London, Jan 19, 2026, 10:25 GMT — Regular session
- Bunzl shares slipped roughly 0.7% during London’s morning session
- European stocks dip following new U.S. tariff warnings
- Attention shifts to Bunzl’s full-year results due March 2
Bunzl plc shares slipped on Monday, pressured by new trade headlines weighing on risk appetite in Europe. The FTSE 100 distributor fell 14 pence, or roughly 0.7%, settling at 2,060 pence, after fluctuating between 2,056 and 2,066 earlier. (Investing)
Timing is crucial. Investors are weighing how much of Bunzl’s next share move will stem from its own pricing and margins versus another wave of politically driven cost shocks.
European markets opened the week on the back foot as fresh tariff threats from the U.S. rattled investors. Shares dipped after President Donald Trump warned of new tariffs targeting eight European countries unless the U.S. secured permission to purchase Greenland. London’s FTSE 100 slid 0.5% in early trading. “After a low-volatility start to the year, equities may experience some downside pressure,” noted Kyle Rodda, senior financial market analyst at Capital.com. (Reuters)
Bunzl, a specialist distributor, supplies non-food products across sectors like grocery, cleaning and hygiene, foodservice, and retail. It has operations in 33 countries, with North America accounting for the largest share of its revenue. (Reuters)
Company guidance is carrying most of the momentum for the stock right now. In a pre-close statement issued Dec. 17, Bunzl confirmed its 2025 adjusted operating profit forecast — adjusted here means excluding one-offs — and projected revenue growth of 2% to 3% at constant exchange rates, removing currency effects. The firm also warned that its 2026 operating margin would be “slightly down” compared to the prior year. CEO Frank van Zanten added: “Despite what has remained a challenging market, we expect to meet our outlook for 2025.” (Bunzl)
The shares remain well below their peak. Over the last year, Bunzl has fluctuated between 1,995 pence and 3,488 pence, making the stock vulnerable to any fresh dips in demand or rising costs. (Hargreaves Lansdown)
But there’s a snag for those banking heavily on the tariff angle. These warnings often get dialed back through negotiations. If that happens, attention shifts back to Bunzl’s capacity to maintain pricing amid fluctuating volumes and costs, particularly in its top markets.
Traders are focused on two key dates: new tariff clues from Davos this week, and Bunzl’s full-year earnings release on March 2. (Bunzl)
