The smart cookies among you may already know that 29 May is a day that celebrates a bastion of British cuisine and culture that is enjoyed by Britons of every age. World Biscuit Day is an opportunity to honour the baked treat that holds a special place in the nation’s hearts, thanks mainly to its association with warming cups of tea and catching up with friends over a ‘cuppa’.
Visit any supermarket aisle and it’s clear there’s a myriad of biscuits, from savoury to sweet, crumbly to chewy, hard or soft and plain or covered in chocolate. Then there are those you can dunk, and those you can’t, which creates a whole new subsection (and debate) that’s just too vast to cover here.
With something for every taste, it’s hardly surprising the biscuit has become a must-have in just about every UK household. Whether young or old, rich or poor, the biscuit is always there to make life feel that little bit sweeter, even when life’s good!
So as you can see, there are many reasons to join in and celebrate the humble biscuit, the tasty treat that has its origins as a durable food source for travellers and sailors. What you may not have realised though, is the treats have two surprising links to the world of finance.
To mark this special day, we have created a fun quiz for you to enjoy while you savour a cuppa and your favourite biscuit. Two of the following statements are true, however one is as genuine as someone claiming they dunked a Rich Tea biscuit for two minutes and still ate it whole.
Read on to see if you can work out which of the following statements is the limp biscuit.
1. During economic downturns, biscuit sales skyrocket
Historically, the sale of biscuits broadly performs well during economic downturns, as they are seen as a cheap treat that households can buy to give themselves a boost. According to the media in 2024 for example, the sale of biscuits (and cakes) proved resilient to the cost-of-living crisis as shoppers continued to buy them.
“Shoppers often turn to the brands they know and love, especially when money is tighter,” one article quoted a biscuit manufacturer as saying.
2. Covid saw one biscuit manufacturer’s share price soar
According to reports, McVitie’s share price rose more than 78% during the Covid pandemic as consumers adapted to working from home during lockdown. The bumper growth made the company a popular choice with investors, which is still the case with stock pickers today.
“It’s good to know that our product was bringing some joy to people at a particularly difficult time,” a spokesperson for the company said.
3. ‘Biscuit’ is an informal term used for gold bars
In the financial world, the word ‘biscuit’ is used as slang to describe certain sizes of gold bullion bars. The nickname has been adopted by dealers and investors for smaller pocket-sized bars that are flat and rectangle in shape, much like biscuits. The term ‘gold biscuit’ is particularly popular in the UK and in Asian markets, such as Hong Kong, and Thailand.
Did you spot the fact that completely took the biscuit?
If you spotted the false fact was number two, then you’re the chocolate coated gourmet cookie taking pride of place in the biscuit barrel. Please give yourself a pat on the back and an additional couple of biscuits with your next cuppa.
McVitie's is not on the stock market because the brand is owned by pladis, a privately held company. While McVitie's was listed on the London Stock Exchange as part of United Biscuits, it was delisted 25 years ago after a series of private acquisitions.
As McVitie’s is a privately owned business you can’t buy shares or invest directly into it. Please note that this information was accurate at the time of writing at the end of May 2026.
There is a serious point to this fun quiz
Investing is complicated and always carries an element of risk, which is why it can be easy to make expensive mistakes. While investing can boost your money’s long-term growth potential, it’s important to remember that DIY investing may increase your exposure to significant losses.
Working with a financial adviser can help reduce the risk of losses, as they can explain the risks and potential benefits of investing, using clear and simple language. As a result, you’ll be better placed to make decisions you’ll thank yourself for later.
Get in touch
If you have investments or are considering investing, and like to discover how we could help you, please call us on 0333 010 008 to arrange a no obligation initial meeting with one of our advises. Being the sort of people they are, they may even provide the biscuits!
29 May 2026