Country Executive - Greece, Myprotein

London stocks dip as high oil prices fuel inflation worries. London shares remained near one-month lows on Thursday as oil prices persisted in exacerbating inflation concerns during a week filled with economic data, while energy stocks contributed to mitigating losses. The blue-chip FTSE 100 index fell 0.4% to 10,627.80 points by 0946, while the midcap FTSE 250 slipped 0.38%. * Brent crude futures were trading above $100 a barrel as the ongoing attacks on shipping by the U.S. and Iran led markets to prepare for potential supply disruptions. * Energy stocks opened new gains, rising 0.8%, with Shell and BP extending their rally, up 0.7% and 1% respectively. * U.S. President Donald Trump indicated that he anticipated the conflict would conclude following the November U.S. midterm elections; however, this statement failed to assuage investor concerns. * Banks were the biggest drags on the index. HSBC opened a new tab and declined over 1.8% after announcing that its CFO Pam Kaur would step down in 2027. * Both precious and industrial metal miners declined, with Rio Tinto and Anglo American down 0.9% and 1.5%, respectively, even as metal prices gained. * British government bond yields increased, with the benchmark 10-year bond reaching a 19-year peak and shorter-dated bonds at their highest levels since late 2023. * Traders are poised for the release of U.S. inflation reports and UK economic growth data this week, as these figures may influence interest rate expectations in their respective economies. * Markets are pricing in a 60% probability that the U.S. Federal Reserve will increase rates next week, while there is a broad expectation that the Bank of England will maintain its current stance, according to data compiled by LSEG. * Associated British Foods bottomed the FTSE 100 with an 11.8% slide after it forecast a decline in fourth-quarter like-for-like sales at budget fashion chain Primark. * Animal genetics company Genus opened a new tab, experiencing a decline of 4.9% following its annual adjusted revenue, which did not meet analysts' consensus estimates. * British e-commerce group THG experienced a decline of 7.1% following a warning regarding a slowdown in its quarterly revenue growth, attributed to new EU import duties.

Could THG be about to sell more of its brands? Online retailer today published its interim results and confirmed it had received 'bid interest' in several of its standalone brands Could Manchester-based THG be about to sell some of its standalone brands in a bid to wipe out its debt? The speculation has been fuelled by a paragraph in today's upbeat interim results, which revealed group revenue was up 7.2 per cent in H1 2026. In the outlook and guidance section of the report, THG said: "Following the successful sale of Claremont Ingredients in August 2025 for £103m, several of the group's other non-strategic, standalone brands and assets have attracted bid interest. "Should any sale occur at some point in the near future, it is expected that any proceeds would be higher than that for Claremont Ingredients, moving the group from net debt to net cash positive for FY 2027." THG doubled its money in the Claremont deal, which reduced its net debt from £330m to £230m in one stroke. The eCommerce giant hasn't revealed which of its brands have attracted 'bid interest' - or whether they're even for sale - but it's highly unlikely it would consider selling its crown jewel, Myprotein. What could be sold? Brands more likely to be sold could include US prestige skincare brand Perricone MD, which THG acquired for $60m in cash in 2020. Another potential target could be New Jersey-based prestige beauty developer and manufacturer Bentley Laboratories, which THG acquired in May 2021 for $255m on a cash and debt-free basis. A third possibility could be Dermstore.com, which THG snapped up from US retailer Target Corporation for $350m at the end of 2020. Dermstore is the number one pure-play online retailer of prestige skincare and speciality beauty brands in the US. There's no evidence that any of these brands are for sale, but they would all be likely to attract a significant price. The speculation comes on the back of THG's positive interim results, which saw revenue rise to £828.7m in the first half of 2026 - ahead of previous guidance of 6.5 per cent growth. THG also reported H1 adjusted EBITDA of £42.8m - up 109 per cent year-on-year and ahead of guidance of at least £40m. Both THG Beauty and THG Nutrition have now recorded four consecutive quarters of growth, partly on the back of the performance of Myprotein. Myprotein continues to soar. Myprotein strengthened its position as the world's largest online sports nutrition brand, delivering revenue growth of 9.2 per cent, increasing to 12.1 per cent excluding Asia. THG co-founder and CEO Matt Moulding, who was included in BusinessCloud's Founder 250 list, said: "THG delivered a strong first half, reflecting our successful transition from a capex-intensive technology and consumer brands group into a highly profitable global leader in Nutrition and Beauty, focused on delivering sustainable growth in free cash flow. "As a business, we delivered strong revenue growth and our Adjusted EBITDA more than doubled, driven by a stellar performance from the Myprotein brand." "The group is now clearly reaping the rewards of Myprotein's global rebrand delivered across 2023 and 2024, alongside the expansion of the brand into licensing, activewear and higher-margin categories. "Brand recognition continues to reach record highs, supporting a 57 per cent increase in Myprotein branded products sold worldwide in H1, to 58.5m products. "The brand is on track to sell over 130m products in FY 2026, which we believe makes Myprotein not only the world's largest sports nutrition brand, but also the fastest-growing established brand by product volumes." Moulding said the online retailer was entering the second half of the year with 'real momentum' while recognising challenges around consumer discretionary spending, record-high whey commodity pricing and recent EU tariffs. He said: "The group has delivered significant initiatives to mitigate these headwinds, supporting FY 2026 consensus, while positive signs around the direction of whey input costs are encouraging for the future."

Nichols partners with Myprotein owner THG to launch protein water. 13 Jul 2026, 07:50 Vimto owner Nichols has partnered with THG to launch Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water. The ready-to-drink range will launch in September 2026 in two flavours: Vimto and Raspberry Lemon. The new 500ml range will have an RSP of £2.99 and is sugar-free, low in calories and contains 15g of clear whey protein. The move marks the latest milestone in the companies' successful collaboration, which began in 2021 when Myprotein first licensed the Vimto brand for its Vimto Clear Whey Protein range. The new range has been developed to meet rising consumer demand for functional drinks that combine refreshment with clear nutritional benefits. UK functional drinks sales are now valued at £5.8bn and growing by 10 per cent between 2025 and 2026. Under the multi-year brand licence agreement, Nichols will manufacture and distribute Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water through its established nationwide UK distribution network. Andrew Milne, chief executive of Nichols, said: "Functional drinks are currently one of the most exciting growth areas in soft drinks, as consumers increasingly look for products that combine great taste, refreshment and added benefits. "Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water has been developed to meet that demand, offering shoppers a lighter and more refreshing way to add protein into their day. By combining Myprotein's credibility in sports nutrition with Nichols' soft drinks expertise and nationwide retail distribution, we are incredibly excited by this launch which we believe gives retailers a strong and differentiated opportunity to tap into the growing demand for health led drinks." Neil Mistry, chief executive of THG Nutrition, added: "More and more consumers are looking to boost their protein intake, and functional drinks are becoming an increasingly important way for them to do so. As the UK's leading Clear Whey brand, we've helped redefine how consumers think about protein, and Myprotein Clear Whey Protein Water answers that growing demand with an easy, refreshing way to add protein throughout the day. "It also represents a natural next step for the Myprotein and Vimto partnership, which has already proven its strength across a range of products." He added: "This is not just a new product but a statement of intent - an intentional expansion into refreshing ready-to-drink that reflects where we see the Myprotein brand heading and the role we want to play in Chiller and Impulse."