London, April 24, 2026, 16:09 (BST)
- Haleon PLC shares traded slightly higher in London on Friday after the company moved to cut ties with Asia Symbol.
- The supplier decision followed an AFP and Gecko Project investigation into Indonesian rainforest clearance linked to “carbon-neutral” packaging.
- Investors also face Haleon’s Q1 2026 trading statement and annual meeting on April 29.
Haleon PLC shares edged higher in London on Friday as the Sensodyne and Panadol maker faced fresh scrutiny over its supply chain after cutting off packaging supplier Asia Symbol following an AFP and Gecko Project investigation into Indonesian rainforest clearance. The stock traded at 353.30 pence at 14:53 BST, up 0.48%, London South East data showed.
The issue lands days before Haleon is due to publish its Q1 2026 trading statement and hold its annual general meeting on April 29, giving investors another item to weigh alongside U.S. demand, cold-and-flu sales and margins. Haleon’s calendar lists both events for next Wednesday.
It also cuts close to the company’s own sustainability claims. Haleon says 90% of its key materials are sustainably sourced and deforestation-free, and says its strategy includes building a resilient value chain and stronger environmental standards.
AFP and The Gecko Project said timber from plantations that cleared nearly 30,000 hectares of forest between 2016 and 2024 was processed at an Indonesian mill that supplied Asia Symbol. AFP said Asia Symbol made “carbon-neutral” packaging used by Haleon for ibuprofen boxes. AFP
Haleon said its own investigation found no evidence that “deforestation-linked material” entered its supply chain, but said it was “very concerned” and had asked suppliers to ensure any material for Haleon was not sourced from Asia Symbol or plantation companies linked to deforestation risk. Asia Symbol said it had put the mill under enhanced due diligence and said the packaging supplied to Haleon did not use pulp from plantations linked to deforestation. Morningstar
The report adds pressure on consumer health companies whose brands depend heavily on trust. Haleon sells oral health, pain relief, respiratory health, vitamins, digestive health and skin health products, with brands including Sensodyne, Centrum, Panadol, Advil and Voltaren.
Robin Averbeck, forest programme director at Rainforest Action Network, told AFP the findings showed Royal Golden Eagle was still “in the business of deforestation.” Greenpeace International’s Grant Rosoman called the commitments “greenwashing,” according to AFP. AFP
The market focus is not only on packaging. In February, Haleon forecast 2026 organic revenue growth of 3% to 5%, below its medium-term 4% to 6% target. Organic revenue growth strips out currency moves and deal effects. CEO Brian McNamara told Reuters then that he was confident “the U.S. will grow this year,” with benefits from regional leadership changes and distribution resets expected to show from the second quarter. Reuters
Company-compiled consensus published April 20 showed analysts looking for Q1 group revenue of 2.85 billion pounds and group organic growth of 2.3%. For full-year 2026, the same table showed consensus group organic growth of 3.7% and adjusted earnings per share of 20.6 pence.
Peers are facing similar demand and cost questions. Reckitt, which competes in consumer health categories such as cold remedies and pain relief, said this week a weak cold-and-flu season and high oil prices hurt its quarter, while Kenvue said on Thursday it would report first-quarter results on May 7 without a conference call because of its pending Kimberly-Clark transaction.
But the downside risk for Haleon is that next week’s update shows weak U.S. demand and a soft cold-and-flu season have dragged on longer than investors expect. Haleon’s March aide-memoire said the first-quarter cold-and-flu season would be below a year earlier and pointed to a foreign-exchange translation headwind of about 1% on both net revenue and adjusted operating profit.
Haleon has sought to offset slower sales growth with savings and cash returns. It allocated 500 million pounds to share buybacks for 2026 and said in February it expected high-single-digit adjusted operating profit growth at constant currency, even as it guided revenue growth below its medium-term range.
