PZ Cussons (PZC) AI Stock Analysis

• Market Cap: £313.78M
• Dividend Yield: 4.82%
• Average Volume (3M): 1.09M
• Price to Earnings (P/E): 14.3
• Beta (1Y): 0.88
• Revenue Growth: -2.67%
• EPS Growth: 89.86%
• Country: UK
• Employees: 2,600
• Sector: Consumer Defensive
• Sector Strength: 42
• Industry: Household & Personal Products
• EPS (TTM): 0.04
• Shares Outstanding: 428,724,950
• 10 Day Avg. Volume: 597,987
• 30 Day Avg. Volume: 1,088,669
• PEG Ratio: 0.70
• Price to Book (P/B): 1.67
• Price to Sales (P/S): 0.71
• P/FCF Ratio: 22.09
• Enterprise Value/Market Cap: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Revenue: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Gross Profit: N/A
• Enterprise Value/Ebitda: N/A
• 1Y Price Target: N/A
• Price Target Upside: N/A
• Rating Consensus: N/A
• Number of Analyst Covering: 0
• EPS Forecast (FY): 0.07
• Revenue Forecast (FY): £545.90M

• Rating: 54 Neutral
• Price Target: 76.00 p ▲(5.12% Upside)
• Action: Reiterated Date: 02/11/26
• Date: Action: Reiterated 02/11/26

The score is held back primarily by weak underlying profitability and cash-flow quality in the financial statements. Technicals are constructive with a clear uptrend, but momentum appears stretched. Valuation is mixed (strong yield but negative P/E), while the earnings call adds moderate support from upgraded guidance and deleveraging, tempered by FX and H2 execution/phasing risks.

Positive Factors

Broad-based like-for-like revenue growth

Sustained 9.5% like‑for‑like growth across multiple regions and lead markets indicates resilient brand demand and diversified geographic exposure. This durable top-line momentum supports scale economics, steadier distributor/retailer relationships, and provides a platform for continued investment in innovation and brand building.

Upgraded full‑year operating profit guidance

Management raising FY operating profit guidance reflects improving operating leverage and confidence in cost initiatives. Coupled with targeted £5–10m cost savings, this suggests a structural trajectory toward higher operating margins if execution holds, improving sustainable earnings power over the medium term.

Deleveraging and stronger cash generation

Material disposal proceeds and positive H1 free cash flow reduced leverage, enhancing financial flexibility. Lower net debt and pro‑forma leverage below 1x improve resilience to FX and emerging‑market volatility, enable reinvestment in marketing/innovation, and reduce refinancing risk over the next several quarters.

Negative Factors

Weak profitability metrics

Despite solid gross margins, the company reports negative net margin and weak ROE, reflecting overhead, tax/minority leakage and operating inefficiencies. These structural profitability gaps limit free cash flow generation and shareholder returns unless fixed costs, tax profile or minority impacts are meaningfully addressed.

Earnings aided by FX revaluation swing

A sizable portion of H1 profit came from FX accounting rather than core operations, introducing volatility and reducing clarity on organic performance. Reliance on translation gains can mask operational issues and makes future earnings less predictable if currency movements reverse or are not sustainable.

Inventory and brand execution headwinds

Elevated inventories and channel-specific overhangs (including St.Tropez weakness outside the U.S.) pressurize sales, require promotional actions, and tie up working capital. These structural channel and inventory mismatches can erode margins and slow the pace of sustainable revenue recovery if not resolved.

PZ Cussons Business Overview & Revenue Model

Company Description

PZ Cussons Plc manufactures, distributes, markets, and sells baby, beauty, and hygiene products in Europe, the Americas, the Asia Pacific, and Africa. It offers toiletries, pharmaceuticals, electrical goods, fats and spreads, nutritional products, shampoos, body washes, toothpastes, toothbrushes, skin and hair care, food pouches, cereals, snacks, flavors, and fragrances; beauty soaps, lotions, wipes, creams, shower gels, foam-bursts, bar soaps, deodorants, bath infusions, handwashes, and conditioners; dishwashing liquids, dishwasher tablets, dishwasher gels, dishwasher capsules, rinse aids, liquid detergents, laundry soaps, and laundry solutions; and cooking and vegetable oils. The company also provides refrigerators, freezers and air conditioners, washing machines, microwaves, table and standing cookers, generators, stabilizers, TVs, DVDs, and home theatres. It sells its products under the Cussons Kids, Rafferty's Garden, Cussons Baby, St.Tropez, Sanctuary Spa, Fudge Professional, Charles Worthington, Fudge Urban, Venus for You, Carex, Imperial Leather, Original Source, Premier Cool, Joy, Premier Cool, Haier Thermocool, Morning Fresh, Bayley's of Bond Street, Canoe, Zip, Robb, Radiant, Mamador, and Devon King's brand names. The company was formerly known as Paterson Zochonis Plc and changed its name to PZ Cussons Plc in 2002. PZ Cussons Plc was incorporated in 1884 and is headquartered in Manchester, the United Kingdom.

How the Company Makes Money

PZ Cussons makes money by selling branded fast-moving consumer goods (FMCG) across personal care, home care, and food & nutrition categories. Revenue is generated mainly from the wholesale and retail sale of products it manufactures itself (and, where applicable, products it sources/outsources and distributes under its brands) to a mix of customers that typically includes large modern trade retailers, traditional trade wholesalers/distributors, and other local channels. The company’s earnings are driven by (1) product volume sold, (2) pricing and product mix (premium vs. value offerings), and (3) the strength of brand-driven repeat purchasing in everyday-use categories such as soaps, detergents, toiletries, and related household goods; where it participates in food/nutrition, sales are similarly driven by consumer staples and nutrition-oriented packaged products. Profitability depends on its ability to manage input costs (raw materials, packaging, and logistics), maintain manufacturing efficiency, and fund brand-building (marketing and promotion) to defend market share. Material factors that can significantly affect reported results include foreign exchange movements and macroeconomic conditions—particularly in Nigeria—because they influence local currency revenues, import/input costs, and the translation of earnings into the group’s reporting currency.

PZ Cussons Financial Statement Overview

Summary

Mixed fundamentals: modest revenue growth but weak profitability (negative net margin and ROE) and pressured cash generation (declining free cash flow and low operating cash flow vs net income). Balance sheet leverage looks manageable, but overall financial quality remains below average.

Income Statement

PZ Cussons shows a mixed performance in its income statement. The company has experienced a slight revenue growth of 2.74% in the most recent year, but it has struggled with profitability, as indicated by a negative net profit margin of -1.13%. The gross profit margin is relatively healthy at 40.25%, but the EBIT and EBITDA margins are modest at 8.54% and 10.10%, respectively. The company needs to address its profitability challenges to improve its financial health.

Balance Sheet

The balance sheet of PZ Cussons reflects moderate financial stability. The debt-to-equity ratio stands at 0.78, indicating a manageable level of leverage. However, the return on equity is negative at -2.64%, highlighting inefficiencies in generating returns for shareholders. The equity ratio is not explicitly provided, but the company's total assets and equity suggest a reasonable level of equity financing. Overall, the balance sheet shows stability but lacks strong profitability.

Cash Flow

PZ Cussons faces challenges in its cash flow management. The free cash flow growth rate is negative at -5.68%, indicating a decline in cash generation. The operating cash flow to net income ratio is low at 0.10, suggesting limited cash flow relative to net income. The free cash flow to net income ratio is healthier at 0.71, but overall cash flow performance needs improvement to support long-term financial health.

Breakdown	TTM	May 2025	May 2024	May 2023	May 2022	May 2021
Income Statement
Total Revenue	533.80M	513.80M	527.90M	656.30M	592.80M	603.30M
Gross Profit	206.20M	206.80M	131.10M	238.20M	207.30M	216.30M
EBITDA	68.40M	51.90M	-55.30M	86.10M	81.50M	89.80M
Net Income	-4.90M	-5.80M	-57.00M	36.40M	47.90M	36.90M
Balance Sheet
Total Assets	644.30M	615.20M	649.60M	988.40M	941.90M	780.50M
Cash, Cash Equivalents and Short-Term Investments	49.90M	45.10M	51.30M	256.90M	164.30M	87.30M
Total Debt	159.50M	172.00M	178.70M	264.20M	191.00M	129.80M
Total Liabilities	410.50M	401.70M	414.40M	566.30M	493.00M	409.00M
Stockholders Equity	234.80M	219.70M	242.30M	395.60M	427.00M	352.70M
Cash Flow
Free Cash Flow	14.80M	16.60M	6.80M	51.50M	44.90M	43.10M
Operating Cash Flow	21.20M	23.50M	12.90M	58.20M	53.10M	52.00M
Investing Cash Flow	24.60M	700.00K	12.40M	19.50M	-5.70M	2.70M
Financing Cash Flow	-45.60M	-28.70M	-109.70M	43.30M	26.60M	-38.60M

PZ Cussons Technical Analysis

• Technical Analysis Sentiment: Negative
• Last Price: 72.30
• 50DMA: Negative
• 100DMA: Positive
• 200DMA: Positive
• MACD: Positive
• RSI: Neutral
• STOCH: Positive

Evaluating momentum and price trends is crucial in stock analysis to make informed investment decisions. For GB:PZC, the sentiment is Negative. The current price of 72.3 is below the 20-day moving average (MA) of 81.33, below the 50-day MA of 76.46, and below the 200-day MA of 72.75, indicating a neutral trend. The MACD of -0.73 indicates Positive momentum. The RSI at 38.81 is Neutral, neither overbought nor oversold. The STOCH value of 12.38 is Positive, not indicating any strong overbought or oversold conditions. Overall, these indicators collectively point to a Negative sentiment for GB:PZC.

PZ Cussons Peers Comparison

Name	Overall Rating	Market Cap	P/E Ratio	ROE	Dividend Yield	Revenue Growth	EPS Growth
W7L	78 Outperform	£169.65M	15.51	25.14%	5.97%	6.38%	-10.55%
CRL	72 Outperform	£17.82M	4.66	9.67%	3.17%	2.83%	―
ULVR	71 Outperform	£105.64B	20.33	28.78%	3.85%	-2.98%	-16.90%
MCB	66 Neutral	£235.54M	3.91	42.11%	2.12%	-0.89%	1.30%
RKT	66 Neutral	£34.53B	12.30	38.45%	3.44%	-2.41%	-16.41%
Sector *	62 Neutral	$20.33B	14.63	-3.31%	3.23%	1.93%	-12.26%
PZC	54 Neutral	£313.78M	14.34	-2.16%	4.82%	-2.67%	89.86%

PZ Cussons Corporate Events

PZ Cussons Chair David Tyler Buys 50,000 Shares

PZ Cussons’ non-executive chair, David Tyler, has purchased 50,000 ordinary shares of 1 pence each in the company on 3 March 2026 at a price of £0.795 per share. The on-market transaction on the London Stock Exchange increases Tyler’s personal stake in the business, a move likely to be interpreted by investors as a sign of confidence in the company’s prospects and governance.

This share purchase by the board chair underscores board-level alignment with shareholders at a time when investor scrutiny of corporate leadership and capital allocation remains high. While no additional strategic commentary accompanied the disclosure, such director dealings are closely watched in the consumer goods sector as potential indicators of management’s outlook on valuation and future performance.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Buy with a £91.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Executives Receive Shares Under 2020 Incentive Plan

PZ Cussons has disclosed that three senior executives, including Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Myers, Chief Supply Chain Officer Steve Noble and Company Secretary and General Counsel Kareem Moustafa, have acquired ordinary shares under the company’s Share Incentive Plan 2020. Each executive purchased 167 partnership shares at a price of £0.896016 per share and received a grant of 111 matching shares at nil cost on 17 February 2026, in transactions partly executed on the London Stock Exchange and partly outside a trading venue.

The awards modestly increase the executives’ equity exposure and further align their interests with those of shareholders, reinforcing PZ Cussons’ use of share-based incentives as a tool for management engagement and long-term value creation. While the volumes involved are small in absolute terms, such routine incentive plan transactions can signal ongoing commitment of senior leadership to the company’s strategic and financial performance, and provide incremental transparency to the market on insider dealings.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Buy with a £91.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Director Boosts Stake With Share Purchase

PZ Cussons has disclosed that non-executive director Vivek Ahuja purchased 20,000 ordinary shares in the company on 13 February 2026. The trade, executed on the London Stock Exchange at a price of about £0.91 per share, signals board-level confidence in the business and modestly increases insider ownership, a factor closely watched by investors assessing governance and alignment with shareholders.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Buy with a £91.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Chair David Tyler Buys 25,000 Shares

PZ Cussons has disclosed that its non-executive chair, David Tyler, purchased 25,000 ordinary shares in the company on 12 February 2026. The shares were acquired on the London Stock Exchange at a price of £0.909772 per share, a move that may be read by investors as a sign of confidence in the company’s prospects from its board leadership.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Buy with a £91.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons sets renewed strategy with double-digit returns target

PZ Cussons has outlined a renewed group strategy at a capital markets event in London, highlighting a sharper focus on building portfolios of locally loved brands across four lead markets spanning developed and emerging economies. Management presented the business as more focused and resilient following a recent strategic review that strengthened the balance sheet and sharpened its geographic and category priorities.

The company is targeting double-digit total shareholder returns through the cycle, anchored by mid-single-digit like-for-like revenue growth, high single-digit operating profit growth and high single-digit EPS growth under a new financial and value-creation framework. It also detailed a capital allocation policy that keeps net debt within a defined range, commits to a progressive dividend and reserves surplus cash for bolt-on acquisitions in priority markets, signaling an active approach to growth and returns for investors.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Hold with a £75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons lifts profit guidance after broad-based first-half growth

PZ Cussons reported a strong first-half performance for the six months to 29 November 2025, with like-for-like revenue up 9.5% and growth across all four lead markets of the UK, Australia and New Zealand, Nigeria and Indonesia. Revenue rose 8% to £269.3m, adjusted operating profit jumped 31.9%, and adjusted profit before tax climbed 50.5%, helped by double-digit growth in its ten largest brands, tight cost control and non-cash FX gains linked to a stronger Nigerian naira.

The group has completed its strategic review, strengthened its balance sheet and sharpened its focus through the disposal of its 50% stake in the PZ Wilmar joint venture, which has generated £48.5m of proceeds to date and contributed to a £27.7m reduction in net debt since May 2025. Maintaining its interim dividend at 1.50p per share, the board set a new capital allocation framework targeting net debt to EBITDA of 1.0–1.5x, a progressive dividend and selective bolt-on M&A, while raising full-year adjusted operating profit guidance to £53–57m and reiterating cost-savings plans largely earmarked for reinvestment in brands and people.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Hold with a £75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Confirms Timetable for Board Departure of Sarah Pollard

PZ Cussons has announced a change to its board, confirming that Sarah Pollard will step down as a director on 13 February 2026 and remain with the business until 20 March 2026 to support an orderly transition. The move signals a period of leadership handover at the consumer goods group, though the company has framed the timetable as managed and structured to minimise disruption to operations and stakeholders across its global footprint.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Hold with a £75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Executives Increase Stakes Through Share Incentive Plan

PZ Cussons has disclosed that several senior executives, including Chief Executive Officer Jonathan Myers, Chief Financial Officer Sarah Pollard, Chief Supply Chain Officer Steve Noble and Company Secretary and General Counsel Kareem Moustafa, have acquired ordinary shares under the company’s 2020 Share Incentive Plan. On 19 January 2026 each of the executives purchased 212 partnership shares at £0.706 per share on the London Stock Exchange and received an associated grant of 141 matching shares at no cost, in transactions partly conducted on XLON and partly outside a trading venue, further increasing management’s equity participation in the group.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Hold with a £75.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Names Jan Bramall as New Chief Financial Officer

PZ Cussons has appointed Jan Bramall as its new Chief Financial Officer and Board member, effective 23 March 2026, succeeding outgoing CFO Sarah Pollard. Bramall brings extensive international finance and strategy experience from roles at Severfield, Manchester Airports Group, Tyco and Johnson Controls, and will join at what the company describes as a pivotal time following its strategic review, with the board expecting her leadership to support the next phase of growth and improved profitability.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Hold with a £78.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.

PZ Cussons Executives Increase Holdings Through Share Incentive Plan

PZ Cussons has disclosed a series of share dealings by senior management under its Share Incentive Plan 2020, involving the chief executive officer, chief financial officer, chief supply chain officer and the company secretary and general counsel. On 17 December 2025 each of these executives purchased 200 ordinary shares at £0.75 and received 133 matching shares at no cost, in transactions partly executed on the London Stock Exchange and partly outside a trading venue, underscoring ongoing alignment between leadership and shareholders through increased equity participation.

The most recent analyst rating on (GB:PZC) stock is a Hold with a £78.00 price target. To see the full list of analyst forecasts on PZ Cussons stock, see the GB:PZC Stock Forecast page.