Tesco PLC

TSCO · Consumer Defensive

About Tesco PLC (TSCO)

Tesco PLC is a Grocery Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom. TSCO has been publicly traded since 1988, giving it 38+ years of trading history.

Tesco PLC (TSCO) has been publicly traded since 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company. It operates in the Grocery Stores industry within the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom and employs approximately 340,000 people. With a market capitalization of £31 billion, TSCO is a large established company.

TSCO trades on the London Stock Exchange and is classified as a large-cap-cap stock with a market capitalization of approximately £31 billion. The company employs approximately 340,000 people worldwide.

Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Grocery Stores
Headquarters
Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom
IPO Year
1988

Key Statistics

Current Price
£488.90
Market Cap
£31.07B
52-Week High
£508.20
52-Week Low
£310.30
Sector
Consumer Defensive
Industry
Grocery Stores

TSCO Investment Performance

TSCO has gained 10.7% year-to-date in 2026. Over the past 5 years, a £1,000 investment in TSCO would have grown to £2,170, representing a 117.0% total return. Since its IPO in 1988, a £1,000 investment would now be worth £7,890.

£1,000 Invested in Tesco PLC (TSCO)

1 Year
£1,509
+51%
3 Years
£1,982
+98%
5 Years
£2,170
+117%
10 Years
£1,964
+96%
Since IPO
£7,890
+689%

How much would £1,000 invested in TSCO be worth today?

What would £1,000 invested in TSCO 1 year ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Tesco PLC (TSCO) in 2025 would be worth £1,509 as of March 2026, representing a +50.9% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in TSCO 3 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Tesco PLC (TSCO) in 2023 would be worth £1,982 as of March 2026, representing a +98.2% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in TSCO 5 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Tesco PLC (TSCO) in 2021 would be worth £2,170 as of March 2026, representing a +117.0% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in TSCO 10 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Tesco PLC (TSCO) in 2016 would be worth £1,964 as of March 2026, representing a +96.4% total return.

What would £1,000 invested in TSCO at IPO be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in Tesco PLC (TSCO) at IPO would be worth £7,890 as of March 2026, representing a +689.0% total return.

Monthly Returns Heatmap

Avg Monthly Return
+0.69%
Positive Months
238
53% of 452
Negative Months
212
47% of 452
Data Period
37+ years
452 months
Best Performers
Best month ever: Dec 2008 (+21.9%)
Best month on avg: April (+2.4%)
Worst Performers
Worst month ever: Feb 2021 (-25.7%)
Worst month on avg: June (-1.2%)

Over the past 37+ years (452 months), Tesco PLC (TSCO) has averaged a monthly return of +0.69% with a median return of +0.36%. The stock had 238 positive months (53%) and 212 negative months (47%). The best month in TSCO's history was December 2008 with a +21.9% return, while the worst was February 2021 at -25.7%. Historically, April tends to be the strongest month (averaging +2.4%), and June the weakest (-1.2%).

TSCO's longest winning streak was 6 consecutive months of gains, while its longest losing streak was 6 consecutive months of losses. The best full year was 1989 with a cumulative return of +42.9%, and the worst was 2014 at -52.4%.

Annual Returns

Over 38 years of trading history, Tesco PLC (TSCO) has delivered an average annual return of +8.20% with a median return of +9.82%. The compound annual growth rate (CAGR) is +5.97%. The stock posted gains in 24 years (63%) and losses in 14 years (37%).

TSCO's best year was 1989 with a +47.57% gain, while the worst was 2014 at -43.45%. The longest streak of consecutive positive years was 7, and the longest losing streak was 6 years. TSCO achieved double-digit gains (10%+) in 18 years. It suffered double-digit losses in 7 years.

Avg Return
+8.20%
Best Year
1989 (+47.57%)
Worst Year
2014 (-43.45%)
Positive Years
24/38
Year Return Start End
2026 +10.66% £441.80 £488.90
2025 +20.00% £368.17 £441.80
2024 +26.83% £290.28 £368.17
2023 +29.62% £223.95 £290.28
2022 -22.63% £289.43 £223.95
2021 -0.85% £291.90 £289.43
2020 -9.29% £321.79 £291.90
2019 +34.28% £239.64 £321.79
2018 -9.14% £263.73 £239.64
2017 +1.17% £260.69 £263.73
2016 +38.36% £188.42 £260.69
2015 -20.90% £238.20 £188.42
2014 -43.45% £421.21 £238.20
2013 -0.45% £423.12 £421.21
2012 -16.68% £507.83 £423.12
2011 -5.04% £534.76 £507.83
2010 -0.67% £538.37 £534.76
2009 +18.93% £452.68 £538.37
2008 -24.55% £599.95 £452.68
2007 +18.01% £508.39 £599.95
2006 +22.05% £416.53 £508.39
2005 +3.06% £404.18 £416.53
2004 +24.86% £323.70 £404.18
2003 +32.90% £243.56 £323.70
2002 -22.07% £312.54 £243.56
2001 -8.69% £342.28 £312.54
2000 +44.92% £236.19 £342.28
1999 +9.95% £214.81 £236.19
1998 +3.81% £206.93 £214.81
1997 +39.67% £148.15 £206.93
1996 +19.40% £124.08 £148.15
1995 +19.32% £103.99 £124.08
1994 +16.67% £89.13 £103.99
1993 -14.23% £103.92 £89.13
1992 +9.69% £94.74 £103.92
1991 +2.60% £92.33 £94.74
1990 +15.74% £79.78 £92.33
1989 +47.57% £54.06 £79.78

TSCO Investment Analysis: Valuation, Risk & Dividends

Key factors to consider when evaluating Tesco PLC as an investment

Valuation

TSCO currently trades at a trailing P/E ratio of 21.3, which is considered moderate relative to the broader market. The forward P/E of 15.7 suggests analysts expect earnings to be lower in the coming year. The price-to-book ratio stands at 294.3. The price-to-sales ratio is 0.4.

Dividends

Tesco PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.91%. This translates to £0.14 per share annually. The payout ratio of 60% indicates moderate dividend coverage.

Risk & Volatility

TSCO has a beta of 0.65, indicating it is less volatile than the overall market. The stock's 52-week range is £310.30 to £508.20, and it currently trades near its 52-week high.

Analyst Ratings

Based on 13 analyst opinions, TSCO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target of £482.08 suggests 1.4% downside from current levels.

Frequently Asked Questions: TSCO

What sector is TSCO in?

TSCO operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Grocery Stores industry.

How has TSCO performed historically?

Over 38 years of trading history, TSCO has posted gains in 24 years (63% of the time). The best year was 1989 with a +47.6% return. Past performance does not guarantee future results.

How can I invest in TSCO?

You can invest in TSCO 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 TSCO.

Does TSCO pay dividends?

Tesco PLC pays a dividend to shareholders with a current yield of 2.91%. This translates to £0.14 per share annually. The payout ratio of 60% indicates moderate dividend coverage.

What does Tesco PLC do?

Tesco PLC is a Grocery Stores company operating in the Consumer Defensive sector. The company is headquartered in Welwyn Garden City, United Kingdom.

What sector is TSCO in?

TSCO operates in the Consumer Defensive sector, specifically in the Grocery Stores industry.

When did TSCO go public?

Tesco PLC went public in 1988, making it a 38-year-old public company as of 2026.

How much would £1,000 invested in TSCO 5 years ago be worth today?

A £1,000 investment in TSCO five years ago would be worth approximately £2,170 today, representing a 117.0% return.

Does TSCO pay dividends?

Yes, Tesco PLC pays a dividend with a current yield of 2.91%, which is £0.14 per share annually.

What is TSCO's market cap?

Tesco PLC has a market capitalization of £31 billion, classifying it as a large-cap company.

What is TSCO's P/E ratio?

TSCO has a trailing P/E ratio of 21.3 and a forward P/E of 15.7, which measures how much investors are paying per dollar of earnings.

Is TSCO a buy, hold, or sell?

Based on 13 opinions, TSCO has a consensus "buy" rating. The average price target is £482.08.

Last updated: 3/14/2026