31 July 2026

UK Broker Ratings

Sirius Real Estate (SRE.L): Investor Outlook Reveals 23.81% Potential Upside Amid Strong Buy Ratings

6 August 2026

Edinburgh Investment Trust PLC (EDIN.L) Stock Analysis: Navigating a Steady Course with Strong Buy Sentiment

6 August 2026

SSP Group PLC (SSPG.L): Investor Insights and Growth Potential Amid a 10.45% Upside

6 August 2026

Syncona Limited (SYNC.L): Analyst Consensus Signals a Striking 90.57% Upside Potential

6 August 2026

Supermarket Income REIT (SUPR.L) Stock Analysis: A High-Yield Opportunity in the Retail Real Estate Sector

6 August 2026

Consumer Defensive

Ocado responds to succession planning speculation

Ocado Group Plc responds to recent speculation on chief executive succession planning and says the CEO and Board continue long-term planning...

June 22, 2026

Tesco Q1 sales rise as customer satisfaction improves, reiterates full-year guidance

Tesco Plc said first-quarter sales grew, customer satisfaction improved and it continues to expect full-year adjusted operating profit of £3.0bn to £3.3bn...

June 18, 2026

Reckitt Benckiser appoints Deborah Waterhouse and Gavin Patterson as non-executive directors

Reckitt has appointed Deborah Waterhouse and Gavin Patterson to its Board as non-executive directors, effective from 1 July 2026...

June 17, 2026

Likewise Group builds momentum ahead of next growth phase

Likewise Group reports stronger trading, new capacity projects and a five-year strategy focused on continued expansion and improved margins...

June 17, 2026

Frasers Group launches all-cash takeover offer for Accent Group shares

Frasers Group has announced an all-cash on-market takeover offer for Accent Group shares not already held, at A$0.65 per share...

June 15, 2026

Likewise builds capacity for next stage of UK flooring expansion

Likewise Group is expanding its distribution and delivery capacity as it targets a larger share of the UK floorcoverings market and the ability to exceed £250 million in annual sales revenue...

June 11, 2026

Grafton Group to outline medium-term growth ambitions at investor event

Grafton will brief analysts and investors on its strategy, medium-term growth ambitions and financial framework at a London event today...

June 11, 2026

Dekel Agri-Vision reports strong May palm oil production growth

Dekel Agri-Vision said May CPO production at its Ayenouan palm oil operation rose 31.9% year on year, supported by higher fruit processing and an improved extraction rate, while cashew processing remained stable...

June 10, 2026

British American Tobacco confirms 2026 guidance as New Category growth accelerates

June 2, 2026

Likewise Group reports 16.5% revenue growth, sales growth up 19.1%

June 2, 2026

UK manufacturing output rises more than expected in March

UK manufacturing output rose more than expected in March 2026, with gains across most subsectors giving investors a clearer sign of improved industrial momentum...

June 1, 2026

Palm oil futures extend weekly gains

Palm oil futures posted a second weekly gain as investors weighed biodiesel demand, Indonesian policy risk and rival edible oil prices...

June 1, 2026

Applied Nutrition upgrades FY26 outlook and expands US manufacturing

Applied Nutrition expects FY26 revenue of about £148m, excluding its Nutrablend acquisition, and has acquired a US manufacturing facility in Buffalo, New York. The group also announced a North American flavour collaboration with Mondelēz International for SOUR PATCH KIDS® and SWEDISH FISH® branded sports nutrition products...

June 1, 2026

Likewise adds logistics capacity as it builds for larger-scale distribution

Likewise Group’s £3 million Yorkshire distribution centre investment adds logistics capacity, strengthens supply chain control and supports its longer-term revenue growth strategy...

May 29, 2026

Greencore reports strong first half after Bakkavor acquisition

Greencore delivered 3.2% pro forma UK revenue growth and 15.3% growth in pro forma adjusted operating profit in H1 2026, following the acquisition of Bakkavor in January...

May 27, 2026

Palm oil gains as crude oil and currency moves support prices

Palm oil prices rose as stronger crude oil and a weaker ringgit supported the market, while weaker export data kept demand risks in focus...

May 26, 2026

Likewise CEO Tony Brewer on supply chain, growth and logistics investment

Likewise Group CEO Tony Brewer outlines how the company is managing supply pressures, investing in logistics capacity, and building on strong sales growth into 2026...