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.

Imperial Brands reiterates FY26 guidance after solid first-half start

Imperial Brands plc (LOn:imb) has announced its trading update: reiterating full-year guidance; positive start to 2030 transformation. · Robust tobacco pricing and NGP innovation expected to drive low-single-digit percent growth in..

April 14, 2026

Dekel Agri-Vision delivers strong Q1 2026 progress across palm oil and cashew operations

April 10, 2026

Palm oil prices climb as biodiesel demand strengthens the outlook

Palm oil prices are climbing as stronger biodiesel demand and firmer energy markets improve the sector’s outlook...

April 1, 2026

Unilever in advanced talks with McCormick on Foods transaction

Unilever said it is in advanced discussions with McCormick on a potential deal combining most of its Foods business with McCormick, including an upfront cash component of about US$15.7 billion..

March 31, 2026

A.G. BARR launches rebranded IRN-BRU Zero across the UK

A.G. BARR has introduced IRN-BRU Zero, replacing IRN-BRU XTRA with updated branding and expanded UK distribution to strengthen its position in the growing low-calorie soft drinks market...

March 23, 2026

Unilever confirms talks with McCormick over Foods business

Unilever says it has received an inbound offer for its Foods division and is in discussions with McCormick, while emphasizing the unit’s strong performance and strategic value...

March 20, 2026

Palm oil strength builds on energy and China demand signals

Rising energy prices and stronger Chinese demand are pushing palm oil higher, with investors watching whether these trends can sustain the rally...

March 16, 2026

UK manufacturing momentum builds as export demand strengthens

UK manufacturing is showing early signs of stabilisation in 2026 as stronger export demand supports output growth despite continued cost pressures...

March 10, 2026

Dekel Agri-Vision sees production pick-up and strong prices in February update

Dekel Agri-Vision reported stronger palm oil output towards the end of February and continued firm CPO prices, while cashew processing resumed full capacity as the raw cashew nut purchasing season..

March 10, 2026

Palm oil rally highlights stronger biofuel demand and tightening market balance

Rising energy prices and stronger biodiesel economics are driving a renewed surge in palm oil demand and prices...

March 9, 2026

Hunting PLC Provides Cost Reduction Plan Update and Capital Allocation Changes

Hunting PLC announced an update to its cost reduction programme alongside changes to its capital allocation strategy. The company outlined measures aimed at improving efficiency and supporting long-term financial performance...

March 5, 2026

The Flooring Show positions sector leaders for commercial advantage

UK flooring trade exhibition showcasing suppliers and strengthening industry relationships, with Likewise maintaining an active commercial presence...

March 4, 2026

Palm oil pushes higher as energy and rival oils tighten the market

Palm oil has reached a one week high as strength in rival oils and energy markets sharpens investor focus on supply, policy and positioning...

March 2, 2026

Bunzl delivers modest revenue growth in 2025; outlook for stable 2026

Bunzl plc reported 3.0% revenue growth at constant exchange rates in 2025, driven by acquisitions, while adjusted operating profit declined 4.3% and margin fell to 7.7%...

March 2, 2026

UK manufacturing sector navigates structural shift in 2025

UK manufacturing added significant value in 2025 and entered 2026 with firmer order momentum, even as firms continued to streamline their workforces and manage cost pressures...

February 27, 2026

Palm oil finds support as global edible oil complex strengthens

Palm oil has rebounded alongside stronger soya oil and energy markets, signalling improving cross commodity support and renewed investor interest...

February 25, 2026

Likewise sets stage for enhanced profitability through 2026 pricing strategy

Likewise is strengthening margins and positioning for continued growth through targeted price increases and operational scale...

February 19, 2026

Vp plc Earnings Reset Reflects Market Headwinds, Says Equity Development

Vp plc resets earnings expectations amid market headwinds, with Equity Development highlighting recovery potential and attractive sub 10x valuation...

February 13, 2026

UK manufacturing rebounds as export demand and output accelerate

UK manufacturers begin 2026 with rising output and export demand, signalling an early-stage recovery in a rate-sensitive sector...

February 12, 2026

Coca-Cola HBC AG reports strong 2025 results with 8.1% organic revenue growth

Coca-Cola HBC AG delivered strong growth in 2025, with organic revenue up 8.1% and organic EBIT up 11.5%, driven by volume growth in Sparkling and Energy, disciplined revenue growth management,..

February 10, 2026

News and Interview Alerts

Company Presentations

Norcros Plc CEO and CFO Present Interim Results to 30 September 2024 (LON:NXR)

Ilika plc: A New Era in Solid-State Battery Innovation – 2024 Investor Presentation

Time Finance PLC Strong Growth and Strategic Progress: A Message from CEO Ed Rimmer

SAE Renewables Future Strategy to 2035 and Investment Case by Graham Reid CEO

Q&As

Firering Strategic Minerals’ Vassilios Carellas discusses Limeco growth plans

4 June 2026

DynaResource CEO Rohan Hazelton outlines Q1 growth and 2026 exploration plans

4 June 2026

Douglas Grant, Manx Financial CEO, on 2025 results, deposit growth and 2026 outlook

4 June 2026

EDX Medical targets AIM growth with ultra-accurate cancer diagnostics

20 May 2026

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

20 May 2026

Hardman & Co

Cavendish plc: Solid performance in still tough markets

30 June 2026

Cavendish plc delivers solid performance in tough markets

24 June 2026

ICG Enterprise Trust FY’26 results: look to future realisations

11 June 2026

NB Private Equity Partners 2025 results: Looking to future realisations

29 May 2026

Chesnara Plc: Showing good operational progress

17 April 2026

Green News

Quadrise plc launches proposed fundraise to support commercial trials and growth

8 July 2026

Ilika raises £4.56m in oversubscribed placing and subscription

3 July 2026

Ilika launches Retail Offer to raise up to £0.5 Million

3 July 2026

Net Zero Infrastructure appoints Clear Capital Markets as broker

1 July 2026

View all Sustainable sectors, Plcs and news >>

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Latest Interviews

Firering Strategic Minerals: LimeCo Stake Rises as Kilns 3 and 4 Set Up the Next Growth Test (video)

DynaResource: Higher Revenues, New Veins And A 2026 Push To Unlock San José de Gracia’s Bigger Prize (video)

Manx Financial Group Expands Lending Push with Deposits Up 12% and New Products Incoming (video)

EDX Medical Group: Sir Chris Evans on the Diagnostics Shift That Could Redefine Early Cancer Detection (video)

Chesnara: Why Two Deals Are Reshaping Cash Generation and Dividend Confidence (video)

BrokerTalk

Biotech Growth Trust: A focused route into a biotech recovery

26 May 2026

Hercules Plc reports robust FY25 growth, says latest SP Angel research note

25 May 2026

Sintana Energy enters a high-impact drilling phase, Auctus Advisors

21 May 2026

Finseta fundraising supports European growth plans, says Shore Capital

20 May 2026

Alien Metals looks well supported by GreenTech progress, says Turner Pope

20 May 2026

Funds

Biotech Growth Trust: The biotech rebound powered by innovation, valuations and pharma’s patent cliff

8 July 2026

TEAM plc completes acquisition of EPIC Book

1 July 2026

Geiger Counter reports 21.6% NAV increase in interim results

30 June 2026

Fidelity China Special Situations outperforms amid China’s tech revival (LON: FCSS)

30 June 2026

Fidelity Asian Values sees investors rotate into Asian small-cap value

30 June 2026

View all Funds, Market Insights and news >>

FTSE 100 News

Smiths Group completes Smiths Detection sale and outlines shareholder return plan

1 July 2026

Segro Plc rejects Prologis proposal and outlines value case

30 June 2026

Vodafone confirms completion of Safaricom stake acquisition

30 June 2026

SSE’s SSEN Transmission welcomes NESO’s Beyond 2030 Update

30 June 2026

UK Broker Ratings

FirstGroup PLC (FGP.L) Stock Report: Exploring a 40.91% Potential Upside and Robust Dividends

7 July 2026

Goodwin PLC ORD 10P (GDWN.L) Stock Analysis: Strong Revenue Growth Amidst Uncertain Valuation

7 July 2026

Chemring Group PLC (CHG.L) Stock Analysis: Aerospace & Defense Leader with 10.22% Potential Upside

7 July 2026

Alfa Financial Software Holdings (ALFA.L) Stock Analysis: A 66.34% Upside Potential Beckons Investors

7 July 2026

Hilton Food Group (HFG.L) Stock Analysis: Exploring a 27.59% Upside Potential for Investors

7 July 2026

Consumer Defensive

Imperial Brands reiterates FY26 guidance after solid first-half start

April 14, 2026

Dekel Agri-Vision delivers strong Q1 2026 progress across palm oil and cashew operations

Dekel Agri-Vision reported a strong start to 2026, with palm oil production gaining momentum in March as the high season began and pricing remaining historically strong. The cashew operation continued to advance, with production up 73.5% and sales rising 144.8%, supporting expectations for further growth in Q2...

April 10, 2026

Palm oil prices climb as biodiesel demand strengthens the outlook

Palm oil prices are climbing as stronger biodiesel demand and firmer energy markets improve the sector’s outlook...

April 1, 2026

Unilever in advanced talks with McCormick on Foods transaction

Unilever said it is in advanced discussions with McCormick on a potential deal combining most of its Foods business with McCormick, including an upfront cash component of about US$15.7 billion and majority consideration in McCormick equity...

March 31, 2026

A.G. BARR launches rebranded IRN-BRU Zero across the UK

A.G. BARR has introduced IRN-BRU Zero, replacing IRN-BRU XTRA with updated branding and expanded UK distribution to strengthen its position in the growing low-calorie soft drinks market...

March 23, 2026

Unilever confirms talks with McCormick over Foods business

Unilever says it has received an inbound offer for its Foods division and is in discussions with McCormick, while emphasizing the unit’s strong performance and strategic value...

March 20, 2026

Palm oil strength builds on energy and China demand signals

Rising energy prices and stronger Chinese demand are pushing palm oil higher, with investors watching whether these trends can sustain the rally...

March 16, 2026

UK manufacturing momentum builds as export demand strengthens

UK manufacturing is showing early signs of stabilisation in 2026 as stronger export demand supports output growth despite continued cost pressures...

March 10, 2026

Dekel Agri-Vision sees production pick-up and strong prices in February update

Dekel Agri-Vision reported stronger palm oil output towards the end of February and continued firm CPO prices, while cashew processing resumed full capacity as the raw cashew nut purchasing season commenced...

March 10, 2026

Palm oil rally highlights stronger biofuel demand and tightening market balance

Rising energy prices and stronger biodiesel economics are driving a renewed surge in palm oil demand and prices...

March 9, 2026

Hunting PLC Provides Cost Reduction Plan Update and Capital Allocation Changes

March 5, 2026

The Flooring Show positions sector leaders for commercial advantage

UK flooring trade exhibition showcasing suppliers and strengthening industry relationships, with Likewise maintaining an active commercial presence...

March 4, 2026

Palm oil pushes higher as energy and rival oils tighten the market

Palm oil has reached a one week high as strength in rival oils and energy markets sharpens investor focus on supply, policy and positioning...

March 2, 2026

Bunzl delivers modest revenue growth in 2025; outlook for stable 2026

Bunzl plc reported 3.0% revenue growth at constant exchange rates in 2025, driven by acquisitions, while adjusted operating profit declined 4.3% and margin fell to 7.7%...

March 2, 2026

UK manufacturing sector navigates structural shift in 2025

UK manufacturing added significant value in 2025 and entered 2026 with firmer order momentum, even as firms continued to streamline their workforces and manage cost pressures...

February 27, 2026

Palm oil finds support as global edible oil complex strengthens

Palm oil has rebounded alongside stronger soya oil and energy markets, signalling improving cross commodity support and renewed investor interest...

February 25, 2026

Likewise sets stage for enhanced profitability through 2026 pricing strategy

Likewise is strengthening margins and positioning for continued growth through targeted price increases and operational scale...

February 19, 2026

Vp plc Earnings Reset Reflects Market Headwinds, Says Equity Development

Vp plc resets earnings expectations amid market headwinds, with Equity Development highlighting recovery potential and attractive sub 10x valuation...

February 13, 2026

UK manufacturing rebounds as export demand and output accelerate

UK manufacturers begin 2026 with rising output and export demand, signalling an early-stage recovery in a rate-sensitive sector...

February 12, 2026

Coca-Cola HBC AG reports strong 2025 results with 8.1% organic revenue growth

Coca-Cola HBC AG delivered strong growth in 2025, with organic revenue up 8.1% and organic EBIT up 11.5%, driven by volume growth in Sparkling and Energy, disciplined revenue growth management, and continued investment in digital and AI capabilities...

February 10, 2026