Core Insights - Unilever has reported its Q3 figures, indicating performance amidst market-wide turbulence earlier in the year [1] Financial Performance - The latest Q3 figures show Unilever's resilience and ability to outperform during challenging market conditions [1] Analyst Perspective - The analysis emphasizes a value-oriented approach to investment, suggesting that valuation is more indicative of long-term opportunities or risks rather than short- to mid-term timing [1]

Core Insights - Unilever has reported its Q3 figures, indicating performance amidst market-wide turbulence in the initial months of the year [1]. Financial Performance - The latest Q3 figures show Unilever's resilience and ability to outperform during challenging market conditions [1]. Analyst Perspective - The analysis emphasizes a value-oriented approach to investment, suggesting that valuation is more indicative of long-term opportunities or risks rather than short- to mid-term timing [1].

Core Insights - Unilever reported a 3.5% year-on-year decline in revenue for the first nine months of 2025, totaling €44.8 billion, with all five business segments experiencing a downturn [2] - The company is undergoing significant transformation efforts, including divesting over 20 non-core beauty and personal care brands, as it faces market challenges from changing consumer habits [2] - The ice cream business spin-off is expected to be completed in Q4 2025, with the CEO expressing confidence in improved operating profit margins for the second half of the year [2] Financial Performance - Revenue declines were noted across all business segments, with household care experiencing the largest drop at 5.3%, followed by ice cream at 4.2%, and beauty & health and food segments both around 3% [5] - Despite the overall revenue decline, underlying sales growth of approximately 3.9% was achieved, with beauty & health leading at 5.1% growth [5] - The Asia-Pacific and Africa regions showed a 6.8% increase in underlying sales, with China returning to growth, contrasting with earlier declines [5] Market Strategy - Unilever's growth in China is attributed to targeted marketing strategies and a premium product mix, although the market is still recovering [2][5] - The company is focusing on high-end markets and e-commerce, with significant reforms in its distribution system and adjustments to core brand operations [6] - Local innovation is becoming a key strategy, with R&D efforts being localized to better meet consumer demands in China [8][10] Consumer Trends - Chinese consumers are increasingly demanding more effective and clinically validated products, driving industry upgrades [9] - The skincare market in China is noted to have significant growth potential, with a penetration rate of only 66% [3]

Core Viewpoint - Unilever is adjusting the timeline for the spin-off of its ice cream business, now named Magnum Ice Cream Company, due to the ongoing U.S. government shutdown, but remains confident in completing the spin-off by 2025 [1][3][4]. Spin-off Timeline Adjustment - Unilever announced on October 21 that the spin-off of its ice cream business will be adjusted due to the U.S. government shutdown, with plans to complete the spin-off by 2025 [3][4]. - The spin-off is part of Unilever's strategy to simplify its operations and focus on its core business areas, which include beauty and health, personal care, home care, and nutrition [3][4]. Business Structure and Strategy - The board believes that under a different ownership structure, the ice cream business will better realize its growth potential, given its unique characteristics such as supply chain and sales channel dynamics [4]. - Post-spin-off, the ice cream management team will have operational and financial flexibility to optimize manufacturing and logistics networks and develop diverse distribution channels [4]. Financial Performance and Market Position - The newly formed Magnum Ice Cream Company has a business scale of €8.3 billion and operates in 76 countries, holding a 21% global market share [6]. - In 2022, the ice cream business reported a revenue of €7.888 billion, with a projected revenue of €8.282 billion for 2024 [6][7]. - The ice cream business's underlying sales grew by 9% in 2022, but faced challenges in 2023 with a 2.3% growth due to declining market share and profitability [7][8]. Market Dynamics in China - In the Chinese market, Magnum Ice Cream Company ranks second in market share, trailing behind Yili, and faces new challenges due to market changes and consumer preferences [1][11]. - The ice cream market in China is experiencing a shift towards more affordable products, with a notable decline in high-priced ice cream sales [11][12]. - The company is adapting to these changes by focusing on a more tailored market approach and product portfolio [9][10].

Core Insights - Unilever is undergoing significant strategic transformation amid performance pressures, including layoffs, leadership changes, and divestitures [2][6] Financial Performance - For the first nine months of 2025, Unilever reported a revenue of €44.8 billion, a year-on-year decline of 3.3% [3] - All business segments experienced revenue declines, with the largest drop in home care at 5.3%, followed by ice cream at 4.2%, and beauty & health and food segments both around 3% [3] - In Q3, sales amounted to €14.7 billion, down 3.5% year-on-year, but underlying sales grew by 3.9% [3] - The European market showed a slight revenue increase of 1.9%, while the Americas faced the largest decline at 5.1% [3] Strategic Challenges - Unilever's revenue growth has been sluggish, with a mere 1.9% increase in FY2024 and a net profit decline for two consecutive years [4] - The company faces intense competition from rivals like Procter & Gamble and L'Oréal, alongside changing consumer preferences towards natural and organic products [4] - Rising raw material costs have further pressured profit margins [4] Reform Initiatives - CEO Fernando Fernandez has identified three key reform areas: eliminating inefficient businesses, focusing on high-margin growth sectors, and enhancing digital capabilities [4][6] - The company plans to cut approximately 7,500 jobs globally, representing about 5.9% of its workforce, to save around $800 million [6] Market Dynamics - In China, Unilever's basic sales returned to low single-digit growth in Q3, attributed to targeted marketing strategies and a premium product mix [4][5] - The domestic consumption stimulus policies have revitalized the market, providing a favorable environment for Unilever's products [5] Business Adjustments - Unilever has divested non-core beauty and personal care brands, including Elida Beauty and its ice cream business, to focus on more sustainable and growth-oriented segments [6][7] - The planned spin-off of the ice cream business is expected to be completed by Q4 2025, with anticipated improvements in operating profit margins [7]

Core Viewpoint - The event highlighted the integration of sustainable development into corporate goals, with Unilever focusing on climate, plastics, nature, and livelihoods to fulfill its mission of making sustainable living accessible [2][4]. Group 1: Climate Initiatives - Unilever aims to achieve net-zero emissions across its entire value chain by 2039 [4]. - The company is committed to building resilient and regenerative natural ecosystems [4]. Group 2: Plastic Management - Unilever is reducing the use of virgin plastics while increasing the proportion of recycled plastics in its products [4][5]. - The company employs a "Rainbow Carbon" strategy, utilizing various carbon sources including green carbon from plants and blue carbon from marine resources [5]. Group 3: Livelihood Improvement - Unilever focuses on supporting smallholder farmers and SMEs within its value chain to enhance their living standards [4]. - The company has been involved in various community support initiatives, including building schools and supporting educational projects in rural areas [7]. Group 4: Sustainable Practices in Operations - All eight of Unilever's production and logistics centers in China utilize 100% green electricity through solar power and green power certificates [5]. - The company promotes sustainable consumption by creating convenient participation scenarios for consumers [5]. Group 5: Corporate Social Responsibility - Since 1996, Unilever has built 20 Hope Schools in remote areas of China and supported nearly 300 Hope Project initiatives benefiting over one million rural students [7]. - The company has engaged employees in a "Million Tree Planting" project for 16 consecutive years and has restored over 20,000 acres of grassland in the Tibetan Plateau [7].

Core Insights - Unilever reported a 3.5% year-on-year decline in revenue for the first nine months of 2025, totaling €44.8 billion, with all five business segments experiencing a downturn [1][5] - The company is undergoing significant transformation efforts, including divesting over 20 non-core beauty and personal care brands, with plans to complete the ice cream business spin-off by Q4 2025 [3][4] - CEO Fernando Fernandez expressed confidence in improving operating profit margins, projecting at least 18.5% for the second half of 2025, excluding the ice cream business [3] Financial Performance - All business segments saw varying degrees of revenue decline, with home care experiencing the largest drop at 5.3%, followed by ice cream at 4.2%, and beauty & health and food segments down approximately 3% [5] - However, underlying sales (excluding acquisitions, disposals, and currency effects) showed a growth of about 3.9%, with beauty & health leading at 5.1% growth [5] - The Asia-Pacific and Africa regions reported a 6.8% increase in underlying sales, with Indonesia growing by 12.7% and China returning to growth [5] Market Strategy - Unilever's growth in China is attributed to targeted marketing strategies and a premium product mix, although the market still has significant room for growth with a penetration rate of only 66% [3][5] - The company is focusing on high-end markets and e-commerce, particularly in the U.S. and India, reflecting challenges in sustaining growth in China [6] - Unilever is implementing localized innovation strategies, including the establishment of an AI-driven innovation platform to enhance competitiveness in the Chinese market [7][9] Consumer Trends - Chinese consumers are increasingly demanding more effective and clinically validated products, driving rapid upgrades in the beauty industry [8] - The emphasis on local insights and consumer needs is becoming crucial for international companies operating in China, as evidenced by the establishment of significant R&D centers [8][9]

Core Insights - Unilever reported a 3.5% decline in revenue for the first nine months of 2025, totaling €44.8 billion, with all five business segments experiencing a downturn [1] - The company is undergoing significant transformation efforts, including divesting over 20 non-core beauty and personal care brands, and plans to complete the spin-off of its ice cream business by Q4 2025 [1][3] - CEO Fernando Fernandez expressed confidence in improving operating profit margins, projecting at least 18.5% for the second half of 2025, and 19.5% excluding the ice cream business [1] Business Performance - All business segments saw revenue declines, with home care experiencing the largest drop at 5.3%, followed by ice cream at 4.2%, and beauty & health and food segments down approximately 3% [3] - However, underlying sales (excluding acquisitions, disposals, and currency effects) showed a growth of about 3.9%, with beauty & health leading at 5.1% growth [3] - The Asia-Pacific and Africa regions reported a 6.8% increase in underlying sales, with Indonesia growing by 12.7% and China returning to growth [3] Market Strategy - Unilever is focusing on high-end markets and e-commerce, particularly in the U.S. and India, while acknowledging challenges in the Chinese market due to intense competition and aging brands [4] - The company has implemented targeted interventions in China, such as expanding product offerings and enhancing brand promotion [3][4] Innovation and Localization - Unilever is shifting its localization strategy, emphasizing R&D capabilities in China, with the launch of the "AI for Science" innovation platform [6] - The Shanghai R&D center is one of six global centers, contributing to both local and global market needs [6] - The company aims to respond more quickly to local demands by rotating 25% of its leadership team under Fernandez's direction [8]

Core Insights - Unilever reported a decline in revenue for both Q3 and the first three quarters of 2025, with Q3 revenue at €14.7 billion (approximately ¥121.4 billion), down 3.5% year-on-year, and year-to-date revenue at €44.8 billion (approximately ¥370.0 billion), down 3.3% year-on-year [1][2] - Despite the overall decline, CEO Fernando Fernandez highlighted a return to growth in the Indonesian and Chinese markets, and significant improvement in overall performance when excluding the ice cream business [1][6] Financial Performance - The last significant growth for Unilever was in 2022, with a 16% increase in revenue, reaching €37.7 billion (approximately ¥376.8 billion) [1][2] - All five business segments (Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Foods, and Ice Cream) experienced declines in Q3 and year-to-date performance [2][3] Business Segment Analysis - **Beauty & Wellbeing**: Q3 revenue was €3.2 billion (approximately ¥264.5 billion), down 3.1% year-on-year; year-to-date revenue was €9.7 billion (approximately ¥801.8 billion), down 1.6% year-on-year [3][4] - **Personal Care**: Q3 revenue was €3.3 billion (approximately ¥272.6 billion), down 2.3% year-on-year; year-to-date revenue was €9.8 billion (approximately ¥809.6 billion), down 4.8% year-on-year [8][4] - **Home Care**: Q3 revenue was €2.8 billion (approximately ¥229.0 billion), down 5.3% year-on-year; year-to-date revenue was €8.7 billion (approximately ¥724.0 billion), down 6.4% year-on-year [4] - **Foods**: Q3 revenue was €3.1 billion (approximately ¥256.0 billion), down 2.9% year-on-year; year-to-date revenue was €9.7 billion (approximately ¥801.8 billion), down 2.2% year-on-year [4] - **Ice Cream**: Q3 revenue was €2.3 billion (approximately ¥189.0 billion), down 4.2% year-on-year; year-to-date revenue was €6.9 billion (approximately ¥573.0 billion), down 1.1% year-on-year [4] Regional Performance - The Asia Pacific and Africa region showed strong growth, particularly in China and Indonesia, with Q3 USG at 6.8% and revenue of €6.2 billion (approximately ¥512.2 billion), accounting for 42% of the group's overall performance [9][10] - The Americas region faced challenges, with Q3 revenue of €5.2 billion (approximately ¥429.7 billion) and a decline in Latin America, particularly in Brazil and Mexico [13] - Europe achieved Q3 revenue of €3.3 billion (approximately ¥272.6 billion), with growth across all business groups despite high year-on-year comparisons [13] Strategic Focus - Unilever is focusing on core businesses, particularly in beauty and health, with plans to spin off the ice cream business to enhance profitability [14][15] - The company aims to expand its portfolio in high-end segments and digital commerce, with the U.S. and India identified as key growth markets [15]

Core Insights - Unilever reported a 4% underlying sales growth in the third quarter of 2025, with volume growth accelerating to 1.7% excluding Ice Cream, despite challenging market conditions [3] - The growth was broad-based across all business groups, each achieving underlying sales growth above 3% [3] - The performance aligns with Unilever's full-year outlook, showcasing strong innovation, improved execution, and a strategic shift towards premium segments and fast-growing channels [4] Business Performance - Major growth engines, specifically Beauty & Wellbeing and Personal Care, delivered particularly strong performances [4] - The company continues to focus on its power brands, which are integral to its growth strategy [4] Leadership Update - Srini Phatak has been confirmed as the Chief Financial Officer, bringing extensive experience and expertise to the company [2]