Unilever (UL) FY 2025 Conference September 03, 2025 09:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsWarren Ackerman - MD & Head - EU Consumer Staples ResearchFernando Fernandez - CEO & DirectorWarren AckermanIt's actually come on now. The format today is Fernando's going to do a set piece presentation for about 30 minutes, and then I've got a few questions for him for 10 or 15 minutes, or 10 minutes. Then there's going to be a breakout next door, which you can join. I'm going to be here because I'm doing Nestlé back to bac ...

Unilever (UL) FY 2025 Conference September 03, 2025 09:00 AM ET Speaker0It's actually come on now. The format today is Fernando's going to do a set piece presentation for about 30 minutes, and then I've got a few questions for him for 10 or 15 minutes, or 10 minutes. Then there's going to be a breakout next door, which you can join. I'm going to be here because I'm doing Nestlé back to back. That's the way it's going to work. Fernando, why don't you take the stage, and we'll go from there.Speaker1Good. Than ...

Unilever (UL) FY 2025 Conference September 03, 2025 09:00 AM ET Speaker0It's actually come on now. The format today is Fernando's going to do a set piece presentation for about 30 minutes, and then I've got a few questions for him for 10 or 15 minutes, or 10 minutes. Then there's going to be a breakout next door, which you can join. I'm going to be here because I'm doing Nestlé back to back. That's the way it's going to work. Fernando, why don't you take the stage, and we'll go from there.Speaker1Good. Than ...

Unilever (UL) H1 2025 Earnings Call July 31, 2025 03:00 AM ET Company ParticipantsFernando Fernandez - CEO & DirectorSrinivas Phatak - Acting CFOCeline Pannuti - Managing DirectorWarren Ackerman - MD and head of EU Consumer Staples ResearchOlivier Nicolaï - Head - Consumer Staples ResearchJeremy Fialko - Head - Consumer Staples ResearchSarah Simon - Managing DirectorDavid Hayes - Managing DirectorVictoria Petrova - DirectorTom Sykes - MD - Equity ResearchConference Call ParticipantsCallum Elliott - Senior A ...

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]