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.

J Sainsbury Plc appoints two new Non-Executive Directors

J Sainsbury plc welcomes Katie Bickerstaffe and Steve Hare as Non-Executive Directors, enhancing board expertise in retail and digital business strategies...

April 3, 2025

Associated British Foods’ Primark Chief Executive resigns following investigation

Associated British Foods plc announces the resignation of Primark CEO Paul Marchant amid an investigation into behavior allegations, with interim leadership appointed...

March 31, 2025

Bunzl Plc reports record acquisition spend, reiterates 2025 guidance

Bunzl plc reports impressive annual results for 2024, showcasing strong revenue growth, expanded operating margins, and a record year for acquisitions...

March 3, 2025

J Sainsbury Plc sells Argos Financial Services card portfolio to NewDay Group

J Sainsbury PLC has sold its Argos Financial Services card portfolio to NewDay Group, with migration planned for Q1 2026. Learn more about this strategic move...

March 3, 2025

Unilever Plc Chief Executive Officer Hein Schumacher to step down

Unilever plc (LON:ULVR) announces leadership changes as Hein Schumacher steps down as CEO, with Fernando Fernandez succeeding him effective March 2025...

February 25, 2025

Coca-Cola HBC reports strong organic revenue growth of 13.8%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (LON:CCH) reports a robust 13.8% organic revenue growth in 2024, driven by strategic priorities and expansion across core categories...

February 13, 2025

British American Tobacco committed to Building a Smokeless World

British American Tobacco Plc (LON:BATS) reports 2024 results, highlighting a focus on smokeless products, improved profitability, and strategic investments...

February 13, 2025

Diageo Plc returns to growth H1 results, outperforming in North America

Diageo Plc reports interim results with a 1% rise in organic net sales despite challenging conditions, highlighting strong regional market gains...

February 4, 2025

Associated British Foods Plc downgrades Primark sales growth for 2025

Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) reveals mixed outcomes in its early 2025 trading update, with varied performance across business segments...

January 23, 2025

J Sainsbury Plc boosts market share and sales with record-breaking Christmas

J Sainsbury Plc achieved its fifth consecutive year of Christmas market share growth, with strong sales and customer satisfaction during the festive season...

January 10, 2025

Tesco Plc reports record Christmas sales and market share growth

Tesco Plc (LON:TSCO) reports a strong Q3 and Christmas trading performance for 2024/25, marking significant sales growth and increased market share...

January 9, 2025

Bunzl’s 2024 financial update: Growth, acquisitions and strategic plans

Bunzl plc forecasts a strong 2024 with revenue growth driven by acquisitions, despite deflation challenges, and announces a £200m buyback for 2025...

December 17, 2024

Bunzl plc Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee Lloyd Pitchford to step down

Bunzl plc announces that Lloyd Pitchford will step down as Audit Committee Chair in April 2025, with Julia Wilson set to succeed him...

December 12, 2024

British American Tobacco forecasts strong H2 growth and new categories innovation

British American Tobacco Plc is set to deliver its FY24 guidance, boosted by New Categories innovation and strategic investments, amidst strong cash flow...

December 11, 2024

Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc strengthens Board with NED appointments

Reckitt Benckiser appoints Mahesh Madhavan and Stefan Oschmann as Non-Executive Directors to strengthen its Board from January 2025...

November 27, 2024

Imperial Brands Plc reports further growth, gaining market share

Imperial Brands PLC reports a robust 2024 with 4.6% revenue growth, significant gains in market share, and a 10.9% increase in adjusted earnings per share...

November 19, 2024

Associated British Foods Plc delivers substantial improvement in profitability

Associated British Foods plc reports strong financial results for the year ending 14 September 2024, showcasing impressive profitability and growth in various sectors...

November 5, 2024

Sainsbury (J) Expanding Aldi Price Match Initiative to Convenience Stores Positive say Shore Capital

Sainsbury's extends its Aldi Price Match to Local stores, enhancing value with competitive pricing on 200 essential items, driving customer satisfaction...

November 4, 2024

Imperial Brands increases shareholder returns for FY25

Imperial Brands reports steady growth in tobacco and NGP, raises FY24 dividend by 4.5%, and plans enhanced shareholder returns in FY25...

October 8, 2024

Tesco Plc volume growth delivering strong financial performance

Tesco PLC reports strong 2024/25 interim results with sales and profit growth driven by enhanced customer offerings and market share gains...

October 3, 2024

News and Interview Alerts

Company Presentations

Valeura Energy Q2 2023 Results by Sean Guest CEO

Accrol Group Holdings Investor Presentation 2023

TEAM Plc’s Mark Clubb reviews 2022 and sets out the Company plans for 2023

Enteq Technologies Investor Presentation 2023

Q&As

Hardman & Co

Volta Finance: Liquid access to outperforming private credit

6 October 2025

Real Estate Credit Investments: What RECI brings to investors

15 September 2025

Chesnara Plc: Showing good operational progress

8 September 2025

Arbuthnot Banking Group 1H’25 results: Growing where it wants to

30 July 2025

Green News

Drax to acquire three battery storage projects totalling 260MW from Apatura

30 October 2025

View all Sustainable sectors, Plcs and news >>

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Latest Interviews

Ilika plc Stereax Micro Batteries Enter Production with Customer Deliveries on the Horizon (Video)

TEAM plc Mark Clubb Executive Chairman Sets Sights on £2 billion as UCITS Launch Fuels Global Growth

ICG Enterprise Trust: Inside the Numbers Driving Outperformance in Private Equity (Video)

BrokerTalk

Arbuthnot Banking Group Demonstrates Capital Discipline and Strategic Progress, Shore Capital Notes

24 July 2025

CyanConnode: A Stronger Foundation and Growing Momentum – Highlights Panmure Liberum

23 July 2025

Synectics Maintains Strong Momentum with Promising FY25 Outlook – Shore Capital

22 July 2025

Pharos Energy Reaffirms Production Guidance and Strengthens Balance Sheet – Shore Capital

21 July 2025

Funds

Fidelity’s China investment trust reports continued strong gains on macro tailwinds (LON:FCSS)

28 October 2025

Fidelity Emerging Markets Investment Trust reports over 34% 12-month NAV rise

28 October 2025

Fidelity Asian Values rises further with Hong Kong portfolio enhancing returns

28 October 2025

Fidelity European Trust continued rise as shares advanced in ASML and AIB

28 October 2025

Fidelity Special Values reports 29% share price return over one year beating index (LON:FSV)

28 October 2025

View all Funds, Market Insights and news >>

FTSE 100 News

UK Broker Ratings

Syncona Limited (SYNC.L) Stock Analysis: Navigating a Market Cap of $623 Million and Technical Indicators

30 October 2025

Supermarket Income REIT plc (SUPR.L) Stock Analysis: Navigating a Unique Real Estate Opportunity

30 October 2025

Spectris PLC (SXS.L) Stock Analysis: Exploring the Market Dynamics and Valuation Insights

30 October 2025

Spire Healthcare Group PLC (SPI.L) Stock Analysis: A Promising 22.84% Potential Upside for Patient Investors

30 October 2025

SSP GROUP PLC (SSPG.L) Stock Analysis: A Mixed Bag with a 42% Potential Upside

30 October 2025

Consumer Defensive

J Sainsbury Plc appoints two new Non-Executive Directors

J Sainsbury plc welcomes Katie Bickerstaffe and Steve Hare as Non-Executive Directors, enhancing board expertise in retail and digital business strategies...

April 3, 2025

Associated British Foods’ Primark Chief Executive resigns following investigation

Associated British Foods plc announces the resignation of Primark CEO Paul Marchant amid an investigation into behavior allegations, with interim leadership appointed...

March 31, 2025

Bunzl Plc reports record acquisition spend, reiterates 2025 guidance

Bunzl plc reports impressive annual results for 2024, showcasing strong revenue growth, expanded operating margins, and a record year for acquisitions...

March 3, 2025

J Sainsbury Plc sells Argos Financial Services card portfolio to NewDay Group

J Sainsbury PLC has sold its Argos Financial Services card portfolio to NewDay Group, with migration planned for Q1 2026. Learn more about this strategic move...

March 3, 2025

Unilever Plc Chief Executive Officer Hein Schumacher to step down

Unilever plc (LON:ULVR) announces leadership changes as Hein Schumacher steps down as CEO, with Fernando Fernandez succeeding him effective March 2025...

February 25, 2025

Coca-Cola HBC reports strong organic revenue growth of 13.8%

Coca-Cola HBC AG (LON:CCH) reports a robust 13.8% organic revenue growth in 2024, driven by strategic priorities and expansion across core categories...

February 13, 2025

British American Tobacco committed to Building a Smokeless World

British American Tobacco Plc (LON:BATS) reports 2024 results, highlighting a focus on smokeless products, improved profitability, and strategic investments...

February 13, 2025

Diageo Plc returns to growth H1 results, outperforming in North America

Diageo Plc reports interim results with a 1% rise in organic net sales despite challenging conditions, highlighting strong regional market gains...

February 4, 2025

Associated British Foods Plc downgrades Primark sales growth for 2025

Associated British Foods plc (LON:ABF) reveals mixed outcomes in its early 2025 trading update, with varied performance across business segments...

January 23, 2025

J Sainsbury Plc boosts market share and sales with record-breaking Christmas

J Sainsbury Plc achieved its fifth consecutive year of Christmas market share growth, with strong sales and customer satisfaction during the festive season...

January 10, 2025

Tesco Plc reports record Christmas sales and market share growth

Tesco Plc (LON:TSCO) reports a strong Q3 and Christmas trading performance for 2024/25, marking significant sales growth and increased market share...

January 9, 2025

Bunzl’s 2024 financial update: Growth, acquisitions and strategic plans

Bunzl plc forecasts a strong 2024 with revenue growth driven by acquisitions, despite deflation challenges, and announces a £200m buyback for 2025...

December 17, 2024

Bunzl plc Non-Executive Director and Chair of the Audit Committee Lloyd Pitchford to step down

Bunzl plc announces that Lloyd Pitchford will step down as Audit Committee Chair in April 2025, with Julia Wilson set to succeed him...

December 12, 2024

British American Tobacco forecasts strong H2 growth and new categories innovation

British American Tobacco Plc is set to deliver its FY24 guidance, boosted by New Categories innovation and strategic investments, amidst strong cash flow...

December 11, 2024

Reckitt Benckiser Group Plc strengthens Board with NED appointments

Reckitt Benckiser appoints Mahesh Madhavan and Stefan Oschmann as Non-Executive Directors to strengthen its Board from January 2025...

November 27, 2024

Imperial Brands Plc reports further growth, gaining market share

Imperial Brands PLC reports a robust 2024 with 4.6% revenue growth, significant gains in market share, and a 10.9% increase in adjusted earnings per share...

November 19, 2024

Associated British Foods Plc delivers substantial improvement in profitability

Associated British Foods plc reports strong financial results for the year ending 14 September 2024, showcasing impressive profitability and growth in various sectors...

November 5, 2024

Sainsbury (J) Expanding Aldi Price Match Initiative to Convenience Stores Positive say Shore Capital

Sainsbury's extends its Aldi Price Match to Local stores, enhancing value with competitive pricing on 200 essential items, driving customer satisfaction...