LONDON, March 12, 2026, 18:51 GMT
Bunzl plc shares closed at 2,256 pence on Thursday, up 32 pence from the previous close, even as London’s benchmark FTSE 100 slipped 0.4% in a market hit by surging oil prices and renewed inflation fears. The stock traded in a 2,212p-2,298p range. 1
The move matters because Bunzl, which sells packaging, cleaning and safety goods to business customers, is still well below its 52-week high of 3,094p. In its annual report, the board said 2025 operational performance and share price development “did not meet expectations.” 2
Thursday’s relative strength stood out. Reuters reported oil had jumped back toward $100 a barrel, while AJ Bell’s Danni Hewson said a longer disruption would lift energy costs, inflation and the risk of tighter rates. 3
The move keeps the focus on Bunzl’s March 2 results. The group posted 2025 revenue of £11.85 billion and adjusted operating profit of £910.3 million, while reiterating its 2026 outlook. 4
Chief executive Frank van Zanten said Bunzl had handled a “challenging year” with agility and that unchanged 2026 guidance should support long-term profitable growth. He told Reuters separately that tariff volatility had brought “no positive impact” to the results. 4
For 2026, Bunzl still expects moderate revenue growth at constant exchange rates, which strips out currency swings, and a group operating margin slightly below the underlying 7.6% recorded in 2025. Operating margin is the share of sales left after operating costs, a measure investors are watching closely after last year’s stumble. 4
The repair job is not finished. Bunzl said weaker demand in North American food processor and convenience-store operations, and in its foodservice and grocery businesses in Mexico, limited progress in the second half, even after leadership changes and other fixes in its main U.S. distribution arm. 4
The latest company filing was a director-dealing notice published on Wednesday, disclosing share awards and related sales by UK & Ireland managing director Dale Stokes. Thursday’s bounce still leaves the shares much nearer the year’s low of 1,982p than the peak of 3,094p. 5
