Core Insights - Investors are navigating a complex environment characterized by elevated inflation and central banks cutting rates to support softening labor markets [1][4] - The article emphasizes the importance of diversifying portfolios to mitigate risks associated with inflation and interest rate changes [2][21] Impact of Inflation and Rate Cuts on Stocks - Inflation affects all sectors, but companies with sufficient pricing power, particularly in essential goods and services, can maintain shareholder value [3][5] - The Federal Reserve's rate cuts on September 17, 2025, are aimed at addressing labor market weaknesses, creating opportunities for rate-sensitive sectors like property and technology [4][10] Defensive Sectors and Companies - Essential services and goods are considered "recession-proof," making them attractive during economic downturns [5][6] - Companies like Sheng Siong and Nestlé can pass rising costs to consumers, protecting profit margins during inflation [6][7] - The healthcare sector, exemplified by Johnson & Johnson, can also manage rising costs effectively due to non-discretionary demand [8] Opportunities in Low Interest Rates - Low interest rates stimulate borrowing, benefiting property developers and REITs, which can access cheaper financing [9][10] - City Developments Limited (CDL) is highlighted for its diversified assets and strong demand for residential properties, recently divesting a stake for S$834.2 million [11][12] - Growth stocks, particularly in technology, are well-positioned to leverage low interest rates for expansion [13][14] Blue-Chip Stocks as Stability - Blue-chip companies like DBS Group and Unilever provide stability and potential for capital appreciation, even in bearish markets [15][16][17] - DBS Group's strong fundamentals and regional presence have sustained investor confidence, with shares surpassing S$50 [16] Building a Balanced Portfolio - Diversification is crucial, combining inflation-resistant sectors (consumer staples, utilities, healthcare) with rate-sensitive opportunities (tech stocks, REITs, property developers) [19][22] - A multi-scenario approach allows investors to be prepared for varying economic conditions, ensuring no single shock derails the portfolio [20][21]

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]

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]

Core Insights - Unilever's beauty and well-being sales drove a 3.9% underlying group sales growth to 14.7 billion euros in Q3 [1][2] - The beauty and well-being division reported a 5.1% underlying sales growth to 3.2 billion euros, marking the highest growth within the group [2][3] - Overall sales at actual exchange fell 3.5% year-on-year due to net disposals and currency headwinds [2] Beauty and Well-Being Division Performance - Top performers included Dove hair, Vaseline, Liquid I.V., Nutrafol, Hourglass, and K18, all achieving double-digit growth [3] - Prestige beauty grew at mid-single digits, while Paula's Choice and Dermalogica returned to low-single-digit growth after previous declines [3] - Liquid I.V.'s sugar-free range, launched in mid-2023, now accounts for nearly 30% of total brand sales [4] Personal Care Division Performance - The personal care division saw a 4.1% underlying sales growth to 3.3 billion euros, with strong performance from Dove's premium innovations [4] Future Outlook - The CEO stated that the full-year underlying sales growth is expected to be between 3% and 5%, with second-half growth anticipated to exceed the first half [5] - An improvement in underlying operating margin is expected for the full year, with second-half margins projected to be at least 18.5% [6] Market Dynamics - Emerging markets like Indonesia and China returned to growth, driven by Unilever's power brands [7] - Significant investments in manufacturing, logistics, and e-commerce in China contributed to the growth across all major divisions [8] Strategic Focus - Unilever is prioritizing beauty, well-being, and personal care, with a focus on premium segments and digital commerce [9] - The underlying growth exceeded analysts' expectations of 3.7% [9] Market Reaction - RBC Capital Markets described the third-quarter numbers as "reassuring," with encouraging momentum in China and India expected to accelerate in Q4 [10]

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', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks', 'believes', 'vision', 'ambiti ...

Core Insights - Unilever's new CEO, Fernando Fernandez, is implementing significant leadership changes, aiming to refresh up to 25% of the company's top 200 leaders [1] - The company has reduced its white-collar workforce by approximately 18% over the past 18 months to enhance accountability [1] - Unilever is shifting from a geography-led strategy to a category-led approach, managing brands as comprehensive business units [1] Leadership Accountability - Fernandez highlighted the presence of "many pockets of mediocrity" within the company that need immediate attention [2] - The company now has absolute accountability with four business group presidents overseeing 44 P&L units, ensuring transparency in leadership [2] - Leaders are encouraged to make quicker decisions with a higher risk tolerance, operating with 70% certainty to avoid delays [6] Cultural Transformation - Unilever aims to foster a culture akin to a startup, which is unprecedented for a company of its size [6] - The company is hiring and promoting emerging talent, increasing performance incentives up to 200%, and offering rewards in "hard currency" [9] - The goal is to create a culture that recognizes and rewards leadership performance, ensuring Unilever remains competitive and innovative [9]