Unilever, one of the world’s largest producers of consumer goods, reported better‑than‑expected results in the final quarter of last year. The company’s strong performance was driven by high demand for premium beauty and home‑care products, especially in key markets such as the United States and India.
The company said on Thursday that underlying fourth‑quarter sales grew by 4.2%, exceeding analysts’ forecasts of 4%.
These results are the first since Unilever separated its ice‑cream division — which included the Ben & Jerry’s brand — into a standalone business. Chief Executive Officer Fernando Fernandez, who is nearing his first full year in the role, is continuing the reform strategy launched by his predecessor. He is streamlining the company by selling brands that cannot scale internationally and focusing on strengthening Unilever’s most successful products in major markets.
Investors have reacted positively to this strategy: Unilever’s shares have risen 9.5% since the beginning of the year.
Company executives note that demand for premium product categories continues to grow, and Unilever plans to expand investments in this direction.
