About Imperial Brands PLC (IMB)
Imperial Brands PLC is a Tobacco company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom. IMB has been publicly traded since 1996, giving it 30+ years of trading history.
Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) has been publicly traded since 1996, making it a 30-year-old public company. It operates in the Tobacco industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom and employs approximately 25,100 people. With a market capitalization of £25 billion, IMB is a large established company.
IMB trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £25 billion. The company employs approximately 25,100 people worldwide.
Key Statistics
- Current Price
- £3,201.00
- Market Cap
- £25.07B
- 52-Week High
- £3,632.04
- 52-Week Low
- £2,638.00
- Sector
- Consumer Defensive
- Industry
- Tobacco
IMB Investment Performance
IMB has gained 2.6% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in IMB would have grown to £2,249, representing a 124.9% total return. Since its IPO in 1996, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £11,420.
£1,000 Invested in Imperial Brands PLC (IMB)
How much would £1,000 invested in IMB be worth today?
What would £1,000 invested in IMB 1 year ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) in 2025 would be worth £1,151 as of March 2026, representing a +15.1% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in IMB 3 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) in 2023 would be worth £1,722 as of March 2026, representing a +72.2% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in IMB 5 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) in 2021 would be worth £2,249 as of March 2026, representing a +124.9% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in IMB 10 years ago be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) in 2016 would be worth £852 as of March 2026, representing a -14.8% total return.
What would £1,000 invested in IMB at IPO be worth today?
A £1,000 investment in Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) at IPO would be worth £11,420 as of March 2026, representing a +1042.0% total return.
Monthly Returns Heatmap
Over the past 29+ years (353 months), Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) has averaged a monthly return of +0.94% with a median return of +0.99%. The stock had 192 positive months (54%) and 160 negative months (45%). The best month in IMB's history was March 2002 with a +23.2% return, while the worst was December 1999 at -22.1%. Historically, November tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.2%), and July the weakest (0.0%).
IMB's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 5 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1998 with a cumulative return of +56.4%, and the worst was 2018 at -26.3%.
Annual Returns
Over 30 years of trading history, Imperial Brands PLC (IMB) has delivered an average annual return of +10.88% with a median return of +5.68%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +8.61%. The stock posted gains in 20 years (67%) and losses in 10 years (33%).
IMB's best year was 1998 with a +67.78% gain, while the worst was 2018 at -24.87%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 8, and the longest losing streak was 5 years. IMB achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 14 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.
| Year | Return | Start | End |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 | +2.64% | £3,118.62 | £3,201.00 |
| 2025 | +22.24% | £2,551.19 | £3,118.62 |
| 2024 | +41.42% | £1,803.95 | £2,551.19 |
| 2023 | -12.71% | £2,066.52 | £1,803.95 |
| 2022 | +28.21% | £1,611.84 | £2,066.52 |
| 2021 | +5.37% | £1,529.73 | £1,611.84 |
| 2020 | -17.76% | £1,860.09 | £1,529.73 |
| 2019 | -21.30% | £2,363.43 | £1,860.09 |
| 2018 | -24.87% | £3,145.80 | £2,363.43 |
| 2017 | -10.58% | £3,518.18 | £3,145.80 |
| 2016 | -1.19% | £3,560.42 | £3,518.18 |
| 2015 | +26.54% | £2,813.76 | £3,560.42 |
| 2014 | +21.37% | £2,318.40 | £2,813.76 |
| 2013 | -1.43% | £2,351.92 | £2,318.40 |
| 2012 | -2.50% | £2,412.27 | £2,351.92 |
| 2011 | +23.79% | £1,948.67 | £2,412.27 |
| 2010 | +0.45% | £1,939.94 | £1,948.67 |
| 2009 | +5.98% | £1,830.40 | £1,939.94 |
| 2008 | -21.29% | £2,325.53 | £1,830.40 |
| 2007 | +34.97% | £1,723.04 | £2,325.53 |
| 2006 | +15.76% | £1,488.51 | £1,723.04 |
| 2005 | +21.77% | £1,222.43 | £1,488.51 |
| 2004 | +29.78% | £941.93 | £1,222.43 |
| 2003 | +4.30% | £903.08 | £941.93 |
| 2002 | +39.66% | £646.62 | £903.08 |
| 2001 | +30.14% | £496.87 | £646.62 |
| 2000 | +36.59% | £363.77 | £496.87 |
| 1999 | -20.77% | £459.16 | £363.77 |
| 1998 | +67.78% | £273.67 | £459.16 |
| 1997 | +1.91% | £268.54 | £273.67 |
IMB Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends
Key factors to consider when evaluating Imperial Brands PLC as an investment
Valuation
IMB currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 12.9, which is considered low relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 8.5 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 533.7. The price-to-sales ratio is 1.3.
Dividends
Imperial Brands PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 5.01%. This translates to £1.60 per share annually. The payout ratio of 76% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
Risk & Volatility
IMB has a beta of 0.15, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £2638.00 to £3632.04, and it currently trades in the upper half of its 52-week range.
Analyst Ratings
Based on 13 analyst opinions, IMB has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £3465.39 suggests 8.3% upside from current levels.
Frequently Asked Questions: IMB
What sector is IMB in? ▼
IMB operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Tobacco industry.
How has IMB performed historically? ▼
Over 30 years of trading history, IMB has posted gains in 20 years (67% of the time). The best year was 1998 with a +67.8% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.
How can I invest in IMB? ▼
You can invest in IMB 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 IMB.
Does IMB pay dividends? ▼
Imperial Brands PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 5.01%. This translates to £1.60 per share annually. The payout ratio of 76% indicates moderate dividend coverage.
What does Imperial Brands PLC do? ▼
Imperial Brands PLC is a Tobacco company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Bristol, United Kingdom.
What sector is IMB in? ▼
IMB operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Tobacco industry.
When did IMB go public? ▼
Imperial Brands PLC went public in 1996, making it a 30-year-old public company as of 2026.
How much would £1,000 invested in IMB 5 years ago be worth today? ▼
A £1,000 investment in IMB five years ago would be worth approximately £2,249 today, representing a 124.9% return.
Does IMB pay dividends? ▼
Yes, Imperial Brands PLC pays a dividend with a current yield of 5.01%, which is £1.6 per share annually.
What is IMB's market cap? ▼
Imperial Brands PLC has a market capitalization of £25 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.
What is IMB's P/E ratio? ▼
IMB has a trailing P/E ratio of 12.9 and a forward P/E of 8.5, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.
Is IMB a buy, hold, or sell? ▼
Based on 13 opinions, IMB has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £3465.39.
Last updated: 3/14/2026