Unilever PLC (NYSE:UL ) Barclays 17th Annual Global Consumer Staples Conference September 4, 2024 4:30 PM ET Corporate Participants Hein Schumacher - Chief Executive Officer Conference Call Participants Warren Ackerman - Barclays Warren Ackerman To the stage, thank you Hein for supporting the conference, it's great to see you. Hein Schumacher Good to see you again.
Luis Di Como, Unilever's global media head, will leave the company after 33 years. Di Como's exit coincides with Unilever's major restructuring and cost-cutting measures.
Does Unilever PLC (UL) have what it takes to be a top stock pick for momentum investors? Let's find out.
Shares of Aptamer Group PLC (AIM:APTA) rose by 4% following the announcement that the company has extended its contract with consumer giant Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) to advance the development of its Optimer binders for use in deodorant products. This extension, which follows successful lab-based tests, will allow the partnership to progress to efficacy testing in later this year.
Unilever (UL) might move higher on growing optimism about its earnings prospects, which is reflected by its upgrade to a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy).
Unilever's recent 26% stock rise is driven by reduced price increases and organizational restructuring, enhancing efficiency and focusing on Power Brands. Expansion in emerging markets and potential Ice Cream segment spin-off could unlock further growth and profitability. Dividends and buybacks will continue to reward shareholders, but capital gains may be once again the main component in the coming months.
Unilever (UL) has recalled about 137,000 cases of single-serve Popsicle Jolly Rancher Frozen Confection Pop products in the U.S. because the products may contain milk.
When markets start to get choppy and volatile, such as today, investors need to find the right mix of stocks to keep in a portfolio to achieve a certain level of safety and predictability in their return profile. After the sharp sell-off and brief recovery in the S&P 500 after the so-called “carry trade,” investors were left with the concern of whether their capital would be safe in the stock market moving forward.
Despite a noticeable rebound in Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR)'s gross margins and an operating margin boost in the first half of 2024, investment bank Jefferies remains sceptical about the sustainability of these improvements. Analysts raised concerns about Unilever's future sales growth and free cash flow in a Tuesday broker note.
Unilever's new CEO has positively impacted the company, with a 20% share price increase and a return to positive volume growth. The company is separating its ice cream division valued at around $20B and plans to cut 1/3rd of office workers in the EU. We expect continued shareholder returns for Unilever in FY2024 and beyond due to improved growth and profitability prospects.
Unilever delivered solid top-line growth and margin expansion. Its ice cream spinoff plan is progressing.
Unilever (UL) American depositary receipts (ADRs) jumped 6% Thursday as the consumer-goods giant posted an earnings beat, showing it is weathering the inflation pain hitting consumers better than rival Nestle.