Food Industry 17 February 2026 - 20 May 2026

Beyond Meat Drops Below $1 Before Holiday Weekend
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Beyond Meat Drops Below $1 Before Holiday Weekend

Beyond Meat shares closed Friday at $0.77, down 2.9%, falling below $1 ahead of the Memorial Day market closure. The stock lost 4.77% for the week, lagging the broader Nasdaq, and faces pressure to regain compliance with the exchange’s minimum bid rule. First-quarter revenue dropped 15.3% to $58.2 million, with a net loss of $28.5 million. Shareholders rejected executive pay in a recent advisory vote.
May 23, 2026
M&S chief hits out at UK food price-cap plan as ministers retreat
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M&S chief hits out at UK food price-cap plan as ministers retreat

UK ministers rejected mandatory supermarket price caps after backlash from retailers, including M&S CEO Stuart Machin, who called the idea “completely preposterous.” The government said talks on voluntary price freezes for staples would continue. Headline inflation slowed to 2.8% in April, but food and grocery prices remain under pressure from supply disruptions and higher costs.
May 20, 2026
Unilever’s McCormick Deal Gets Awkward After Terry Smith Walks Away
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Unilever’s McCormick Deal Gets Awkward After Terry Smith Walks Away

Fundsmith, led by Terry Smith, has sold its entire Unilever stake, citing concerns over the company’s planned $44.8 billion food business merger with McCormick. Unilever shareholders approved all AGM resolutions, including Nelson Peltz’s re-election, but will not vote on the McCormick deal. Unilever shares rose 0.18% in London morning trade. The transaction is expected to close by mid-2027, pending approvals.
May 15, 2026
Jack Purcell Meats Collapse: Iconic Brisbane Butcher Shuts After 83 Years as Liquidation Hits Family Food Sector
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Jack Purcell Meats Collapse: Iconic Brisbane Butcher Shuts After 83 Years as Liquidation Hits Family Food Sector

Jack Purcell Meats, a Brisbane butcher founded in 1943, has entered liquidation after a Supreme Court petition over unpaid debt. Alan Walker of Asset Restructuring Group was appointed liquidator on April 30. The closure follows rising rates and costs, and comes weeks after seafood operator A. Raptis & Sons also collapsed.
May 6, 2026
Unilever PLC’s McCormick Food Deal Hits Fresh Labor Snag as Q1 Update Nears
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Unilever PLC’s McCormick Food Deal Hits Fresh Labor Snag as Q1 Update Nears

Unilever’s European employee representatives are demanding binding job protections in the planned $44.8 billion merger of its foods business with McCormick, raising concerns ahead of the deal’s expected mid-2027 close. The works council, representing about 20,000 staff, wants guarantees similar to those secured in the 2025 Magnum spin-off, exceeding minimum legal requirements.
April 23, 2026
Unilever PLC’s $65 Billion McCormick Deal Faces a New Job-Protection Fight
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Unilever PLC’s $65 Billion McCormick Deal Faces a New Job-Protection Fight

Unilever’s European Works Council is demanding at least three years of job protections for 20,000 workers as the company prepares to merge its foods unit with McCormick. The labor push could delay or complicate the $44.8 billion deal, which would see Unilever and its shareholders retain 65% of the new group. Non-European workers have not been formally consulted. Unilever reports first-quarter results on April 30.
April 22, 2026
Unilever PLC Food Business Talks With McCormick Enter Critical Week Ahead of Earnings
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Unilever PLC Food Business Talks With McCormick Enter Critical Week Ahead of Earnings

Unilever shares opened at 4,500 pence in London as talks continue with McCormick over a possible Foods unit deal that could leave Unilever shareholders with a majority stake. The business, which includes Knorr and Hellmann’s, generated about €2.9 billion in operating profit last year. Barclays values the Foods arm at up to €31 billion including debt. McCormick will report first-quarter results March 31.
March 30, 2026
Unilever-McCormick Food Business Talks Could Split Off Hellmann’s, Knorr and Marmite
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Unilever-McCormick Food Business Talks Could Split Off Hellmann’s, Knorr and Marmite

Unilever confirmed it is in talks with McCormick & Co. over a possible sale of its Foods business, which includes Hellmann’s, Knorr, and Marmite. Analysts value the unit at €28–31 billion, making it larger than McCormick’s current market value. Both companies said no terms have been agreed and there is no certainty a deal will be reached. Earlier talks with Kraft Heinz ended without agreement.
March 20, 2026
PepsiCo stock slides as General Mills warning rattles food shares, CAGNY update ahead
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PepsiCo stock slides as General Mills warning rattles food shares, CAGNY update ahead

PepsiCo shares fell 2.8% to $161.28 Tuesday, tracking losses across consumer staples after General Mills cut its annual forecasts and warned of weaker demand. The sector lagged as investors favored tech and banks. PepsiCo launched a new prebiotic cola and confirmed a quarterly dividend of $1.4225 per share. The company will address investors Wednesday at the Consumer Analyst Group of New York conference.
February 17, 2026

Stock Market Today

  • Australian Baby Boomers Face Retirement Challenges Amid Inflation and Weak Stock Returns
    June 1, 2026, 9:59 PM EDT. A new Colonial First State report highlights the impact of high inflation on Australian baby boomers preparing for retirement. Australians may need to work longer due to the rising cost of living outpacing financial market returns. The report warns of the double threat of inflation and poor investment performance undermining retirement plans, compounded by a shift in government financial support and declining house prices. Historical data from the US, UK, and Australian markets reveal that inflation-adjusted stock returns can remain stagnant or negative for extended periods, especially concerning for retirees reliant on market gains. The 2022 collapse of a typical 60/40 stocks and bonds portfolio underscores the volatility risk amid adverse conditions.