FTSE 100 news / Companies and sectors / Consumer staples / 17 October 2026
Consumer staples: sector news on Saturday 17 October 2026
Average tone +4.1 (positive) across 8 companies with relevant coverage, from 51 stories.
Company by company
| Company | Tone | Stories | What the coverage was about |
|---|---|---|---|
| Unilever | +4.7 | 14 | Coverage was mostly positive, with Unilever shares reaching a 16-year high, a Jefferies target increase and gains among European ADRs. |
| Associated British Foods | −2.5 | 9 | Coverage was dominated by Primark product recalls and a regulator safety notice, which weigh on its reputation. |
| British American Tobacco | +2.0 | 9 | Coverage was split between a share price rise, helped by a Jefferies target increase and buyback interest, and negative stories about leaked documents on cigarette smuggling and the closure of the South African plant. |
| Reckitt | +3.7 | 6 | Coverage was mostly about Dettol hygiene education programmes in Uganda and Kenya, which reflect well on Reckitt's brand and reputation. |
| Diageo | +1.2 | 5 | Coverage was mixed: Unite suspending planned strikes at the Cameronbridge distillery was welcome, and one piece saw shares holding support. |
| Imperial Brands | +7.8 | 4 | Coverage was mainly about Imperial Brands' valuation, dividend yield and share buyback. |
| Coca-Cola HBC | +8.3 | 3 | Coverage was positive, with a guidance-driven lift to the dividend, gains linked to emerging markets, and Jefferies reaffirming its Buy rating. |
| Coca-Cola Europacific Partners | +7.7 | 1 | The only relevant coverage was a valuation article suggesting the shares could be 30% undervalued, alongside expanded capacity at Kewdale. |
Strongest stories in the sector
- −10.0 Leaked documents raise serious questions about British American Tobacco’s role in cigarette smuggling
Leaked documents raise questions over role in cigarette smuggling. - +10.0 Unilever reaches its highest level in 16 years: consumers are buying more Dove, Rexona, Vaseline, and detergents
Share price at 16-year high on strong brand demand. - +9.7 6% yield and a P/E below 9! Now brokers say this FTSE 100 dividend stock will soar to 3,500p
Brokers see big share price upside; attractive yield and low P/E. - +9.2 Jefferies lifts target to GBp 5,600.00 for British American Tobacco stock - ad-hoc-news.de
Jefferies raised price target, a positive analyst view. - +9.2 FTSE 100 Coca-Cola HBC (LSE:CCH): Guidance Lifts Dividend
Guidance lifting the dividend is positive for shareholders and outlook. - +8.7 Imperial Brands (LSE:IMB) Stock Looks Undervalued Against Its Earnings Power
Stock described as undervalued relative to earnings power. - +8.3 Blue-Chip Coca-Cola HBC (LSE:CCH) Gains on Emerging Markets
Shares gaining on emerging markets strength is a favourable story. - +8.3 Unilever stock: Jefferies raises target to GBp 4,000.00 for Unilever stock - ad-hoc-news.de
Jefferies raises price target for Unilever. - +7.7 Coca-Cola Europacific Partners (ENXTAM:CCEP) Could Be 30% Undervalued As Kewdale Capacity Expands
Valuation piece calls shares undervalued and notes Kewdale capacity expansion. - +7.5 Jefferies Financial Group Reaffirms "Buy" Rating for Coca-Cola HBC (LON:CCH)
Jefferies reaffirming a Buy rating supports the investment case. - +6.8 FTSE 100 Imperial Brands (LSE:IMB): Buyback Backs Top Yield
Buyback and top yield framed positively for shareholders. - +6.7 European ADRs Rose Late Friday, Led By Unilever And Equinor
Unilever led European ADR gains.