The household goods giant saw off a £115billion bid from Kraft-Heinz with promises to deliver more value to shareholders and implement a new growth strategy.
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Unilever reject Kraft Heinz multi-BILLION takeover 1769459905AbhGpxr9
These are challenging times, but chief executive Paul Polman is doing a reasonably good job
Robert Waldschmidt, head of consumer research at brokers Liberum, is more bullish than many, predicting sales growth of 4 per cent in Thursday’s second-quarter results, rising to 6.6 per cent in food and refreshments.
Unilever, whose ice cream brands include Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s ice creams, has been helped by Easter falling into the quarter this year, he said: “These are challenging times, but chief executive Paul Polman is doing a reasonably good job.”
Martin Deboo, equity analyst at Jefferies, predicted stronger performance in the second half as growth tops 5 per cent in the third and fourth quarters, with margins also rising: “Unilever is a relative bright spot for us.”
He said the firm will be helped by its decision to hive off its slow-growing margarine spreads business, which includes Flora: “Pride and hurt over the failed takeover bid should continue to work in shareholders’ favour.”