Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Unilever reported a 4% underlying sales growth in Q3 2025, with a volume growth acceleration to 1.7% excluding ice cream, despite subdued markets [2][4] - The underlying sales growth was 3.9% with underlying price growth at 2.4% and volume contributing 1.5% [7][8] - Turnover for Q3 was EUR 14.7 billion, down 3.5% year on year, with a negative currency impact of 6.1% [27][28] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Well-being saw a 5.1% underlying sales growth, driven by strong volume growth [15] - Personal Care achieved a 4.1% underlying sales growth, with volume growth of 1% and price growth of 3.1% [17] - Home Care underlying sales grew 3.1%, with volume growth of 2.5% and price growth of 0.6% [20] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - North America grew underlying sales by 5.5%, with volume growth of 5.4%, driven by Personal Care and Well-being brands [9][10] - Europe experienced a 1.1% underlying sales growth, with a 0.6% decline in volume and 1.7% growth from price [10][11] - Emerging markets grew by 4.1%, led by a return to growth in Indonesia and China [4][12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focusing on premium segments and fast-growing channels, with a significant shift towards digital commerce [2][32] - Unilever is preparing for the demerger of its ice cream business, expected to be completed in 2025 [5][26] - The strategic priority is to strengthen the portfolio with more beauty, well-being, and personal care products [32][34] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management remains confident in achieving full-year outlook despite some softness in certain markets, particularly Latin America [30][31] - The company expects underlying sales growth to remain within the 3% to 5% multiyear range, with volume growth in Q4 expected to be at least in line with Q3 [30][31] - Management highlighted the importance of premium innovations and brand investments to drive future growth [34][36] Other Important Information - The company is experiencing a significant shift in consumer behavior towards premium products and digital channels [32][34] - The macroeconomic environment in India is favorable, with recent tax reforms expected to boost consumption [12][14] - The company is committed to maintaining competitive pricing while managing inflationary pressures [57][58] Q&A Session Summary Question: Clarification on volume growth expectations into 2026 - Management confirmed a 2% volume growth expectation into 2026, reflecting confidence in long-term market performance [37][50] Question: Growth of well-being and prestige brands in North America - Management reported strong double-digit growth in well-being brands like Liquid IV and Nutrafol, with a recovery in prestige beauty brands [41][42] Question: Actions taken in Latin America due to macroeconomic pressures - Management acknowledged challenges in Brazil and highlighted corrective actions taken in pricing and product formats to regain competitiveness [45][49] Question: Pricing outlook in a benign commodity cost environment - Management indicated that while commodity costs are benign, pricing adjustments will be necessary to manage inflationary pressures [53][58] Question: Performance of hair care brands in the U.S. - Management noted that TRESemmé has returned to growth in Q3, while some brands were consciously delisted to focus on sustainable growth [64][66] Question: Update on Liquid IV's global rollout - Management confirmed that Liquid IV is performing well in the U.S. and has been rolled out to eight markets, with plans for further expansion [66][67] Question: Performance in Mexico and expectations for hard currency earnings - Management reported soft market conditions in Mexico but expressed confidence in achieving positive hard currency earnings for the year [92][96] Question: Performance in Indonesia and China - Management expressed satisfaction with the growth in Indonesia and noted improvements in China, with all business groups returning to growth [99][101]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying sales growth for the first half was 3.4%, with volumes contributing 1.5% and price growth at 1.9% [8][31] - Turnover for the first half was €30.1 billion, down 3.2% year on year, primarily due to a negative currency impact of 4% [31][36] - Underlying operating profit was €5.8 billion, a decline of 4.8% versus the prior year, with underlying earnings per share at €1.59, down 2.1% [36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Well-being underlying sales growth was 3.7%, driven by 1.7% volume and 2% price [15] - Personal Care delivered 4.8% underlying sales growth, with 1.4% from volume and 3.3% from price [19] - Homecare underlying sales grew 1.3%, with 1.1% from volume and 0.2% from price [23] - Foods delivered competitive sales growth of 2.2%, with 0.3% from volume and 1.9% from price [25] - Ice cream underlying sales grew 5.9%, driven by a 3.8% increase in volume and 2% price growth [26] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Developed markets represented 44% of group turnover, with first half underlying sales growth of 4.3% [10] - North America saw underlying sales growth of 5.4%, with volumes up 3.7% [5] - Asia Pacific Africa, representing 43% of group turnover, delivered underlying sales growth of 3.5% [12] - Latin America grew only 0.5%, with a 4.6% decline in volume [13] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a transformation towards beauty and well-being, with significant investments in premium brands and innovation [50][56] - The demerger of the ice cream business is set for mid-November, with plans to retain a stake of just below 20% [28][29] - The company aims for multiyear volume growth of at least 2% and consistent gross margin expansion [47][56] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a second half underlying sales growth of 3% to 5%, with expectations for improved performance in emerging markets [42][46] - The macroeconomic environment remains uncertain, particularly in Latin America and China, but there are signs of recovery in India and Indonesia [46][94] - The company anticipates an improvement in underlying operating margin for the full year, with second half margins expected to be at least 18.5% [42][60] Other Important Information - The company completed a share buyback program of €1.5 billion, contributing 1.5% to earnings in the first half [38][41] - Free cash flow for 2025 was €1.1 billion, down from €2.2 billion in the prior year due to lower operating profit and ice cream separation costs [38][39] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for ex-ice cream performance and volume acceleration - Management expects volume growth of about 2% for the remaining company in the second half, supported by improved market conditions and strong brand investments [63][65] Question: Insights on M&A strategy and recent acquisitions - The company remains committed to bolt-on M&A, focusing on beauty and personal care brands with strong digital presence and functionality, such as Doctor Squatch and Wilde [71][72] Question: Outlook for Latin America and performance in key markets - Management acknowledged a weak quarter in Latin America, with challenges in Brazil and Mexico, but expects improvements in the second half as pricing strategies are adjusted [77][81] Question: Recovery expectations in Asia, particularly India and Indonesia - Management is optimistic about growth in India, with strong performance in Home Care and e-commerce, while Indonesia is expected to show positive volume growth in the second half [89][92]

Financial Data and Key Metrics Changes - Underlying sales growth for the first half of 2025 was 3.4%, with volumes contributing 1.5% and price growth at 1.9% [6][30] - Turnover for the first half was €30.1 billion, down 3.2% year on year, primarily due to a negative currency impact of 4% [30][36] - Underlying operating profit was €5.8 billion, a decline of 4.8% versus the prior year, and underlying earnings per share was €1.59, down 2.1% [34][36] Business Line Data and Key Metrics Changes - Beauty and Well-being achieved underlying sales growth of 3.7%, driven by 1.7% volume and 2% price [14] - Personal Care delivered 4.8% underlying sales growth, with 1.4% from volume and 3.3% from price [17] - Homecare underlying sales grew 1.3%, with 1.1% from volume and 0.2% from price [21] - Foods delivered competitive sales growth of 2.2%, with 0.3% from volume and 1.9% from price [23] - Ice cream underlying sales grew 5.9%, driven by a 3.8% increase in volume and 2% price growth [24] Market Data and Key Metrics Changes - Developed markets represented 44% of group turnover, with first half underlying sales growth of 4.3% [8] - North America saw underlying sales growth of 5.4%, with volumes up 3.7% [4] - Asia Pacific Africa, representing 43% of group turnover, delivered underlying sales growth of 3.5% [11] - Latin America grew only 0.5%, with a 4.6% decline in volume due to challenging macroeconomic conditions [12] Company Strategy and Development Direction - The company is focused on a transformation towards beauty and well-being, with significant investments in premium brands and innovation [48][54] - The demerger of the ice cream business is set for mid-November, with the intention to retain a stake of just below 20% in the new entity [26][27] - The company aims for multiyear volume growth of at least 2% and consistent gross margin expansion, targeting mid-single digit underlying sales growth [45][54] Management's Comments on Operating Environment and Future Outlook - Management expressed confidence in achieving a second half underlying sales growth of 3% to 5%, supported by strong performance in developed markets and improving trends in emerging markets [41][44] - The company anticipates an improvement in underlying operating margin for the full year, with second half margins expected to be at least 18.5% [41][54] - Management acknowledged challenges in Latin America and China but expects improvements in the second half due to operational interventions [44][92] Other Important Information - The company completed a share buyback program of €1.5 billion, contributing 1.5% to earnings in the first half [36][39] - Free cash flow for 2025 was €1.1 billion, down from €2.2 billion in the prior year due to lower operating profit and ice cream separation costs [36][37] Q&A Session Summary Question: Expectations for ex-ice cream performance and volume acceleration - Management expects to achieve volume growth of about 2% for the remaining company in the second half, supported by improved market conditions and strong brand investments [61][63] Question: Insights on M&A strategy and recent acquisitions - The company remains committed to bolt-on M&A, focusing on acquiring brands with strong digital presence and functionality, such as Doctor Squatch and Wilde [70][72] Question: Outlook for Latin America and performance in key markets - Management noted a weak quarter in Latin America due to economic pressures but expects improvements with strategic pricing adjustments and innovation [76][80] Question: Recovery expectations in Asia, particularly India and Indonesia - Management is optimistic about growth in India, expecting continued volume increases, while Indonesia is showing signs of recovery with improved fundamentals [88][90]