• Home
  • Latest
  • Fortune 500
  • Finance
  • Tech
  • Leadership
  • Lifestyle
  • Rankings
  • Multimedia

Trendingnow

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there

1

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military

2

'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032

3

Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
FinanceUnilever

Unilever Says 2016 Will Be Rough

By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
By
Reuters
Reuters
Down Arrow Button Icon
January 19, 2016, 9:29 AM ET
Unilever Wins EU Approval To Buy Sara Lee Toiletries
Cans of Dove deodorant, produced by Unilever Plc. sit with cans of Sanex deodorant, produced by Sara Lee Corp. at a supermarket in London, U.K., on Wednesday, Nov. 17, 2010. Unilever won European Union approval to buy Sara Lee Corp.'s shower-gel and European detergents business after it agreed to sell off the Sanex deodorant and body-wash brand in the region. Photographer: Simon Dawson/Bloomberg via Getty ImagesPhotograph by Simon Dawson — Bloomberg via Getty Images

Consumer goods group Unilever (UN) said it faced another volatile year after improvements to products from Magnum ice cream to Omo detergent helped its sales in 2015 to beat forecasts.

Turnover at the Anglo-Dutch maker of Knorr soups, Dove soap and Lipton teas rose 10% to 53.3 billion euros ($57.9 billion), boosted by a 5.9% tailwind from exchange rates.

The past year has been more positive for Unilever after it was hammered in 2014 by a slowdown in emerging markets such as China that caused retailers and wholesalers to curb purchases.

But the company told investors not to expect smooth progress.

“We are preparing ourselves for tougher market conditions and high volatility in 2016, as world events in recent weeks have highlighted,” Chief Executive Paul Polman said on Tuesday.

Global uncertainty had never been higher, he said, evident in jumpy stock markets, low commodity prices, currency volatility and slower economic growth in China.

Underlying sales rose 4.1%, beating an average 3.9% forecast from analysts, it said, accelerating to 4.9% in the fourth quarter. Core operating profit rose by 12% to 7.9 billion euros.

Chief Financial Officer Graeme Pitkethly said Unilever had performed better in emerging markets in 2015, growing by 7.1%, with volume coming back quite strongly. Underlying sales growth in developed markets was flat.

“Our job is to deliver a consistent performance despite the bumps in the road,” he said.

“Our best estimate is we will deliver (sales) growth between three to five percent (this year), and our current momentum rate would put us squarely in the middle of that range.”

Shares in Unilever, which have risen 6% in the last 12 months, were trading up 1.7% at 2,893 pence at 1045 GMT in London, in line with the broader market.

Keith Bowman, equity analyst at Hargreaves Lansdown Stockbrokers, said Unilever appeared to be firmly back on track.

“Fourth quarter underlying sales have exceeded forecasts, underpinned by ongoing product innovation and brand investments,” he said.

The company, which gets a sizeable portion of its sales from emerging markets, has recently sold a bunch of mature North American food brands and bought several faster-growing skincare brands, as it aims to reposition its portfolio.

Chief Executive Polman said a focus on continuously improving products and investing in marketing was paying off.

In personal care, Dove Men performed strongly, he said, while in home care a new formulation for detergent Omo boosted profitability. Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum ice cream ranges were also a highlight.

Demand for spreads, like Unilever’s Flora, remained stubbornly weak, however, as more customers opted for butter.

There has been speculation that Unilever could sell the underperforming business, which was spun off into a separate unit last summer.

About the Author
By Reuters
See full bioRight Arrow Button Icon

Latest in Finance

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025

Most Popular

Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Finance
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetur adipiscing elit, sed do eiusmod tempor incididunt ut labore et dolore magna aliqua. Ut enim ad minim veniam
By Fortune Editors
October 20, 2025
Fortune Secondary Logo
Rankings
  • 100 Best Companies
  • Fortune 500
  • Global 500
  • Fortune 500 Europe
  • Most Powerful Women
  • World's Most Admired Companies
  • See All Rankings
  • Lists Calendar
Sections
  • Finance
  • Fortune Crypto
  • Features
  • Leadership
  • Health
  • Commentary
  • Success
  • Retail
  • Mpw
  • Tech
  • Lifestyle
  • CEO Initiative
  • Asia
  • Politics
  • Conferences
  • Europe
  • Newsletters
  • Personal Finance
  • Environment
  • Magazine
  • Education
Customer Support
  • Frequently Asked Questions
  • Customer Service Portal
  • Privacy Policy
  • Terms Of Use
  • Single Issues For Purchase
  • International Print
Commercial Services
  • Advertising
  • Fortune Brand Studio
  • Fortune Analytics
  • Fortune Conferences
  • Business Development
  • Group Subscriptions
About Us
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • About Us
  • Press Center
  • Work At Fortune
  • Terms And Conditions
  • Site Map
  • Facebook icon
  • Twitter icon
  • LinkedIn icon
  • Instagram icon
  • Pinterest icon

Latest in Finance

goldman
Investingprivate equity
‘The circulatory system isn’t working.’ Goldman on what’s really wrong with private markets
By Nick LichtenbergJune 10, 2026
57 minutes ago
Exclusive: Mastercard launches protocol to let AI agents pay each other, send micropayments
BankingMastercard
Exclusive: Mastercard launches protocol to let AI agents pay each other, send micropayments
By Ben WeissJune 10, 2026
57 minutes ago
The U.S. strategic petroleum reserve is so low it’s near panic levels
EnergyMarkets
The U.S. strategic petroleum reserve is so low it’s near panic levels
By Jim EdwardsJune 10, 2026
3 hours ago
Today’s top high-yield savings rates: Up to 5.00% on June 10, 2026
Personal FinanceSavings accounts
Today’s top high-yield savings rates: Up to 5.00% on June 10, 2026
By Glen Luke FlanaganJune 10, 2026
3 hours ago
Top CD rates today, June 10, 2026: Lock in up to up to 4.30%
Personal FinanceCertificates of Deposit (CDs)
Top CD rates today, June 10, 2026: Lock in up to up to 4.30%
By Glen Luke FlanaganJune 10, 2026
3 hours ago
Saudi economy redraws ambitions—‘going local’ is the new buzz phrase 
Middle EastSaudi Arabia
Saudi economy redraws ambitions—‘going local’ is the new buzz phrase 
By Melissa HancockJune 10, 2026
5 hours ago

Most Popular

Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
Asia
Pentagon accuses Alibaba, Baidu and BYD, three of China's biggest companies, of supporting the Chinese military
By Kate O'Keeffe and BloombergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
Economy
'We are rapidly running out of time': Watchdog sounds Social Security alarm after 22% cut confirmed for 2032
By Nick LichtenbergJune 9, 2026
20 hours ago
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
Success
Costco CEO Ron Vachris rose from forklift driver to the C-suite without a college degree: ‘Don’t chase a title’ is the career advice that got him there
By Preston ForeJune 8, 2026
2 days ago
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of oil as of June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
24 hours ago
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
Personal Finance
Current price of silver as of Tuesday, June 9, 2026
By Joseph HostetlerJune 9, 2026
1 day ago
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
Environment
Trump, who has repeatedly called climate change fake, is now threatening Brazil with tariffs over the deforestation of the Amazon
By Sasha RogelbergJune 8, 2026
2 days ago

© 2026 Fortune Media IP Limited. All Rights Reserved. Use of this site constitutes acceptance of our Terms of Use and Privacy Policy | CA Notice at Collection and Privacy Notice | Do Not Sell/Share My Personal Information
FORTUNE is a trademark of Fortune Media IP Limited, registered in the U.S. and other countries. FORTUNE may receive compensation for some links to products and services on this website. Offers may be subject to change without notice.