Unilever said October 28 that it now expects at least 3% underlying volume growth in 2026 after third-quarter underlying sales increased 5.2%.
Quarterly turnover reached €13.3 billion, up 6.7% as reported. Underlying growth comprised a 2.9% increase in volume and 2.3% in prices, which the company linked to higher commodity costs.
Home Care underlying sales rose 9.1%, Personal Care increased 6.3% and Beauty & Wellbeing gained 5.7%. Foods grew just 0.1%, with lower volume partly offset by pricing.
North American underlying sales declined 0.7% as strength in Personal Care and Beauty was offset by Wellbeing and Foods. Emerging markets grew 9.5% on the underlying measure.
Unilever retained its annual underlying sales-growth range of 4%–6% and forecast a modest improvement in underlying operating margin from 20% in 2025. It expects second-half underlying sales growth of about 5%.
The quarterly dividend was set at €0.4664 per share, unchanged from the second quarter and 3% higher than a year earlier.
Source: Unilever, Third-Quarter 2026 Trading Statement, October 28.