12th Feb 2026 10:23
(Alliance News) - Unilever PLC on Thursday said its performance remained "competitive" in 2025 despite lower turnover, while recent spin-off Magnum Ice Creams Co NV reported a subdued start to solo trading.
London-based consumer goods seller Unilever spun off Magnum Ice Cream Co NV back in December, following delays to Magnum's New York listing due to the US government shutdown.
Unilever shares were down 0.7% to 5,283.00 pence on Thursday morning in London. Magnum was down 14% in London and 13% in its primary venue Amsterdam, to 1,230.00p and EUR14.19 respectively. It was down 15% to USD16.85 pre-market in New York.
"In 2025 we became a simpler, sharper, and faster Unilever, delivering our commitment to volume growth, positive mix and strong gross margin," commented Unilever Chief Executive Fernando Fernandez.
Unilever's full-year pretax profit edged up to EUR8.69 billion from EUR8.37 billion, though underlying operating profit was down 1.1% on-year to EUR10.1 billion, "as currency headwinds more than offset strong operational delivery", according to the firm.
Turnover fell to EUR50.50 billion from EUR52.48 billion a year earlier. The comparator excludes Ice Cream revenue. When adding the latter, Unilever's revenue totalled EUR60.76 billion in 2024.
Unilever has declared a fourth-quarter dividend of EUR0.4664, up from 38 pence, about EUR0.43, a year earlier. The company changed its reporting currency to euros from sterling at the start of 2024.
Also on Thursday, Unilever said it will launch a share buyback worth up to EUR1.5 billion, starting the second quarter of 2026.
The company forecast "modest" operating margin improvement in the year ahead, and cited a "slower market" as it guided underlying sales growth at the lower end of its target range. It expects the measure to remain within its multi-year guide range of 4% to 6%, with at least 2% underlying volume growth.
CEO Fernandez added: "We have set clear priorities for growth - building a brand portfolio for the future, with more Beauty, Wellbeing and Personal Care, prioritising premium segments and digital commerce, and anchoring our growth in the US and India.
"Despite slowing markets, our sharper focus and disciplined execution underpin our confidence for 2026 and beyond."
Meanwhile at Magnum, annual revenue remained flat at EUR7.9 billion, though the Amsterdam-based ice cream maker's said sales grew 4.2% on an organic basis from the year prior.
Operating profit declined to EUR599 million from EUR764 million, for a margin of 7.6%, compressed from 9.6%. Adjusted earnings before interest, tax, depreciation and amortisation fell to EUR1.26 billion from EUR1.34 billion.
Chief Executive Peter Ter Kulve maintained that Magnum's performance was "solid" and that the firm had beat the wider ice cream market on an organic basis, amid "a complex company separation".
"Every region contributed to growth, with market share gains across most key markets, including the US, our largest market...the fundamentals of the business are sound."
In the year ahead, Magnum is targeting 3% to 5% organic sales growth, and underlying margin improvement.
By Holly Munks, Alliance News reporter
Comments and questions to [email protected]
Copyright 2026 Alliance News Ltd. All Rights Reserved.
Related Shares:
Unilever