London, Jan 25, 2026, 08:58 (GMT) — Market closed
- Haleon closed Friday with a 0.45% gain in London following a Barclays upgrade
- Barclays lifted its target to 420p, citing a brighter outlook in the U.S.
- Investors are focused on the Fed this week, with Haleon’s results due February 25 next on their radar
Haleon shares ended Friday 0.45% higher at 379.8 pence in London, following a ratings upgrade from Barclays. The new stance sets the stage for Monday’s trading to put the call to the test. Over in New York, Haleon’s ADRs also climbed, closing up 0.38% at $10.50.
The upgrade is significant since Haleon’s U.S. operations have long been a headache for investors. Signs of stability in the U.S. segment shift the narrative ahead of the earnings season.
Haleon plans to release its full-year 2025 results on Feb. 25, per the company’s investor calendar.
Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman bumped Haleon’s rating up to “overweight” from “equal weight,” lifting his price target to 420 pence from 380. As part of a broader shake-up in European consumer staples, Barclays also upgraded L’Oréal and maintained “overweight” ratings on Unilever and Reckitt. Investing.com
Barclays linked the Haleon update to gains in its U.S. operations, citing progress as the company navigated drugstore “destocking” — a phase where retailers trim inventory instead of placing fresh orders. The bank projects 1.5% organic sales growth in the U.S. by 2026, excluding currency effects and acquisitions. Barclays also flagged 2026 as potentially “a very good year,” anticipating a 10% rise in earnings per share, a key profit metric. Investing.com
London’s FTSE 100 dipped 0.07% on Friday, closing the week a bit down as geopolitical tensions unsettled investors, Reuters reported.
The week kicks off with a packed macro agenda, headlined by the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy meeting on Jan. 27-28. Rate forecasts and the dollar could shift sharply as a result. Investors crunching Haleon’s U.S. sales will want to keep a close eye on currency movements.
In the UK, all eyes turn to the Bank of England’s February decision on Feb. 5. Any change in rate outlook could ripple through defensives and the pound, impacting internationally exposed names like Haleon.
Company news has been sparse recently, with the most recent regulatory update on the London Stock Exchange feed coming on Jan. 21.
But there’s a snag. Should U.S. retailers continue holding tight to lean inventories beyond expectations, or if demand for seasonal cold-and-flu products remains sluggish, broker optimism could quickly wane and shares might slip back.
The next major event on the calendar is Haleon’s Feb. 25 earnings report. Investors will zero in on details about U.S. growth, pricing strategies, and margins. They’ll also watch closely to see if management’s tone aligns with the upbeat outlook reflected in recent broker research.
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