Business
FY26 Trading Update
C&C Group plc has announced that its trading performance for the financial year ending is below expectations, primarily due to weaker consumer demand in hospitality and an adverse shift from wine and spirits to beer. Consequently, the Group now anticipates adjusted operating profit to be between €70 million and €73 million, with continued softness expected in January. Despite these headwinds, the company's brands performed well over the festive period, and it remains cash generative with a strong balance sheet and commitment to its €150 million capital return plan, having already returned €92 million. The outlook for FY27 suggests similar profit levels, with planned reductions in less profitable distribution business, though short-term profit dilution is anticipated due to the lag in cost reduction initiatives. Disclaimer*
About this update from C&c Group Plc
[{"type":"text","content":"\n\n \nTHIS ANNOUNCEMENT CONTAINS INSIDE INFORMATION\nFOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE \n\n23 January 2026\n\nC&C Group plc\n('C&C' or 'the Group')\n \nFY26 Trading Update\n \nC&C Group plc today provides a trading update for the year to date.\nTrading Overview\nAs the Group approaches the end of its financial year, overall trading is below the Board's expectations. Customer performance across November and early December was impacted by weak consumer confidence associated with the November UK Budget. Our business performance was driven primarily by softer than anticipated demand in hospitality, alongside adverse product mix, as consumers continue to move away from the consumption of wine and spirits, in favour of beer, across the market.\nHowever, trading across the Christmas fortnight was in line with expectations. In January to date we have seen continued softness of consumer demand in the market and anticipate that this will continue for the balance of the current financial year.\nWhile the Group continued to make strong progress in its key objectives around improving customer service, developing brand execution, innovation and operational efficiency, these actions were not sufficient to offset the combination of subdued market volumes, unfavourable category mix and competitive pricing dynamics across the market.\nFinancial Performance\nAs a result of these factors, the Group now expects adjusted operating profit to be in the range of €70m - €73m, reflecting the lower operating profits in our Distribution business.\nWithin our overall performance, our brands continue to deliver well. Tennent's and Bulmers performed strongly across the festive period and have delivered well against our new innovation objectives. \nThe business continues to be cash generative, and we anticipate continued solid underlying cash generation for the year. The business remains financially robust with a strong balance sheet, significant liquidity ...