Snapshot from Aug 14, 2026 at 07:00 UTC. For live data and tracking: View Live
Events / Business / Unilever best sales in decade
Business earnings report

Unilever best sales in decade

Analysis based on 8 articles · First reported Jul 28, 2026 · Last updated Jul 28, 2026

Sentiment
40
Attention
3
Articles
8
Market Impact
General
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Market Impact

Unilever shares surged 6% on the news, reflecting investor optimism about the strong volume growth and raised outlook. The joint venture with McCormick is expected to unlock significant value, though shareholder criticism may create some uncertainty.

consumer goods food
Event Summary

Unilever reported its best quarterly sales performance in over a decade, with second-quarter sales growth of 5.8% driven by a 5.5% volume increase. The company raised its full-year outlook, now expecting sales growth within its 4% to 6% medium-term guidance and around 3% underlying volume growth. Pre-tax profits rose 1.8% to €4.66 billion in the first half. The results come ahead of a £33.8 billion joint venture with McCormick & Company to spin off Unilever's food business, announced in March. Some shareholders criticized the deal for not being put to a vote. CEO Fernando Fernández highlighted the strong volume-led performance and progress on the joint venture. Analyst Emily Sawicz of RSM US noted Unilever's portfolio streamlining and investment in beauty and personal care brands.

Key Actions
80 Unilever reported strong sales
70 Unilever merge food unit McCormick & Company
30 Unilever faced shareholder criticism
20 Fernando Fernández commented on results
10 Emily Sawicz commented on strategy
Entities Involved
stock
Unilever
Unilever reported strong sales and raised its outlook, with shares rising 6%. The company is proceeding with a joint venture to spin off its food business, which is expected to unlock value.
Importance 100.0 Sentiment 60.0
stock
McCormick & Company
McCormick is partnering with Unilever in a joint venture to combine their food brands, creating a major food giant. The deal is progressing well.
Importance 70.0 Sentiment 50.0
per
Fernando Fernández
As Unilever CEO, Fernandez announced the strong results and expressed confidence in the joint venture with McCormick.
Importance 50.0 Sentiment 40.0
priv
RSM US
RSM US provided analyst commentary on Unilever's strategy, noting portfolio streamlining and investment in key brands.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
per
Emily Sawicz
Emily Sawicz, director and analyst at RSM US, commented on Unilever's competitive position and challenges ahead.
Importance 20.0 Sentiment 0.0
Relationships
Unilever investor ↔ McCormick & Company Unilever is divesting its Foods business to McCormick and will receive cash and a 9.9% equity stake in the combined comp
Unilever related ↔ Fernando Fernández
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