About Bunzl plc (BNZL)
Bunzl plc is a Food Distribution company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. BNZL has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.
Bunzl plc (BNZL) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Food Distribution industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom. With a market capitalization of £7.4 billion, BNZL is a mid-sized company with growth potential.
BNZL trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a mid-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £7.4 billion.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £2,304.00
- Market Cap
- £7.43B
- 52-Week High
- £3,096.00
- 52-Week Low
- £1,981.00
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Food Distribution
BNZL Investment Performance
BNZL has gained 11.0% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in BNZL would have grown to £1,018, representing a 1.8% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £14,911.
£1,000 Invested in Bunzl plc (BNZL)
How much would £1,000 invested in BNZL be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in BNZL 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Bunzl plc (BNZL) in 2025 would be worth £778 as of March 2026, representing a -22.2% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in BNZL 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Bunzl plc (BNZL) in 2023 would be worth £775 as of March 2026, representing a -22.5% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in BNZL 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Bunzl plc (BNZL) in 2021 would be worth £1,018 as of March 2026, representing a +1.8% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in BNZL 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Bunzl plc (BNZL) in 2016 would be worth £1,157 as of March 2026, representing a +15.7% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in BNZL at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Bunzl plc (BNZL) at IPO would be worth £14,911 as of March 2026, representing a +1391.1% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Bunzl plc (BNZL) has averaged a monthly return of +0.84% with a median return of +0.60%. The stock had 241 positive months (53%) and 206 negative months (46%). The best month in BNZL's history was October 1998 with a +30.5% return, while the worst was April 2025 at -20.8%. Historically, February tends to be the strongest month (averaging +3.4%), and June the weakest (-1.2%).
BNZL's longest winning streak was 7 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1992 with a cumulative return of +44.4%, and the worst was 2025 at -41.6%.
Annual Returns
Over 38 years of trading history, Bunzl plc (BNZL) has delivered an average annual return of +9.45% with a median return of +12.63%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +7.60%. The stock posted gains in 28 years (74%) and losses in 10 years (26%).
BNZL's best year was 1992 with a +45.12% gain, while the worst was 1990 at -37.04%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 8, and the longest losing streak was 2 years. BNZL achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 22 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 6 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +10.98% | £2,076.00 | £2,304.00 |
| 2025 | -37.00% | £3,294.98 | £2,076.00 |
| 2024 | +3.35% | £3,188.31 | £3,294.98 |
| 2023 | +15.65% | £2,756.97 | £3,188.31 |
| 2022 | -4.35% | £2,882.31 | £2,756.97 |
| 2021 | +18.12% | £2,440.17 | £2,882.31 |
| 2020 | +18.33% | £2,062.19 | £2,440.17 |
| 2019 | -12.81% | £2,365.21 | £2,062.19 |
| 2018 | +14.36% | £2,068.26 | £2,365.21 |
| 2017 | -1.74% | £2,104.81 | £2,068.26 |
| 2016 | +11.90% | £1,880.90 | £2,104.81 |
| 2015 | +6.88% | £1,759.82 | £1,880.90 |
| 2014 | +21.68% | £1,446.28 | £1,759.82 |
| 2013 | +43.74% | £1,006.18 | £1,446.28 |
| 2012 | +14.17% | £881.29 | £1,006.18 |
| 2011 | +22.99% | £716.57 | £881.29 |
| 2010 | +6.55% | £672.52 | £716.57 |
| 2009 | +14.45% | £587.62 | £672.52 |
| 2008 | -16.82% | £706.44 | £587.62 |
| 2007 | +12.92% | £625.63 | £706.44 |
| 2006 | -1.47% | £634.94 | £625.63 |
| 2005 | +44.90% | £438.19 | £634.94 |
| 2004 | +1.85% | £430.23 | £438.19 |
| 2003 | +12.34% | £382.98 | £430.23 |
| 2002 | -13.61% | £443.33 | £382.98 |
| 2001 | +7.22% | £413.49 | £443.33 |
| 2000 | +20.42% | £343.38 | £413.49 |
| 1999 | +44.85% | £237.06 | £343.38 |
| 1998 | -0.60% | £238.50 | £237.06 |
| 1997 | +1.32% | £235.40 | £238.50 |
| 1996 | +17.04% | £201.13 | £235.40 |
| 1995 | +15.37% | £174.33 | £201.13 |
| 1994 | +18.19% | £147.50 | £174.33 |
| 1993 | +22.73% | £120.18 | £147.50 |
| 1992 | +45.12% | £82.81 | £120.18 |
| 1991 | +20.59% | £68.67 | £82.81 |
| 1990 | -37.04% | £109.07 | £68.67 |
| 1989 | -23.40% | £142.40 | £109.07 |
BNZL Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Bunzl plc as an investment
Valuation
BNZL currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 16.3, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 12.4 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 266.3. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.6.
Dividends
Bunzl plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.22%. This translates to £0.74 per share annually. The payout ratio of 53% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
BNZL has a beta of 0.35, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £1981.00 to £3096.00, and it currently trades in the lower half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 21 analyst opinions, BNZL has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target of £2506.19 suggests 8.8% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: BNZL
What sector is BNZL in? ▼
BNZL operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Food Distribution industry.
How has BNZL performed historically? ▼
Over 38 years of trading history, BNZL has posted gains in 28 years (74% of the time). The best year was 1992 with a +45.1% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in BNZL? ▼
You can invest in BNZL through any brokerage account that offers access to the London Stock Exchange. Popular options include commission-free brokers like Fidelity, Charles Schwab, or Robinhood (US), or international brokers like Interactive Brokers. You can buy individual shares or invest through ETFs that hold BNZL.
Does BNZL pay dividends? ▼
Bunzl plc pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 3.22%. This translates to £0.74 per share annually. The payout ratio of 53% indicates sustainable dividend coverage.
What does Bunzl plc do? ▼
Bunzl plc is a Food Distribution company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in London, United Kingdom.
What sector is BNZL in? ▼
BNZL operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Food Distribution industry.
When did BNZL go public? ▼
Bunzl plc went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in BNZL 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in BNZL five years ago would be worth approximately £1,018 today, representing a 1.8% return.
Does BNZL pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Bunzl plc pays a dividend with a current yield of 3.22%, which is £0.74 per share annually.
What is BNZL's market cap? ▼
Bunzl plc has a market capitalization of £7.4 billion, classifying it as a mid-cap company.
What is BNZL's P/E ratio? ▼
BNZL has a trailing P/E ratio of 16.3 and a forward P/E of 12.4, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is BNZL a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 21 opinions, BNZL has a consensus "hold" rating. The average price target is £2506.19.
Last updated: 3/14/2026