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.

Palm oil edges into focus as shifting dynamics create room for selective positioning

Palm oil is beginning to show signs of stabilisation as shifting demand dynamics and disciplined price action create room for selective opportunity...

November 4, 2025

Associated British Foods reports FY2025 results with earnings decline

Associated British Foods plc reported a 1% decline in group revenue to £19.5 billion for the year ended 13 September 2025, with adjusted operating profit down 12% to £1.73 billion...

November 4, 2025

Palm oil prices react to signals beyond supply

Palm oil prices edge higher as cross-commodity signals and a weaker ringgit reshape margin dynamics for producers...

October 30, 2025

C&C Group reports solid HY2026 results with earnings and dividend growth

C&C Group plc, owner of Tennent’s and Bulmers, has announced results for the six months ended 31 August 2025, delivering performance in line with expectations...

October 28, 2025

Greencore–Bakkavor merger clears CMA Phase 1

Greencore and Bakkavor announced that the UK Competition and Markets Authority has completed its Phase 1 review of their proposed merger, raising no competition issues across about 99% of the..

October 27, 2025

Palm oil prices start to shift under a different kind of pressure

Palm oil prices are beginning to reflect more than food demand, energy markets are rewriting the script...

October 24, 2025

Unilever Plc Q3 2025, 3.9% USG, Dividend Up, Outlook Reaffirmed

Unilever reported underlying sales growth of 3.9% in Q3 2025, with 1.5% from volume and 2.4% from price. Turnover was €14.7bn, down 3.5% mainly from currency and disposals...

October 23, 2025

Reckitt Benckiser posts 7% Q3 revenue growth

Reckitt Benckiser delivered a 7% rise in like-for-like group revenue for Q3 2025, supported by 6.7% growth in Core Reckitt and strong momentum in Emerging Markets...

October 22, 2025

Unilever revises Magnum demerger timetable Amid US government shutdown

Unilever has announced a revision to the timetable for the planned demerger of The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. due to the ongoing US federal government shutdown...

October 21, 2025

Bunzl Plc reports steady Q3 trading, reaffirms 2025 outlook

Bunzl plc has reported a 0.6% increase in Q3 revenue at constant exchange rates, with underlying revenue up 0.4% despite challenging market conditions...

October 21, 2025

B&M lowers FY26 outlook following £7m freight cost adjustment and CFO resignation

B&M European Value Retail has revised its FY26 outlook after identifying around £7 million of overseas freight costs that were not correctly recorded due to a system update earlier in..

October 20, 2025

Palm oil futures edge up as crude and rival oils firm

Palm oil futures are finding support from stronger crude and rival oils as investors watch supply and demand tighten...

October 16, 2025

Palm oil futures edge higher as energy markets realign

Palm oil futures are rising again as firmer crude oil prices and stronger Asian demand revive investor interest in one of the world’s most traded commodities...

October 14, 2025

Dekel Agri-Vision Q3 2025: Strong cashew growth supports operations

Dekel Agri-Vision reported a strong Q3 2025 performance at its cashew operation in Tiebissou, with processing up 354% and sales almost sixfold year-on-year, supported by new equipment and improved efficiency...

October 10, 2025

Bunzl Plc expands with acquisitions in Ireland and Spain

Bunzl =has completed the acquisitions of Caterline Catering Equipment Ltd in Ireland and Anta y Jesús, S.L.U in Spain, each generating revenue of €6 million (£5 million) in 2024...

October 8, 2025

Warpaint London appoints Berenberg as joint Corporate Broker

Warpaint London, the colour cosmetics supplier and brand owner, has appointed Berenberg as joint corporate broker, working alongside Shore Capital with immediate effect...

October 8, 2025

Palm oil finds new momentum as supply tightens

Palm oil edges higher as Malaysia’s production slows and supply dynamics begin to tighten...

October 7, 2025

B&M launches ‘Back to B&M Basics’ plan after weaker H1 trading

B&M European Value Retail reported group revenue growth of 4% to £2.75bn in H1 FY26, but UK like-for-like sales were down 1.1% in Q2. CEO Tjeerd Jegen has launched a..

October 7, 2025

Imperial Brands Plc confirms FY25 guidance, £1.45bn FY26 share buyback

Imperial Brands expects FY25 results in line with guidance, supported by growth in tobacco and NGP. The group has announced a £1.45 billion share buyback for FY26, alongside continued dividend..

October 7, 2025

Palm oil futures find fresh momentum as exports and energy align

Palm oil futures climbed this week as currency, exports and energy markets combined to create a stronger backdrop..

October 3, 2025

News and Interview Alerts

Company Presentations

Enteq Technologies Investor Presentation 2023

R&Q Insurance Holdings overview, investment case and progress (VIDEO)

TEAM plc poised for future growth (VIDEO)

Pennant International Group Investor Presentation with CEO Philip Walker

Q&As

Arbuthnot Banking Group set for profit stability as credit quality improves (LON:ARBB)

1 May 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 >>

Search

Latest Interviews

BrokerTalk

Diversified Energy Q1 Results Impress as Carlyle Partnership Opens New Growth Chapter, Tennyson Securities

8 May 2026

IP Group’s New Chair Designate Signals Confidence in Long Term Growth, Equity Development

7 May 2026

Drax Group Trading Update Highlights Strong Visibility and Strategic Flexibility, Says Longspur Research

7 May 2026

Ferro-Alloy Resources Progresses Balasausqandiq Development as Panmure Liberum Maintains BUY Rating

7 May 2026

Sintana Energy Positioned for Major Exploration Catalysts Over the Next 24 Months, Says Auctus Advisors

7 May 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

Sage revenue rises 11% as cloud and AI growth accelerates

29 July 2026

St. James’s Place reports record £240.8bn funds under management

29 July 2026

Rio Tinto H1 2026 earnings rise as cash flow and dividend increase

29 July 2026

Croda International reports 4.6% organic sales growth in first half of 2026

28 July 2026

UK Broker Ratings

Smiths Group PLC (SMIN.L) Stock Analysis: Evaluating the 4.21% Potential Upside Amidst Mixed Financial Signals

10 August 2026

Sainsbury (J) PLC (SBRY.L) Stock Analysis: Navigating the Grocery Sector with a 3.88% Dividend Yield

10 August 2026

Rentokil Initial PLC (RTO.L) Stock Analysis: Exploring a 33% Potential Upside Amidst Market Challenges

10 August 2026

Unite Group PLC (UTG.L) Stock Analysis: A 7.08% Dividend Yield in the Real Estate Sector

10 August 2026

WPP PLC ORD 10P (WPP.L) Stock Analysis: Navigating Challenges Amidst a 3.65% Dividend Yield

10 August 2026

Consumer Defensive

Palm oil edges into focus as shifting dynamics create room for selective positioning

Palm oil is beginning to show signs of stabilisation as shifting demand dynamics and disciplined price action create room for selective opportunity...

November 4, 2025

Associated British Foods reports FY2025 results with earnings decline

Associated British Foods plc reported a 1% decline in group revenue to £19.5 billion for the year ended 13 September 2025, with adjusted operating profit down 12% to £1.73 billion...

November 4, 2025

Palm oil prices react to signals beyond supply

Palm oil prices edge higher as cross-commodity signals and a weaker ringgit reshape margin dynamics for producers...

October 30, 2025

C&C Group reports solid HY2026 results with earnings and dividend growth

C&C Group plc, owner of Tennent’s and Bulmers, has announced results for the six months ended 31 August 2025, delivering performance in line with expectations...

October 28, 2025

Greencore–Bakkavor merger clears CMA Phase 1

Greencore and Bakkavor announced that the UK Competition and Markets Authority has completed its Phase 1 review of their proposed merger, raising no competition issues across about 99% of the combined group’s activities...

October 27, 2025

Palm oil prices start to shift under a different kind of pressure

Palm oil prices are beginning to reflect more than food demand, energy markets are rewriting the script...

October 24, 2025

Unilever Plc Q3 2025, 3.9% USG, Dividend Up, Outlook Reaffirmed

Unilever reported underlying sales growth of 3.9% in Q3 2025, with 1.5% from volume and 2.4% from price. Turnover was €14.7bn, down 3.5% mainly from currency and disposals...

October 23, 2025

Reckitt Benckiser posts 7% Q3 revenue growth

Reckitt Benckiser delivered a 7% rise in like-for-like group revenue for Q3 2025, supported by 6.7% growth in Core Reckitt and strong momentum in Emerging Markets...

October 22, 2025

Unilever revises Magnum demerger timetable Amid US government shutdown

Unilever has announced a revision to the timetable for the planned demerger of The Magnum Ice Cream Company N.V. due to the ongoing US federal government shutdown...

October 21, 2025

Bunzl Plc reports steady Q3 trading, reaffirms 2025 outlook

Bunzl plc has reported a 0.6% increase in Q3 revenue at constant exchange rates, with underlying revenue up 0.4% despite challenging market conditions...

October 21, 2025

B&M lowers FY26 outlook following £7m freight cost adjustment and CFO resignation

B&M European Value Retail has revised its FY26 outlook after identifying around £7 million of overseas freight costs that were not correctly recorded due to a system update earlier in the year...

October 20, 2025

Palm oil futures edge up as crude and rival oils firm

Palm oil futures are finding support from stronger crude and rival oils as investors watch supply and demand tighten...

October 16, 2025

Palm oil futures edge higher as energy markets realign

Palm oil futures are rising again as firmer crude oil prices and stronger Asian demand revive investor interest in one of the world’s most traded commodities...

October 14, 2025

Dekel Agri-Vision Q3 2025: Strong cashew growth supports operations

October 10, 2025

Bunzl Plc expands with acquisitions in Ireland and Spain

Bunzl =has completed the acquisitions of Caterline Catering Equipment Ltd in Ireland and Anta y Jesús, S.L.U in Spain, each generating revenue of €6 million (£5 million) in 2024...

October 8, 2025

Warpaint London appoints Berenberg as joint Corporate Broker

Warpaint London, the colour cosmetics supplier and brand owner, has appointed Berenberg as joint corporate broker, working alongside Shore Capital with immediate effect...

October 8, 2025

Palm oil finds new momentum as supply tightens

Palm oil edges higher as Malaysia’s production slows and supply dynamics begin to tighten...

October 7, 2025

B&M launches ‘Back to B&M Basics’ plan after weaker H1 trading

B&M European Value Retail reported group revenue growth of 4% to £2.75bn in H1 FY26, but UK like-for-like sales were down 1.1% in Q2. CEO Tjeerd Jegen has launched a turnaround plan focused on pricing, range simplification and on-shelf availability to restore sustainable growth...

October 7, 2025

Imperial Brands Plc confirms FY25 guidance, £1.45bn FY26 share buyback

Imperial Brands expects FY25 results in line with guidance, supported by growth in tobacco and NGP. The group has announced a £1.45 billion share buyback for FY26, alongside continued dividend growth and progress on its 2030 strategy...