Unilever 3Q Underlying Sales Rose on Strong Hygiene, Food-at-Home Growth

By Matteo Castia

Unilever PLC said Thursday that third-quarter underlying sales rose thanks to growth in hand and home hygiene products, as well as in food consumed at home.

The Anglo-Dutch multisector retailer--which owns consumer brands such as Ben & Jerry's ice cream, Dove soap and Cif and Domestos cleaning products--said quarterly underlying sales rose 4.4% year-on-year, while turnover fell 2.4% to 12.9 billion euros ($15.3 billion).

Turnover had a positive contribution of 1.3% from acquisitions net of disposals but took a 7.7% hit from currency, Unilever said.

"In North America, market growth continued to be driven by elevated demand for foods consumed at home. European markets saw a mixed picture on growth and a challenging pricing environment. In China, growth improved slightly compared to the second quarter. After a strict lock-down earlier in the year," the company said.

Beauty and personal care remained the largest contributor to quarterly turnover, generating EUR5.3 billion.

The board declared a quarterly dividend of 41.04 European cents, or 37.46 pence (49.25 U.S. cents) compared with 35.76 pence the prior year.

Write to Matteo Castia at [e-mail]

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 22, 2020 02:35 ET (06:35 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2020 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.