London, June 8, 2026, 14:11 (BST)
Haleon shares lost ground in London on Monday. The Sensodyne maker said it will spend £175 million on its first owned factory in India, betting it can drive more growth in faster-moving markets.
The stock was last seen at 334.10 pence, off roughly 0.9% from Friday’s close after starting the session at 339.40 pence, delayed LSEG data via Investors Chronicle showed. Shares are still trading about 20% under the February 52-week high of 416.10 pence.
Haleon wants investors to move on from what it called a soft opening to the year. The company posted 2.2% organic revenue growth in the first quarter—organic revenue strips out currency, deals and divestments. Volumes slipped 0.2%. Haleon kept its full-year organic revenue growth guidance at 3% to 5%.
FTSE 100 rises, Haleon lags as London stocks trade mixed The FTSE 100 added 0.14% to 10,382.47 in late trade, keeping Haleon behind the market. London’s main index moved higher, but stocks overall were mixed at midday, with investors watching news of Israel-Iran fighting and reacting to expectations for higher rates, Alliance News said.
Haleon plans to spend about 2,000 crore rupees, or £175 million, building a new plant in Pithampur, Madhya Pradesh. The plant, set on more than 40 acres, will make oral-health products. It aims to meet local demand and ship to broader Asian markets.
Haleon CEO Brian McNamara told ETRetail that “India is a key strategic market for Haleon and an important driver of our long-term growth.” The company said the new site could add up to 500 jobs and aims to be operational by 2029-30. ETRetail.com
McNamara told the Wall Street Journal that Haleon is “definitely in investment mode,” following a stretch where the company focused on supply chain rationalisation instead of building out new manufacturing. The Journal reported this is Haleon’s largest construction project since it spun off from GSK in 2022. The Wall Street Journal
Haleon’s India push gets it closer to a market that it says has plenty of space in oral care. Financial Express cited Kedar Lele, who heads Haleon in India and the subcontinent, saying there was “a massive treatment gap in India.” He also shared that around 20% of toothpaste volume is from a 20-rupee Sensodyne pack. The Financial Express
Reckitt and Unilever keep looking for growth in emerging markets, but so is Haleon. The company is focusing on health brands like Sensodyne, Centrum, Panadol and Advil, instead of going wide on food or general household goods.
Haleon said in a filing Monday that it bought back 16.6 million ordinary shares for cancellation as part of a share buyback. The move cuts the number of shares on the market and returns cash to holders.
Haleon isn’t expecting a fast return from India. The new plant won’t start up until 2029-30, and in the latest quarter the company reported weaker volumes along with a soft cold-and-flu season. If shoppers in emerging markets cut back or North America stalls, it may be tough for Haleon to hit its growth targets for the rest of 2026.
Haleon’s next check comes July 30 with half-year results. Investors will look for a clearer signal on oral health, emerging markets and buybacks to see if they’re helping the stock, which is still trailing its winter peak.
