Core Viewpoint - Unilever PLC is undergoing significant changes, including the demerger of its ice cream arm, which has led to mixed reactions from analysts and investors [1][3][6] Financial Performance - UBS maintains a "Sell" rating for Unilever, adjusting its price target from 4,635 GBp to 4,440 GBp, indicating potential challenges ahead [2][6] - The current stock price of Unilever is $64.19, with a market capitalization of approximately $158.79 billion [5] Market Growth and Challenges - The demerger of Unilever's ice cream, tea, and coffee businesses raises concerns about market growth and earnings dilution, with UBS suggesting an 8.4% potential downside from the current share price [3][6] - Unilever aims for mid-single-digit underlying sales growth in the medium term, despite current market volume growth being closer to 1% [4][6] Operational Expectations - Unilever expects its operating margin, excluding ice cream, to be at least 19.5% for the second half of the year [4] - The company reaffirms its fourth-quarter volume growth guidance to match the third quarter's 1.7% [3]

Core Viewpoint - Unilever PLC has implemented a reverse stock split as part of its strategy to streamline operations and enhance shareholder value, coinciding with a significant increase in its share price following the demerger of its ice cream division [1][5]. Group 1: Reverse Stock Split - The reverse stock split occurred on December 9, 2025, exchanging 9 shares for every 8 shares previously held [1][5]. - This move is aimed at improving operational efficiency and increasing shareholder value [1][5]. Group 2: Share Price Movement - Following the reverse stock split, Unilever's share price rose nearly 13% in early trading [2][5]. - The current stock price is $64.49, reflecting an increase of 16.62% with a change of $9.19 [4][5]. - Over the past year, the stock has fluctuated between a high of $65.66 and a low of $54.32 [4]. Group 3: Share Structure Post-Consolidation - Post-consolidation, Unilever has over 2.2 billion ordinary shares in issue, with approximately 2.18 billion carrying voting rights [3][5]. - Some investors' shareholdings did not convert neatly under the new ratio, and Unilever plans to pool these fractional shares and sell them in the market, returning the net cash proceeds to shareholders [3].

Core Insights - American consumers are expected to spend $40.6 billion more this holiday season due to tariffs imposed by President Trump, with consumers bearing the majority of the costs [2][3] - The average additional cost per shopper is estimated to be $132, leading to potential changes in consumer behavior regarding gift-giving and spending [3][4] Consumer Impact - Consumers will incur an estimated $28.6 billion of the total additional costs from tariffs, while retailers will absorb the remaining $12 billion [3] - Retail analysts predict that higher costs will result in consumers purchasing fewer items this holiday season, which may lead to reduced gift-giving or increased debt [4] Specific Product Categories - Holiday electronics will see the highest additional cost, averaging $186 per shopper, followed by clothing and accessories at $82 per shopper [5][6] - Other categories such as personal care items, beauty products, and toys will incur an extra cost of $14 per shopper, while food and candy will cost an additional $12 per buyer due to tariffs [6]