Each technology initiative is detailed with insights into the technology theme, objectives, and benefits. Additionally, the report includes details on Unilever's estimated ICT budgets and major ICT contracts, providing a thorough understanding of the company's technological investments and priorities. The report provides comprehensive information and insights into Unilever's tech activities, including its digital transformation strategies and innovation programs. It offers an overview of Unilever's technolo ...

Nike shoes and logo are seen at a store in Nice, France on May 28, 2024. (Photo by Jakub ... [+] Porzycki/NurPhoto via Getty Images) NurPhoto via Getty Images We believe that Nike (NYSE: NKE) is currently a better pick over Unilever (NYSE: UL). The decision to invest often comes down to finding the best stocks within the scope of certain characteristics that suit an investment style. In this case, although these companies are from different sectors, with Nike a consumer cyclical and Unilever a consumer defe ...

Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL) Deutsche Bank Global Consumer Conference 2024 June 4, 2024 5:15 AM ET Hein Schumacher - CEO Fernando Fernandez - CFO Good morning, everybody, and welcome to this session with Unilever. I'm Tom Sykes, Head of the Consumer Staples Research Team in Europe. And it's my pleasure to offer a warm welcome to Hein Schumacher, Group CEO, and Fernando Fernandez, Group CFO. Over to you, guys. Good morning, everyone, and thank you, Tom, for that introduction. Hey, we're very happy to be here at th ...

CPG Executive Alfie Vivian Named CEO of Newly Independent Company Yellow Wood Extends Position as Leading Health and Beauty Investor with Global Brand Portfolio Retail Sales of Over $3 Billion BOSTON, June 6, 2024 /PRNewswire/ -- Yellow Wood Partners LLC ("Yellow Wood"), a Boston-based private equity firm focused on investing in consumer brands and companies, today announced that it has completed the acquisition of Elida Beauty brands from Unilever (NYSE: UL). The Elida Beauty portfolio of storied consumer ...

Unilever looks to streamline its operations while growing alongside the emerging markets it serves. Currently, investors would need to buy roughly $29,400 worth of Unilever (UL 0.35%) stock -- or about 542 shares -- to receive $1,000 in annual dividend income. As impressive as the consumer staples juggernaut's 3.4% dividend yield is, this outlay of hard-earned cash may make $1,000 of dividend income seem unattainable to many investors. However, let's consider it through a different historical lens. Had an i ...

Activist investor Nelson Peltz is betting big on Unilever, and he's starting to help shape the business, like he did with Procter & Gamble. It is a mistake to blindly follow any famous investor, but that doesn't mean you shouldn't pay attention to what they are doing. That's particularly true with Nelson Peltz, an activist investor who prefers to work with the companies in which he invests. He has a long track record of helping off-track companies get back on the growth path. Right now, he's working with co ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - The company reported underlying sales growth of 4.4% in the first quarter, with volume growth increasing to 2.2% [4][123] - Turnover for the first quarter was €15 billion, up 1.4% compared to the previous year, with underlying sales growth contributing 4.4% [16] - Price growth moderated to 2.2% for the quarter, with a reduction from acquisitions or disposals of 0.9% [10][17] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Power Brands, which contribute approximately 75% of turnover, achieved underlying sales growth of 6.1%, driven by a strong volume contribution of 3.8% [10][124] - Personal Care grew by 4.8%, with 3.4% from price and 1.4% from volume, particularly strong in North America [12] - Home Care growth was 3.1%, with volume up 4.3% and price down 1.1%, driven by significant volume increases across various categories [13] - Nutrition experienced growth of 3.7%, with price up 4.1% and volumes down 0.4% [14] - Ice Cream growth was 2.3%, with 3.2% in price and a decline of 0.9% in volume [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Latin America saw a volume growth of 8.1%, with strong performance across Brazil, Mexico, and Argentina [37] - North America experienced double-digit growth in Prestige and Health & Wellbeing, while overall volume growth showed signs of slowing [36][47] - In Europe, volumes remained negative but improved relative to the previous quarter, with a focus on promotional intensity to regain market share [51][110] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is implementing a Growth Action Plan (GAP) aimed at delivering faster growth, improving productivity, and enhancing performance [105][119] - A major productivity program has been announced to streamline operations and improve efficiency, with a target of €800 million in cost savings [7][25] - The separation of the Ice Cream business is underway, expected to be completed by the end of 2025, allowing for a more focused portfolio [121][81] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in the full-year outlook, citing significant progress in implementing GAP measures [122] - The company remains cautious about upgrading guidance due to unpredictability in price and volume dynamics [61] - Management highlighted the importance of volume growth as a key indicator of the quality of top-line performance [123] Other Important Information - The company is committed to sustainability, focusing on four key areas: climate, plastic, nature, and livelihoods [24][59] - Changes in remuneration measures were discussed, moving towards absolute profit improvement to support brand investments [20][44] Q&A Session Summary Question: Insights on North American market dynamics - Management noted that while there are signs of a slowdown in the overall business, brands like Dermalogica and Hourglass continue to perform strongly [36][37] Question: Performance of Deodorants franchise - Management attributed the strong performance in Deodorants to consistent product quality and successful global rollout strategies [39][40] Question: Pricing dynamics in Latin America - Management explained that pricing in Latin America was low due to strategic cuts in Argentina, but volume growth remains robust [90][91] Question: Market share recovery in Europe - Management indicated that market share losses were primarily due to private label competition, but they expect improvements in the second half of the year [95][110] Question: Impact of Ice Cream separation on financials - Management acknowledged potential tax liabilities from the separation but emphasized that cost savings from productivity programs would offset these impacts [96][101]

| --- | --- | --- | --- | --- | |----------------------------------------------------|-------|-------|-------|-------| | | | | | | | Q1 2024 Trading Statement Unilever | | | | | | Hein Schumacher & Fernando Fernandez 25 April 2024 | | | | | This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, concerning the financial condition, results of operations and businesses of the Unil ...

Financial Performance - The company reported a significant increase in revenue, reaching $X billion, representing a Y% growth compared to the previous quarter[984]. - The company provided an optimistic outlook for the next quarter, projecting revenue growth of A% and an expected user base increase of B million[984]. - The financial health remains strong, with a debt-to-equity ratio of J, indicating robust capital management[984]. - The dividend per share for 2023 was £1.48, consistent with 2022, while the US Registry dividend was $1.86[1001]. - The company experienced net material inflation of around €1.8 billion in 2023, but mitigated this through increased productivity and product pricing[1012]. - As of December 31, 2023, PLC's total outstanding Notes amounted to $11.2 billion, an increase from $10.75 billion in 2022, with coupons ranging from 0.626% to 5.900%[1075]. - There have been no material defaults in the payment of principal or interest related to the Group's indebtedness[1061]. - No arrears in payment of dividends on any class of preferred stock of significant subsidiaries were reported[1062]. User Engagement and Market Expansion - User data showed an increase in active users, now totaling Z million, which is a W% increase year-over-year[984]. - New product launches are anticipated to contribute an additional C billion in revenue, with a focus on D technology advancements[984]. - Market expansion efforts are underway in E regions, aiming for a market share increase of F% by the end of the fiscal year[984]. Research and Development - Research and development investments have increased by H%, focusing on innovative solutions to meet evolving customer needs[984]. - Unilever has invested approximately €900 million in R&D each year for the last three years, focusing on innovation and efficiency[1008]. - The company has a global team of 5,000 experts dedicated to innovation, utilizing advanced technology in its research and development processes[1009]. - Unilever holds over 20,000 patents and has a strong focus on developing biome-friendly products and sustainable materials[1008][1010]. Corporate Governance and Shareholder Value - The company is committed to enhancing shareholder value, with plans to increase dividends by K% in the upcoming fiscal period[984]. - The company is not aware of any arrangements that could lead to a change of control, ensuring stability in its governance structure[998]. - Unilever's share plans for North American employees are governed by the Unilever North America Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, amended on November 29, 2022[988]. Cybersecurity - Unilever's Audit Committee regularly oversees cybersecurity risks, with no known incidents materially affecting the company reported in 2023[1022][1023]. - Unilever has established a Cyber Security Risk Management Framework aligned with industry-standard methodologies, promoting a company-wide culture of cybersecurity awareness[1034]. - The Cyber Security Assurance team includes both internal and external expertise, conducting evaluations based on risk to improve Unilever's resilience posture[1034]. - Unilever's cybersecurity risk management activities aim to reduce the likelihood of material cybersecurity incidents, with established incident response procedures in place[1034]. - The Cyber Security Risk Management approach is integrated into Unilever's overall risk management framework, emphasizing the importance of cybersecurity as a principal risk[1034]. - Unilever's established Cyber Security Policies and Standards are subject to periodic review and modifications based on changes in risk[1034]. - Unilever's Cyber Security team drives continuous improvement initiatives to address emerging risks and conducts resilience planning and recovery testing[1034]. Taxation and Compliance - The maximum tax rate for dividends received by US individuals is 15% or 20%, depending on income level, with an additional 3.8% tax for high-income individuals[1036]. - For US Federal Income Tax purposes, dividends paid in non-US currency will be included in income based on the exchange rate on the date received[1037]. - Under UK law, no income tax is withheld from dividends paid by most UK companies, including PLC, allowing shareholders to receive the full declared amount[1030]. - Stamp duty at a rate of 0.5% is generally payable on the transfer of PLC shares, with specific rules for transfers to clearance services[1047]. Internal Controls and Audit - Management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, concluding it was effective, excluding two recently acquired entities[1073]. - The Group's internal control evaluation utilized the COSO framework, which is deemed suitable for measuring internal controls[1073]. - The average audit fees for KPMG LLP in 2023 were €23 million, consistent with the previous year[1074]. Sustainability and Environmental Practices - The company is committed to sustainability, as indicated by its environmental practices in document production[1091]. - The company encourages recycling and responsible disposal of its printed materials[1093]. Reporting and Documentation - The Annual Report on Form 20-F 2023 is filed with the US Securities and Exchange Commission and is available on Unilever's corporate website[1086]. - The Strategic Report outlines Unilever's strategy, business model, market outlook, and key performance indicators[1088]. - The Governance Report provides detailed corporate governance information and remuneration reports for Directors[1089]. - Unilever's financial statements and notes are included in the Annual Report, which spans pages 155 to 233[1090].

Financial Performance - In 2023, Unilever experienced net material inflation of approximately €1.8 billion, which was mitigated through increased productivity and product pricing strategies [1744]. - The dividend per share for 2023 was £1.48, consistent with the previous year, while the US Registry dividend was $1.86 [1731]. - In 2023, sales in Iran accounted for significantly less than 0.5% of Unilever's worldwide turnover, with gross revenues of approximately €3,273,897 and net profits of less than €1,442,981 [1749]. - PLC received $5,274,810 from Deutsche Bank for processing cash distributions and other reimbursements in fiscal year 2023 [1791]. - No material defaults or delinquencies were reported regarding the payment of principal or dividends for the Group [1792][1793]. - As of December 31, 2023, Unilever had US$11.2 billion of outstanding Notes, an increase from US$10.75 billion in 2022 and a decrease from US$12.1 billion in 2021 [5]. - The coupon rates for the outstanding Notes range from 0.626% to 5.900%, with repayment scheduled between March 7, 2024, and August 12, 2051 [5]. Research and Development - The company invested around €900 million in R&D annually over the last three years, focusing on innovation and sustainability [1738]. - Unilever holds over 20,000 patents and has more than 100 patents related to microbiome research, leading to new product innovations [1738][1740]. - Unilever's innovation strategy includes the use of digital and automated technology in its innovation centers, enhancing efficiency and speed to market [1739]. - The company is committed to sustainability goals, focusing on renewable materials and reducing plastic pollution through R&D efforts [1741]. Employee Relations - The average number of employees in 2023 included 129 seasonal workers, reflecting a stable relationship with labor unions [1716]. - Unilever's global employee share plan 'SHARES' allows employees to invest between €10 and €200 per month, with 331,195 shares outstanding as of February 2024 [1717]. - The company operates multiple share plans in North America, governed by the Unilever North America Omnibus Equity Compensation Plan, amended in November 2022 [1718]. Cybersecurity - Unilever's internal Cyber Security function is supported by a global team and external partners, ensuring alignment with cybersecurity industry best practices [1751]. - The Audit Committee has maintained a regular focus on cybersecurity risk oversight in 2023, with quarterly briefings provided by management [1752]. - Cybersecurity risk management is a principal risk for Unilever, with the Chief Financial Officer and Chief Business Operations Officer responsible for oversight [1754]. - Unilever has established a Cyber Security Risk Management Framework aligned with industry-standard methodologies, promoting a culture of cybersecurity awareness [1762]. - The Cyber Security Assurance team conducts independent evaluations of the risk posture of key systems and operations, influencing continuous improvement initiatives [1762]. - Unilever's cybersecurity controls and risk posture are regularly reviewed, with established incident response procedures in place to minimize business impact from potential cyber incidents [1762]. Shareholder Information - Approximately 40% of Unilever's ordinary shares were held in the United States in 2023, with 1,878 registered holders of American Depositary Receipts [1726]. - In 2023, PLC purchased a total of 31,734,256 ordinary shares or ADSs, with an average price paid per share ranging from £39.69 to £43.28 throughout the year [1800]. - The maximum number of shares that may yet be purchased under announced plans or programs reached 31,734,256 by the end of 2023 [1800]. - PLC's Articles of Association modifications require approval by a general meeting of shareholders, with specific thresholds for affected classes [1798][1799]. - The company has only fully paid shares in issue, with no outstanding ordinary shares eligible for redemption [1796]. - The company has not conducted any share repurchases between December 31, 2023, and February 22, 2024 [1800]. - The company is subject to US backup withholding and information reporting requirements for payments made to US holders of ordinary shares or ADSs [1785]. Operational Efficiency - The company has no plans for significant expansion or construction of new facilities, indicating a focus on optimizing existing operations [1750]. - Unilever's existing facilities are deemed satisfactory for current business needs, with no material environmental issues affecting properties [1750]. - Management assessed the effectiveness of internal control over financial reporting as of December 31, 2023, concluding it was effective, excluding two recently acquired entities that constituted 1.09% of total assets [1802]. - Audit fees for KPMG LLP in 2023 amounted to €23 million, consistent with the previous year [1803]. - The total fees paid for services in 2022 and 2021 were each less than €1 million, consistent with 2021 [4].