Unilever Plc (ULVR)Unilever on Thursday reported higher-than-expected third quarter underlying sales growth, as it hiked prices in response to cost inflation. The consumer goods and food maker said underlying sales rose 2.5% for the three months to September 30, beating the 2.2% of analysts' forecasts. Growth was boosted by good demand in the US, India, China and Turkey, while a 4.1% increase in prices offset a 1.5% volume decline.
The Company reiterated its guidance for full-year 2021 operating margins to be "around flat" year-on-year thanks to multiple factors. Those included revenue growth management initiatives, savings from efficiencies, some benefit from the unwinding of the Covid-19 on costs and mix and from adjusting Brand and Marketing investments. But Unilever might lose some market share after several large fast-moving consumer goods rivals, such P&G, Loreal or Nestle, had flagged their intention to ramp-up marketing spend.
The company could be a mega-merger target.
