Unilever Brightens Volume Outlook as Emerging Markets Surge — Update

By Aimee Look

Unilever brightened its volume outlook for the full year, led by third-quarter gains in its home care category and in emerging markets.

The maker of Dove soap and Axe deodorant booked turnover of 13.3 billion euros, equivalent to $14.80 billion. Underlying sales growth was 5.2% for the third quarter, and volumes grew 2.9%.

It lifted its outlook for the full year, expecting underlying volume to grow by 3% or more. The company had said in July it expected around 3% underlying volume growth.

Unilever also said it now expects underlying sales growth in the second half of the year at around 5% compared with previous guidance of between 4% and 5%.

The company's home care unit, housing brands like Cif, had blockbuster underlying sales growth of 9.1% for the quarter. Its said growth was led by emerging markets, with weaker sales growth and volumes in its developed markets.

Emerging markets posted underlying sales growth of 9.5% for the quarter. Unilever touted strong volumes, with double-digit growth in India, Turkey, Vietnam, and Pakistan. Meanwhile, in North America, growth in its personal care and beauty units was offset by declines in its wellbeing and foods units, it said.

Chief Executive Officer Fernando Fernandez has been leading the consumer goods giant through a complete overhaul, most prominently in the split of its food business. The combination of Unilever Foods with spices and seasoning maker McCormick is expected to close in 2027 and create a company valued at more than $65 billion, including debt.

Through the split, Unilever is shedding its previous image of being a sprawling mayonnaise-to-makeup conglomerate. Analysts are starting to see consumer beauty company L'Oreal as its close comparator, and the company is leaning into prestige brands like Dermalogica, K18 and Hourglass.

Write to Aimee Look at aimee.look@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 28, 2026 04:36 ET (08:36 GMT)