London, April 24, 2026, 16:09 (BST)
- Haleon PLC edged up in London Friday, as the company stepped away from its relationship with Asia Symbol.
- After an AFP and Gecko Project probe uncovered Indonesian rainforest loss tied to “carbon-neutral” packaging, the supplier opted to act.
- Haleon’s Q1 2026 trading statement lands April 29, with the annual meeting set for the same day—both on investors’ radar.
Haleon PLC ticked up in London trading Friday, with shares changing hands at 353.30 pence by 14:53 BST—just 0.48% higher, per London South East. The Sensodyne and Panadol owner landed in the spotlight after dropping packaging supplier Asia Symbol, a move prompted by an AFP and Gecko Project probe linking the firm to rainforest clearance in Indonesia.
This issue surfaces just ahead of Haleon’s Q1 2026 trading statement and its annual general meeting, both set for April 29. That puts another concern on investors’ plates, in addition to U.S. demand, cold-and-flu sales, and margins. Both events remain scheduled for next Wednesday, according to Haleon’s calendar.
This also touches Haleon’s sustainability narrative. The company maintains that 90% of its main materials are sustainably sourced and deforestation-free. Its published strategy points to tougher environmental rules and a push for a more resilient value chain.
According to AFP and The Gecko Project, timber harvested from plantations responsible for clearing almost 30,000 hectares of forest from 2016 to 2024 ended up at an Indonesian mill supplying Asia Symbol. AFP reported that Asia Symbol produced “carbon-neutral” packaging, which Haleon used for its ibuprofen boxes. AFP
Haleon reported that its internal review turned up no sign of “deforestation-linked material” entering its supply chain, though the company said it remained “very concerned.” Haleon has now pushed its suppliers to confirm that any material intended for its products steers clear of Asia Symbol or plantations flagged for deforestation risk. As for Asia Symbol, it responded that it has put the mill through extra checks, insisting that the packaging it delivered to Haleon didn’t contain pulp from plantations associated with deforestation. Morningstar
The findings ramp up the heat on consumer health firms that rely on brand trust. Haleon’s lineup spans oral care, painkillers, respiratory health, vitamins, digestive and skin products—think Sensodyne, Centrum, Panadol, Advil, Voltaren.
Robin Averbeck, who directs the forest program at Rainforest Action Network, told AFP that the findings made it clear Royal Golden Eagle remains “in the business of deforestation.” Grant Rosoman of Greenpeace International described the company’s commitments as “greenwashing,” AFP reported. AFP
Packaging isn’t the only thing on investors’ minds. Back in February, Haleon projected organic revenue growth of 3% to 5% for 2026—a notch below its medium-term goal of 4% to 6%. That figure excludes the impact of currencies and acquisitions. CEO Brian McNamara told Reuters he remains upbeat about U.S. performance this year, citing expected gains from regional management tweaks and distribution resets kicking in from the second quarter.
According to a company consensus released April 20, analysts expect Q1 group revenue at 2.85 billion pounds, with organic growth pegged at 2.3%. The consensus table for full-year 2026 points to group organic growth of 3.7% and adjusted earnings per share coming in at 20.6 pence.
Other players are grappling with demand and cost pressures, too. Reckitt, known for its presence in consumer health—think cold remedies and painkillers—pointed to sluggish sales this week, blaming a tepid cold-and-flu season and expensive oil for its quarterly shortfall. Kenvue, for its part, said Thursday it would skip a conference call when it reports first-quarter results on May 7, citing its ongoing deal with Kimberly-Clark.
Still, there’s a real risk Haleon could disappoint if next week’s update reveals U.S. demand stayed sluggish and the cold-and-flu season remained muted longer than investors had penciled in. Back in March, Haleon’s aide-memoire flagged that the first quarter’s cold-and-flu season would come in lower than the prior year. The company also highlighted roughly a 1% foreign-exchange hit to both net revenue and adjusted operating profit.
Haleon is turning to cost cuts and returning cash to shareholders as sales growth cools. The company earmarked 500 million pounds for buybacks in 2026 and, back in February, forecast high-single-digit adjusted operating profit growth at constant currency. That outlook came despite management flagging revenue gains would likely fall short of its medium-term target range.
