{"version":"1.0","type":"rich","provider_name":"Acast","provider_url":"https://acast.com","height":250,"width":700,"html":"<iframe src=\"https://embed.acast.com/$/a4c5de36-8260-4222-8e38-ff997dc73436/65e0bf08dfdd5a0017e2ad93?\" frameBorder=\"0\" width=\"700\" height=\"250\"></iframe>","title":"The power of consumer staples & the UK’s appetite for M&A: The Companies and Markets Show","thumbnail_width":200,"thumbnail_height":200,"thumbnail_url":"https://open-images.acast.com/shows/61b9b44742e856e989985776/1709227887654-0a8366c3a6388c6e59002638c3be8010.jpeg?height=200","description":"<p>In this week’s podcast we begin with our cover feature on <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/ideas/2024/02/29/the-companies-with-brand-power/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">companies with brand power</a>. We unpack why consumer staples are under pressure, the competitiveness of consumer health and share the story of how Sensodyne toothpaste became a staple product.</p><p><br></p><p>As company results season is in full swing, we pivot only slightly to two consumer brands that have reported results this week, <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/news/2024/02/29/haleon-regains-momentum-after-inflationary-spike/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Haleon</a> and <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/news/2024/02/28/reckitt-benckiser-dented-by-sales-and-profit-miss/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Reckitt Benckiser</a>. We discuss what has gone well for the companies as well as the concerns ahead.</p><p><br></p><p>Last but not least, we cover the recently rejected bids for <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/news/2024/02/28/direct-line-rejects-unattractive-belgian-buyout/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Direct Line</a> and <a href=\"https://www.investorschronicle.co.uk/news/2024/02/19/opening-shots-fired-in-currys-bidding-war/\" rel=\"noopener noreferrer\" target=\"_blank\">Currys</a>. Could these rejections be a sign that boards are growing more optimistic, or just that they think shares are massively undervalued?</p><p><br></p><p><em>Dan Jones is joined by Jennifer Johnson, Mark Robinson and Julian Hofmann</em></p>","author_name":"Investors' Chronicle"}