Unilever lifts FY guidance on stronger Q3 volume growth

28th Oct 2026 08:46

(Sharecast News) - Consumer goods giant Unilever upgraded its full‑year guidance on Wednesday after delivering another quarter of solid volume‑led growth, with underlying sales up 5.2% and turnover rising 6.7% to €13.3bn.

Unilever now expects at least 3% underlying volume growth for FY26 and underlying sales growth of around 5% in the second half, alongside a modest improvement in operating margins versus last year.

Growth in the quarter was driven by strong performances across beauty and wellbeing, personal care and home care, while its foods unit remained broadly flat as softer developed‑market retail demand offset emerging‑market strength.

Emerging markets continued to lead overall momentum, with double‑digit gains in India, Turkey, Vietnam and Pakistan and high‑single‑digit growth across Latin America and South East Asia.

Unilever also said the planned combination of its foods business with McCormick remained on track, with regulatory filings progressing well and closure expected to take place following shareholder and regulatory approvals.

The FTSE 100-listed group also reiterated its capital allocation priorities, highlighting continued investment in growth and productivity, selective portfolio reshaping and shareholder returns. Uniever set its quarterly dividend at €0.4664, up 3% year‑on‑year.

As of 0845 GMT, Unilever shares were down 2.64% at 4,763.50p.

Reporting by Iain Gilbert at Sharecast.com

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