Bunzl has delivered what analysts have described as an "indifferent" outlook for 2026, after reiterating its profit guidance for the current financial year.

The international distribution and services group said its revenue is expected to grow between 2% and 3% in the year to 31 December, which is being driven by acquisitions.

It added that while there are tougher comparatives, it expects to see good momentum over the final quarter, supported by the benefits of actions taken to improve its performance.

Bunzl said that its operating profit is in line with its guidance set out in Q1 and its operating margin is expected to be around 7.6%.

Chief executive officer at Bunzl, Frank van Zanten, said: "Despite what has remained a challenging market, we expect to meet our outlook for 2025, which was set out in April this year.

"We continue to remain strongly focused on performance across the group and are encouraged by operational improvements being made and new business wins in North America. We have presented our view of 2026 which highlights our expectations for a return to organic growth and ongoing cost actions to support a more stable profit outlook."

In its outlook for 2026, the firm said it expects uncertainties relating to the wider economic and geopolitical landscape to continue.

As a result, Bunzl is set to record “moderate revenue growth” in the year, driven by some underlying revenue growth and a small benefit from announced acquisitions. The company's operating margin is expected to be slightly down year-on-year.

Following the announcement, shares in the firm fell by over 2%.

Head of markets at AJ Bell, Dan Coatsworth, said: "Bunzl shares fell as investors reacted to an indifferent outlook for the specialist distribution business.

"Bunzl provides businesses with items like coffee cups or cleaning products which are not sold to customers but are essential to their day-to-day operations and it has historically delivered steady returns.

"However, it has endured a difficult year – the shares falling nearly 40% - and the market appears frustrated that it will take a bit of time for the business to regain its erstwhile reliability."

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