This story was originally published on CIO Dive. To receive daily news and insights, subscribe to our free daily CIO Dive newsletter. Dive Brief:  Unilever plans to migrate its data and cloud platform to Google Cloud as part of a five-year partnership that will allow the company to use tools such as Vertex AI — Google Cloud’s enterprise AI platform — to build an AI-first technology foundation, the two companies announced Tuesday.  The consumer goods provider will integrate its enterprise apps and data pl ...

Turnover was EUR 50.5 billion, down 3.8% year over year, driven by a 5.9% foreign exchange headwind. Excluding currency, turnover rose 2.3%, supported by underlying sales growth and partially offset by portfolio actions. Unilever cited a net impact from acquisitions and disposals of -1.2%, with acquisitions contributing 0.6% (including Minimalist, Wild, and Dr. Squatch) and disposals contributing -1.8% (including the prior-year exits of Unilever Russia and the China water purification business, along with 2 ...

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year, underlying sales growth was 3.5%, with volumes at 1.5% and price at 2% [5] - Turnover for the full year was EUR 50.5 billion, down 3.8% versus the prior year, primarily due to significant currency headwinds [25] - Underlying operating margin expanded by 60 basis points to 20% in 2025, reflecting a structurally strong margin profile [26] - Underlying EPS rose to EUR 3.08, up 0.7% versus the prior year, with sales growth and margin expansion contributing 6.5% to EPS growth [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Wellbeing delivered underlying sales growth of 4.7% for the full year, with volumes up 2.8% [10] - Personal Care delivered underlying sales growth of 4.7% for the full year, driven by strong performance in the U.S. [11] - Home Care delivered underlying sales growth of 2.6% for the year, primarily volume-led at 2.2% [14] - Foods delivered underlying sales growth of 2.5% for the year, with 0.8% from volume and 1.7% from price [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Developed markets delivered underlying sales growth of 3.6% for the year, while emerging markets delivered underlying sales growth of 3.5% [19][21] - In North America, underlying sales grew 5.3% for the year, with volumes contributing 3.8% [20] - In Asia Pacific Africa, underlying sales growth was 4.6% for the year, with volumes contributing 3% [21] - Latin America saw underlying sales growth of 0.5% for the year, reflecting a broad-based market slowdown [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on beauty, wellbeing, and personal care, with an emphasis on premium segments and digitally native brands [32][34] - The company completed the demerger of ice cream and 10 transactions to sharpen its portfolio and increase focus on growth [34] - The company is committed to a disciplined capital allocation strategy, focusing on growth and productivity while delivering attractive capital returns [31][44] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed confidence in emerging markets, expecting volume growth of at least 2% in 2026 [36] - The company anticipates underlying sales growth for 2026 to be at the bottom end of the multi-year range of 4%-6% [36] - Management acknowledged challenges in developed markets but emphasized the strength of their portfolio and execution [38] Other Important Information - Free cash flow for the year was EUR 5.9 billion, representing 100% cash conversion [29] - The company has delivered more than EUR 670 million of savings from its productivity program, ahead of schedule [27][59] - The company plans to continue investing in brand and marketing, with 16.1% of turnover allocated to these areas, the highest percentage in over a decade [27] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Emerging market outlook for 2026 - Management expressed confidence in emerging markets, noting improvements in India and Indonesia, and a gradual recovery in China [51][52][53] Question: Pricing outlook for 2026 - Management expects pricing growth to be around 2% for 2026, with some increased promotional spending noted [64] Question: Key building blocks for margin improvement in 2026 - Management highlighted the importance of gross margin expansion, productivity savings, and disciplined pricing as key factors for margin improvement [66][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year, underlying sales growth was 3.5%, with volumes at 1.5% and price at 2% [5] - Turnover for the full year was EUR 50.5 billion, down 3.8% versus the prior year, primarily due to significant currency headwinds [25] - Underlying operating margin expanded by 60 basis points to 20% in 2025, reflecting a structurally strong margin profile [26] - Underlying EPS rose to EUR 3.08, up 0.7% versus the prior year, with sales growth and margin expansion contributing 6.5% to EPS growth [28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Wellbeing delivered underlying sales growth of 4.3%, evenly split between volume of 2.2% and price at 2.1% [10] - Personal Care delivered underlying sales growth of 4.7% for the full year, with price contributing 3.6% and volumes growing 1.1% [11] - Home Care delivered underlying sales growth of 2.6% for the year, primarily volume-led at 2.2% [14] - Foods delivered underlying sales growth of 2.5% for the year, with 0.8% from volume and 1.7% from price [16] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Developed markets delivered underlying sales growth of 3.6% for the year, with North America being a standout performer [19] - Emerging markets delivered underlying sales growth of 3.5% for the year, accelerating to 5.8% in the fourth quarter [21] - In India, underlying sales grew 4% for the year, with volumes up 3% [22] - In China, underlying sales growth was flat for the year, but improved in the second half, including mid-single-digit growth in the fourth quarter [23] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to sharpen its portfolio, having rotated 15% of the total portfolio in 2025 through acquisitions and disposals [3] - Focus remains on beauty, wellbeing, and personal care, with an emphasis on premium segments and digitally native brands [34] - The company is committed to a disciplined capital allocation strategy, prioritizing growth and productivity while delivering attractive capital returns [31] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in emerging markets, expecting volume growth of at least 2% in 2026 [36] - The company anticipates underlying sales growth for the full year to be at the bottom end of the multi-year range of 4%-6% [36] - Management highlighted the importance of maintaining a focus on volume-led growth and margin expansion [43] Other Important Information - Free cash flow for the year was EUR 5.9 billion, representing 100% cash conversion [29] - The company completed an eight-for-nine share consolidation in December 2025 following the ice cream separation [29] - The productivity program has delivered more than EUR 670 million of savings, with a commitment to complete EUR 800 million by 2026 [27][59] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Emerging market outlook for 2026 - Management expressed confidence in emerging markets, noting improvements in India and Indonesia, and a gradual recovery in China [51][52][53][54] Question: Pricing outlook for 2026 - Management expects pricing growth to be around 2% for 2026, with some increased promotional spending noted [62][64] Question: Key building blocks for margin improvement in 2026 - Management highlighted a structurally high gross margin and ongoing productivity initiatives as key factors supporting margin improvement [66][68]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - For the full year, underlying sales growth was 3.5%, with volumes at 1.5% and price at 2% [4] - Turnover for the full year was EUR 50.5 billion, down 3.8% versus the prior year, primarily due to significant currency headwinds [23] - Underlying operating margin expanded by 60 basis points to 20% in 2025, reflecting a structurally strong margin profile [24] - Underlying EPS rose to EUR 3.08, up 0.7% versus the prior year, with sales growth and margin expansion contributing 6.5% to EPS growth [26] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Wellbeing delivered underlying sales growth of 4.7% for the full year, with volumes up 2.8% [8] - Personal Care delivered underlying sales growth of 4.7% for the full year, driven by strong performance in the U.S. [9] - Home Care delivered underlying sales growth of 2.6% for the year, primarily volume-led at 2.2% [11] - Foods delivered underlying sales growth of 2.5% for the year, with 0.8% from volume and 1.7% from price [13] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Developed markets delivered underlying sales growth of 3.6% for the year, with North America being a standout performer [16] - Emerging markets delivered underlying sales growth of 3.5% for the year, with growth accelerating to 5.8% in the fourth quarter [18] - In India, underlying sales grew 4% for the year, with volumes up 3% [20] - In China, underlying sales growth was flat for the year, but showed improvement in the second half [21] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company aims to focus on premium segments, digitally native brands, and dCommerce exposure, particularly in the U.S. and India [31] - The company is committed to simplifying its portfolio through targeted disposals while pursuing bolt-on acquisitions aligned to its strategy [32] - The company expects underlying sales growth for 2026 to be at the bottom end of the multi-year range of 4%-6% [34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - The management expressed confidence in emerging markets, citing improved performance and brand equity in India and Indonesia [49][50] - The management acknowledged challenges in developed markets but noted strong execution and brand performance in North America [53] - The company anticipates inflationary pressures in select commodities for 2026, but overall inflation is expected to be lower than in 2025 [34] Other Important Information - Free cash flow for the year was EUR 5.9 billion, representing 100% cash conversion [28] - The company returned EUR 6 billion to shareholders in 2025, comprising EUR 4.5 billion in dividends and EUR 1.5 billion in share buybacks [31] - The company completed the ice cream demerger and 10 transactions during the year, significantly increasing focus on growth [32] Q&A Session Questions and Answers Question: Can you talk about the emerging market outlook for 2026? - The management expressed confidence in emerging markets, highlighting improved performance in India and Indonesia, and a gradual recovery in China [49][50] Question: Can you discuss the pricing outlook for 2026? - The management expects pricing to be around 2% for 2026, with some increased promotional spending, particularly in foods [60] Question: What are the key building blocks supporting confidence in achieving margin improvement in 2026? - The management highlighted consistent gross margin expansion, productivity savings, and disciplined capital allocation as key factors supporting margin improvement [63][64]

Full Year 2025 Results 12 February 2026 Fernando Fernandez & Srinivas Phatak 1 Safe harbour statement This presentation may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words and terminology such as 'will', 'aim' ...

Core Insights - Oakmark International Fund's fourth-quarter 2025 investor letter highlights a focus on long-term capital appreciation through investments in non-U.S. mid and large-cap companies, with a reported return of 4.83% for the fund, slightly underperforming the MSCI World ex USA Index's gain of 5.20% [1] Fund Performance - The fund's top performance contributors were in the healthcare and financial sectors, while consumer staples were the only detractor [1] - The fund's top five holdings can be reviewed for insights into its best investment picks for 2025 [1] Company Focus: Unilever PLC - Unilever PLC is identified as a key stock in the fund's portfolio, operating in various segments including Beauty & Wellbeing, Personal Care, Home Care, Nutrition, and Ice Cream [2] - As of January 14, 2026, Unilever's stock closed at $65.33, with a one-month return of -0.20% and a 10.00% gain over the last 52 weeks, alongside a market capitalization of $142.546 billion [2] - The fund appreciates Unilever's refreshed management team and their strategic initiatives aimed at improving execution and driving consistent growth, particularly in higher-margin categories [3] - Despite a strong outlook, Unilever trades at a discount compared to peers due to historical underperformance, presenting an investment opportunity in a company with strong brands and improved management [3] Market Sentiment - Morgan Stanley has resumed coverage of Unilever with an overweight view, noting that it is not among the 30 most popular stocks among hedge funds, with 27 hedge fund portfolios holding the stock at the end of the third quarter [4] - While acknowledging Unilever's potential, there is a belief that certain AI stocks may offer greater upside potential and lower downside risk [4]

Core Insights - Unilever's new "influencer-first" strategy aims to work with 20 times more influencers and allocate 50% of its ad budget to social media, up from 30% [1][2] - The company is currently collaborating with approximately 300,000 influencers globally, significantly impacting the influencer marketing landscape [3][6] Industry Impact - Unilever's commitment to expanding its influencer roster has led to increased leverage on the supply side, resulting in price inflation and attracting new entrants to the influencer market [2] - Following Unilever's announcement, many advertisers are reassessing their influencer marketing strategies, with some planning to increase their budgets [9][11] - A survey indicated that 62% of marketers intend to raise their annual influencer budgets by 2026, with US advertiser spending on creators projected to reach $37 billion in 2025, a 26% year-over-year increase [7] Competitive Dynamics - Unilever's strategy has prompted other brands to follow suit, with several major advertisers detailing plans to increase their influencer marketing budgets during recent earnings calls [11] - The competition for top-tier influencers has intensified, leading to higher fees for those appealing to beauty, personal care, and food brands [12][13] Market Trends - The influencer market is maturing, with partnerships often including usage rights and ads across multiple channels [13] - Despite the overall growth, not all creators benefit equally; fee inflation is primarily concentrated among macro creators, while nano creators may not see similar increases [14][19] - The number of user-generated content (UGC) creators surged by 93% year-over-year, leading to a decrease in average brand spend per influencer collaboration [16][17]

Core Insights - Unilever is undergoing significant changes in its marketing strategy and organizational structure in response to industry shifts and consumer behavior [3][5][7] - The company has appointed Leandro Barreto as the new Chief Marketing Officer, expanding his role to oversee marketing across the entire enterprise [6][7] - Unilever's marketing strategy will increasingly focus on social media and influencer partnerships, with plans to shift half of its total ad spend to social platforms and increase influencer collaboration by 20 times [6][7] Company Restructuring - Unilever has enacted a wide-ranging restructuring to adapt to pressures on growth, which includes a CEO transition from Hein Schumacher to Fernando Fernandez [4][7] - The restructuring aims to align business groups and marketing agendas more closely to enhance consumer engagement and drive impact [5][7] Leadership Changes - Esi Eggleston Bracey, the outgoing Chief Growth and Marketing Officer, will depart at the end of January after two years in the role [6][7] - Leandro Barreto, a veteran with over 20 years at Unilever, is expected to leverage his experience to accelerate brand desirability and marketing effectiveness [6][7] Strategic Focus - Unilever's recent acquisition of the men's grooming brand Dr. Squatch for $1.5 billion reflects its commitment to viral, social-first marketing aimed at younger consumers [6] - The company acknowledges the "remarkable industry change" and "era of digital revolution" as key factors influencing its marketing strategies [5]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unilever reported underlying sales growth of 3.9% in Q3 2025, with underlying price growth at 2.4% and volume contributing 1.5% [5][6][18] - Turnover for Q3 was EUR 14.7 billion, down 3.5% year-on-year, primarily due to a negative currency impact of 6.1% [18][19] - The company expects an adverse currency impact on full-year turnover of around 6% and a 30 basis points impact on the underlying operating margin [19] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Wellbeing and Personal Care were major growth engines, with underlying sales growth of 5.1% and 4.1% respectively [22][10] - Power brands, which represent over 75% of turnover, grew by 4.4% in Q3, with volumes up 1.7% for the total group [6][7] - Home Care underlying sales grew 3.1%, driven by strong performances from CIF and Domestos [15] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America saw underlying sales growth of 5.5%, driven by Personal Care and Wellbeing brands [7][8] - Emerging markets grew by 4.1%, led by a return to growth in Indonesia and China, despite challenges in India and Latin America [3][9] - Latin America experienced a decline in underlying sales by 2.5%, with a 7.3% decline in volume [9][10] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on premium segments and fast-growing channels, with a significant shift towards digital commerce [22][60] - Unilever is preparing for the demerger of its ice cream business, expected to be completed in 2025 [3][17] - The strategic priority is to strengthen the portfolio with more beauty, wellbeing, and personal care products, aiming for a higher market share in key categories [22][47] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in meeting full-year outlook despite some market softness, particularly in Latin America [21][22] - The company anticipates volume growth in Q4 to be at least in line with Q3, with an expected improvement in underlying operating margin for the full year [21][68] - Management highlighted the importance of learning from challenges in Latin America to avoid similar issues in other regions [32][75] Other Important Information - The company has made significant investments in premium innovations and brand execution, which are expected to drive future growth [22][23] - The acquisition of Dr. Squatch is expected to enhance Unilever's presence in the premium male grooming segment [14] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on volume growth expectations into 2026 - Management confirmed expectations of 2% volume growth into 2026, reflecting confidence in long-term market performance [25][28] Question: Growth of Wellbeing and Prestige in North America - Management noted strong double-digit growth in Liquid I.V. and Nutrafol, with improvements in prestige beauty brands like Hourglass and K18 [28][29] Question: Challenges in Latin America - Management acknowledged self-inflicted issues in Brazil, particularly in laundry and deodorants, and outlined corrective actions being taken [30][31] Question: Pricing outlook in light of commodity costs - Management indicated that while commodity costs are relatively benign, wage inflation and currency devaluation are factors to consider for future pricing strategies [38][39] Question: Performance in China and Indonesia - Management reported positive growth in both markets, with significant improvements in Indonesia attributed to a reset in business fundamentals [71][72]