5 Most Boycotted Companies and Brands in History

2. Nestlé S.A. (NYSE:NSRGY)

Nestlé S.A. (NYSE:NSRGY) has been the target of boycotts for many years. The first boycott of Nestle was launched in the 1970s in response to the company’s marketing of infant formula in developing countries. This boycott, which was organized by a coalition of public health and consumer advocacy groups, was eventually successful in persuading Nestle to change its marketing practices.

Since then, Nestlé S.A. (NYSE:NSRGY) has faced numerous other boycotts for a variety of reasons, including concerns about its business practices, dissatisfaction with its products, and opposition to its position on various political and social issues.

The Polen International Growth Fund shared the details of why it sold off its stake in Nestlé S.A. (NYSE:NSRGY) in the fund’s Q1 2022 investor letter:

“We exited the Portfolio’s position in Nestlé in favor of what we believed to be a more compelling investment idea. Nestlé continues to enjoy competitive advantages related to its scale, distribution, and brand equity. We think the management team has positioned the business for success in recent years, with several divestitures along the way and believe the company is still likely to deliver consistent results. That said, our research indicates that returns may be at the lower end of our expected range and other opportunities appear more attractive.”