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Unilever PLC ($UL) Stock Forecast: Up 5.2% Today

Morpher AI identified a bullish signal. The stock price may continue to rise based on the momentum of the good news.

What is Unilever PLC?

Asset UL (Unilever) is a multinational consumer goods company known for brands like Dove soap and Hellmann's condiments. Today, the stock experienced a strong bullish movement.

Why is Unilever PLC going up?

UL stock is up 5.2% on Jul 25, 2024 17:19

  • Second-quarter underlying sales for Unilever showed an increase, falling short of analyst projections due to challenges in regaining customers unhappy with price hikes.
  • Despite missing sales expectations, Unilever's growth in underlying volume sales surpassed forecasts, reflecting favorable consumer feedback on their products.
  • Unilever's stock saw an upward trend following the announcement of a spinoff plan for its ice cream division and a significant earnings outperformance.
  • The market responded favorably to Unilever's enhanced profitability, as demonstrated by growth in adjusted EPS and sales figures, illustrating the company's agility in responding to shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics.

UL Price Chart

UL News

Nestlé lowers full-year sales growth outlook

NESTLÉ reported half-year sales growth below analysts'' forecast on Thursday and lowered its full-year organic sales growth outlook to at least 3 percent from about 4 percent previously. The world''s biggest packaged food company said prices had come down faster than expected, prompting it to change its outlook. The maker of KitKat bars, Nespresso coffee and Maggi seasoning managed to increase its volumes amid worries that price hikes would alienate shoppers. Price hikes across the sector have moderated after years of spiking prices to preserve profits. Companies from Unilever to Nestlé have flagged they will prioritize regaining lost sales volumes after cost-conscious consumers turned to cheaper brands. Nestlé''s real internal growth, a sales volume metric, grew 0.1 percent in the first half of 2024, while analysts expected it to shrink by 0.5 percent. The Swiss company again hiked its prices by 2 percent, less than the 3 percent expected by analysts, marking a continued slowdown in price hikes.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/07/26/business/foreign-business/nestle-lowers-full-year-sales-growth-outlook/1959920

News Article Image Nestlé lowers full-year sales growth outlook

Unilever Q2 underlying sales growth misses expectations

UNILEVER reported worse than expected underlying quarterly sales on Thursday after it was unable to win back shoppers it had alienated in recent years with higher prices. The maker of Dove soap and Hellmann''s condiments reported a 3.9 percent rise in second-quarter underlying sales, missing an average analyst forecast of a 4.2 percent increase in a company-compiled consensus. Underlying price growth for the quarter was 1 percent, behind market expectations, but underlying volume sales growth ran ahead of estimates at 2.9 percent. "There is much to do, but we remain focused on transforming Unilever into a consistently higher performing business," CEO Hein Schumacher said in a statement. The company maintained its underlying sales growth forecast of 3 percent to 5 percent, mostly driven by volume. Underlying operating margin for the year is expected to be at least 18 percent, it said. Underlying operating profit rose 17 percent to 6.1 billion euros ($6.61 billion) for the six months to June while the underlying operating margin widened 250 basis points to 19.

https://www.manilatimes.net/2024/07/26/business/foreign-business/unilever-q2-underlying-sales-growth-misses-expectations/1959916

News Article Image Unilever Q2 underlying sales growth misses expectations

Unilever PLC''s Meteoric Rise: Unpacking the 19% Surge in Just 3 Months

Unilever PLC''s Meteoric Rise: Unpacking the 19% Surge in Just 3 Months

https://www.gurufocus.com/news/2481859/unilever-plcs-meteoric-rise-unpacking-the-19-surge-in-just-3-months

News Article Image Unilever PLC''s Meteoric Rise: Unpacking the 19% Surge in Just 3 Months

Unilever Soars on Earnings Beat, Ben & Jerry''s Spinoff Plan

Unilever American depositary receipts (ADRs) jumped Thursday after the company posted a first-half earnings beat, offered a lofty operating margin target for the year, and said its spinoff of its ice cream division was on track to be completed by the end of 2025.

https://www.investopedia.com/unilever-soars-on-earnings-beat-ben-and-jerry-s-spinoff-plan-8683395

News Article Image Unilever Soars on Earnings Beat, Ben & Jerry''s Spinoff Plan

Unilever Boasts Improved Profitability: 'Power Brands Led Gross Margin Expansion,' CEO Says - Unilever ( NYSE:UL )

On Thursday, Unilever plc UL reported first-half adjusted EPS of 1.67 euros ( $1.74 ) , up from 1.39 euros a year ago. The British multinational fast-moving consumer goods company reported sales of 31.12 billion euros, up 2.3% year-over-year ( underlying growth of 4.1% ) .

https://www.benzinga.com/news/earnings/24/07/39959838/unilever-boasts-improved-profitability-power-brands-led-gross-margin-expansion-ceo-says

News Article Image Unilever Boasts Improved Profitability: 'Power Brands Led Gross Margin Expansion,' CEO Says - Unilever  ( NYSE:UL )

Unilever PLC Price History

16.03.2024 - UL Stock was down 0.4%

  • Unilever (UL) witnessed a significant downturn in its stock price today.
  • The stock received an upgrade from a "hold" to a "buy" rating, signaling a positive outlook.
  • There are concerns regarding changing consumer trends in India and a slowdown in revenue and profit growth for Unilever.
  • Uncertainty among investors might have been fueled by allegations of the Science Based Targets initiative (SBTi) potentially relaxing standards under industry pressure.

27.05.2024 - UL Stock was down 0.8%

  • Unilever's execution of a share buy-back strategy may have initially signaled confidence in the company, but the market reaction could suggest concerns or uncertainties among investors about the effectiveness of this move in boosting shareholder value.
  • The appointment of a new CFO at Jubilant Ingrevia, a separate entity, may have inadvertently drawn attention away from Unilever, potentially impacting investor sentiment towards UL stock.
  • The co-founders of Ben & Jerry's, a subsidiary of Unilever, expressing confidence in the resilience of their ice cream business despite the introduction of weight-loss drugs like Ozempic could have led to mixed reactions in the market, possibly contributing to the bearish movement in UL stock.
  • Esi Eggleston Bracey's innovative approach as the CMO of Unilever, focusing on transformation and growth, might have raised expectations among investors, and any perceived gap between strategy and execution could have influenced the negative market sentiment towards UL today.

01.06.2024 - UL Stock was down 0.6%

  • Unilever (NYSE: UL) was downgraded from a buy rating to a hold rating, which may have influenced the bearish movement.
  • The shift in market sentiment towards Unilever could have been influenced by the analyst downgrade despite the company's share buy-back strategy to enhance investor confidence.
  • The positive overall market performance, as evidenced by significant gains in the BSE Sensex, may have magnified Unilever's underperformance compared to other top-valued firms, leading to a bearish trend in the stock.

25.06.2024 - UL Stock was up 5.2%

  • Second-quarter underlying sales for Unilever showed an increase, falling short of analyst projections due to challenges in regaining customers unhappy with price hikes.
  • Despite missing sales expectations, Unilever's growth in underlying volume sales surpassed forecasts, reflecting favorable consumer feedback on their products.
  • Unilever's stock saw an upward trend following the announcement of a spinoff plan for its ice cream division and a significant earnings outperformance.
  • The market responded favorably to Unilever's enhanced profitability, as demonstrated by growth in adjusted EPS and sales figures, illustrating the company's agility in responding to shifting consumer preferences and market dynamics.

25.06.2024 - UL Stock was up 6.1%

  • Unilever's strong bullish movement today can be attributed to its impressive first-half earnings report and the positive market sentiment surrounding the company.
  • Despite consumer pressure affecting sales, Unilever's focus on high-margin products and efficiency benefits from selling premium brands contributed to a 7% increase in share price.
  • The company's defense of price rises, citing carry-over pricing from a period of higher inflation and improved profit margins, reassured investors and boosted confidence in Unilever's financial performance.
  • While competitors like Nestle are facing challenges with disappointing sales due to consumer wariness of high prices, Unilever's ability to navigate these issues and deliver strong earnings has positioned it favorably in the market, leading to the bullish movement in its stock price.

25.06.2024 - UL Stock was up 5.7%

  • Unilever's stock surged after the company reported a first-half earnings beat and announced plans for a spinoff of its ice cream division, boosting investor confidence.
  • The company's improved profitability, highlighted by a rise in adjusted EPS and sales growth across all segments, contributed to the positive market sentiment.
  • Unilever's optimistic guidance raise and progress on the Ben & Jerry's spinoff further fueled investor enthusiasm, driving the stock price higher.
  • Despite sales disappointments from competitors like Nestle, Unilever's strategic moves and strong financial performance seem to have resonated well with investors, leading to the bullish market movement.
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Disclaimer
Morpher is not liable for the content of the AI investment insights. Like most GPT-powered tools, these summaries may contain AI hallucinations and inaccurate information. Morpher is not presenting you with any investment advice. All investments involve risk, and the past performance of a security, industry, sector, market, or financial product does not guarantee future results or returns. Investors are fully responsible for any investment decisions they make. Such decisions should be based solely on an evaluation of their financial circumstances, investment objectives, risk tolerance, and liquidity needs. These summaries do not constitute investment advice.