I mentioned on Monday that I would be all over the Q1 trading update from Haleon (HLN), the business which was spin-off from GSK (GSK) in July last year, and here we are. The company describes it as a “strong start to the year demonstrating continued strength of portfolio”, whilst the market has pulled the shares back 3% today to a price just north of 340p. Who is correct?
Hello Share Munchers. Every cloud has a silver lining. We may have suffered more colds and flu this winter, but shareholders in Haleon (HLN) have benefitted from the scourge. Business in the first quarter of this year saw organic growth of nearly a tenth on last time.
A busy day on the London market, but I will write about the consumer health company Haleon (HLN), which many of you will remember split out from GSK (GSK) back in July last year. Whilst its shares remain above the level when I last wrote about it in November last year, the stock is down 4% today despite apparently having an "extraordinary year” as being the “first listed company 100% invested” in its specific space.
As per analytical data from my personal pension fund account, I have made money from my choice to retain a holding in Haleon (HLN) - “a global leader 100% focused on consumer healthcare with a competitive advantage to combine deep human understanding with trusted science” - after its spin-off from GSK plc (GSK) in July. I am not sure that is technically correct given the company’s c. 276.53p share price at the close of business on Friday. Anyhow, the bigger question is what should I do now? After all, other GSK shareholders - including Tom - decided to exit stage left kicking around a 300 pence share price immediately after the spin-off and invest elsewhere.
As I observed yesterday, “some GSK plc (GSK) shareholders have sold their Haleon (HLN) spin-off shares and some have not”. I belong in the latter group on the basis that yesterday’s half one numbers are a classic double or quits moment. After having the opportunity to listen to the conference call yesterday, what am I going to do with my position in one of the world's largest consumer health brands businesses given the range of oral health, vitamins, minerals and supplements (VMS), pain relief and digestive health product exposures the company has.








