Unilever Q3 Underlying Sales Up 3.2% - Quick Facts

(RTTNews) - Anglo-Dutch consumer goods giant Unilever Plc (UL, ULVR.L, UN) reported an underlying sales growth of 3.2 percent in the third quarter of 2013, with emerging markets rising by 5.9%. For the quarter, turnover fell 6.5% to 12.5 billion euros, including a negative currency impact of 8.5%. The company said the acquisitions and disposals lowered turnover by 1.0%, reflecting the sale of non-core businesses.

Emerging markets growth slowed to 5.9%, while developed markets showed a progressive increase but still dropped by 0.3% in the third quarter. Volume growth remained positive in both emerging and developed markets in the quarter but price growth moderated as the company lapped prior year increases and took action to ensure that its brands remain competitive in key markets.

Personal Care continued to deliver healthy volume-led growth in the quarter ahead of its markets, with a good balance of growth across the sub-categories; whereas Foods performance continued to be held back by spreads which, despite showing a progressive improvement, remained negative reflecting weakness in the market and lower pricing in a benign commodity cost environment, Unilever added.