Sep 22, 2026 · 7 min
Kingfisher lifts outlook as housing fears hit Buzzi
Kingfisher Builds, Buzzi Downgrade, UBS Falls
The episode contrasts resilient DIY demand with warnings that weaker U.S. housing activity and banking fees could pressure other companies.
- 1Kingfisher raised its profit outlook after strong Screwfix sales and growth in Poland and Spain offset weaker divisions.
- 2UBS downgraded Buzzi to sell, citing the building-materials supplier’s exposure to a potential U.S. residential-construction slowdown.
- 3UBS shares fell after management warned that weaker wealth-management activity and investment-banking fees could weigh on third-quarter performance.
Don't miss
Kingfisher’s upgraded outlook, powered by Screwfix and international growth despite weakness at B&Q and Brico Dépôt in France.
The brief
Bloomberg’s Stock Movers Report opens with Kingfisher, whose upgraded profit outlook reflects strong Screwfix sales and growth in Poland and Spain, despite weakness at B&Q and Brico Dépôt in France.
The Kingfisher story is a split-screen retail picture: trade-focused Screwfix is performing strongly, while parts of the broader home-improvement business remain under pressure.
Attention then turns to Buzzi, where UBS issued a sell rating amid concerns that a major pullback in U.S. residential construction could hurt the building-materials supplier.
UBS shares also weakened after its CEO warned that a softer industry fee pool and fewer wealth-management transactions could drag on third-quarter results.
Taken together, the movers show investors separating company-specific resilience from broader risks in housing demand and banking activity.
What was said on this episode
13 statements · 5 positive · 8 negative
Kingfisher upgraded guidance after exceeding profit expectations across regions
“they upgraded guidance this morning after beating on profit across different regions”
Listen at 1:02
Screwfix has delivered very strong sales
“we've seen very strong sales at Screwfix”
Listen at 1:11
Kingfisher’s operations in Poland and Spain have performed well
“the operations in Poland and Spain. So the international business that also has been doing quite well.”
Listen at 1:18
B&Q and Brico Dépôt in France have weakened Kingfisher’s performance
“the weakness has actually come from B&Q and Brico Dépôt in France”
Listen at 1:25
Kingfisher’s upgraded guidance appears to have reassured investors
“the upgraded guidance seems to have kind of reassured investors”
Listen at 1:38
Kingfisher may face obstacles ahead in its markets
“there might be some obstacles ahead”
Listen at 2:19
Kingfisher is currently weathering difficult conditions relatively well
“Kingfisher is actually managing to weather the storm quite well”
Listen at 2:26
UBS downgraded Buzzi to a sell rating
“it just got downgraded to a sell rating by UBS”
Listen at 2:45
EU CO2 allowance requirements are increasing Buzzi’s costs
“it essentially is facing higher costs because under EU regulation it has to purchase CO2 allowances”
Listen at 3:12
Analysts do not expect Buzzi earnings to grow in 2027
“analysts are saying they do not expect earnings to grow in 2027 for this company”
Listen at 3:24
UBS wealth-management transactions are softer than last year
“transactions in wealth management looking a little bit softer compared to last year”
Listen at 4:15
The banking sector may experience a weaker upcoming quarter
“we are potentially seeing a bit of a weaker quarter coming”
Listen at 4:46
Recent U.S. bank earnings outperformance may begin to fade
“we had this blowout quarter last quarter, so we'll see if this starts to fade”
Listen at 4:56
Statements are attributed to the speaker as said on the episode and reflect their view at the time, not PodLume's. They are not advice.
Mentioned
Kingfisher
Screwfix
B&Q
PolandListen to the full episode and explore every guest, topic, and moment on PodLume.