Skip to content

We want to clarify that IG International does not have an official Line account at this time. We have not established any official presence on Line messaging platform. Therefore, any accounts claiming to represent IG International on Line are unauthorized and should be considered as fake.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.
CFDs are complex instruments. 72% of retail client accounts lose money when trading CFDs, with this investment provider. You can lose your money rapidly due to leverage. Please ensure you understand how this product works and whether you can afford to take the high risk of losing money.

Bunzl shares surging as CEO focuses on 'growth through acquisitions'

The Bunzl share price could be heading for another bull run thanks to a positive pre-close statement. The distribution and services group announced that H1 revenue is expected to be up 7% thanks to new Covid-related investments.

Bunzl share price Source: Bloomberg
  • Bunzl share price up 4.3% over the last five days.
  • Group revenue expected to increase 7% compared to 2019.
  • Will a £114 million investment in Covid-related services maintain bull run?
  • Ready to trade the Bunzl share price? Open an account today

Although the figures are subject to change, Bunzl’s CEO Frank van Zanten said that revenue is likely to improve by up to 7% at constant exchange rates compared to 2019. Based on actual exchange rates that equates to a 1% increase in group revenue. The uptick in revenue mirrors the Bunzl share price resurgence over the last 18 months. From a five-year low of £14.22 in March 2020, Bunzl shares have risen by more than 60%.

How much have Bunzl shares increased?

In fact, based on the 24 June opening price of £24.40, shares in Bunzl have surged 71.5%. The recovery has largely been driven by Covid-19 related deals. As well as using its distribution and services network to sell personal protective equipment (PPE), Bunzl completed two acquisitions at the end of May. The takeovers of Comax and Harvey Distributors have increased the company’s presence in the medical and hygiene space.

Comax is a distributor of cleaning and hygiene products in the leisure, care home and foodservice sectors. Harvey Distributors offers a similar service in Australia. Combined, the two companies have annual earnings of more than £21 million. Bunzl will integrate the businesses into its rapidly expanding PPE and hygiene distribution network.

CEO Frank van Zanten said: ‘Growth through acquisitions is an important part of the ongoing strategy for Bunzl and I am pleased to welcome both Comax and Harvey Distributors to the Bunzl family. Both businesses strengthen the Group’s cleaning & hygiene operations, an area we expect will be supported by enhanced hygiene trends.’

How much is Bunzl investing in covid-related services?

Van Zanten also confirmed that Bunzl will invest a total of £114 million in its cleaning and hygiene operations. With retail and medical distribution contracts secured and investments being made, the CEO struck an optimistic tone in the company’s pre-close report. However, he also noted that other areas of the business, specifically food service and retail, are recovering but still down. Moreover, there is an expectation that ‘larger Covid-19 related orders’ will begin to decrease in the coming months.

This could have an impact on the Bunzl share price. The current climate remains positive and that’s given Bunzl shares a boost over the last 18 months. However, a fall in demand for PPE and cleaning products could have a negative impact in the future, particularly if the core business hasn’t recovered to pre-pandemic levels. Shares in Bunzl have spiked 4.3% over the last five days and more upward motion could be on the horizon, but the latest report suggests there could be some levelling off.

Will new acquisitions keep Bunzl shares strong?

Take your position on UK shares for just a small initial deposit with CFDs.

Open an account to start trading in UK shares.


This information has been prepared by IG, a trading name of IG Markets Limited. In addition to the disclaimer below, the material on this page does not contain a record of our trading prices, or an offer of, or solicitation for, a transaction in any financial instrument. IG accepts no responsibility for any use that may be made of these comments and for any consequences that result. No representation or warranty is given as to the accuracy or completeness of this information. Consequently any person acting on it does so entirely at their own risk. Any research provided does not have regard to the specific investment objectives, financial situation and needs of any specific person who may receive it. It has not been prepared in accordance with legal requirements designed to promote the independence of investment research and as such is considered to be a marketing communication. Although we are not specifically constrained from dealing ahead of our recommendations we do not seek to take advantage of them before they are provided to our clients.

Seize a share opportunity today

Go long or short on thousands of international stocks.

  • Increase your market exposure with leverage
  • Get spreads from just 0.1% on major global shares
  • Trade CFDs straight into order books with direct market access
Learn more

Live prices on most popular markets

  • Forex
  • Shares
  • Indices

You might be interested in…

<h3>How much does trading cost?</h3>
<h3>Find out about IG</h3>
<h3>Plan your trading</h3>

Find out what charges your trades could incur with our transparent fee structure.

Discover why so many clients choose us, and what makes us a world-leading provider of CFDs.

Stay on top of upcoming market-moving events with our customisable economic calendar.