Key market performance strong! Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR (UL.US) Q4 sales exceed expectations, 2026 performance guidance robust.

Thanks to strong performance of high-end beauty and home care products in key markets such as the United States and India, Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR's sales in the fourth quarter of 2025 exceeded market expectations. The financial report shows that Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR's Q4 sales were 12.6 billion euros, a decrease of 2.7% year-on-year; underlying sales increased by 4.2%, higher than analysts' expectations of 4%; quarterly sales volume increased by 2.1%, with prices increasing by 2.0%. By department: the Beauty and Health sector had sales of 3.2 billion euros; underlying sales increased by 4.7%, with sales volume increasing by 2.8% and prices increasing by 1.8%. The Personal Care sector had sales of 3.3 billion euros; underlying sales increased by 5.1%, with sales volume increasing by 0.6% and prices increasing by 4.5%. The Home Care sector had sales of 2.8 billion euros; underlying sales increased by 4.7%, with sales volume increasing by 4.0% and prices increasing by 0.6%. The Food sector had sales of 3.3 billion euros; underlying sales increased by 2.3%, with sales volume increasing by 1.3% and prices increasing by 1.0%. This is the first financial report after the split of Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR, including the ice cream business including Ben & Jerry's, and also coincides with the upcoming one-year anniversary of CEO Fernando Fernandez taking office. Fernandez is continuing the transformation plan started by his predecessor, streamlining this large conglomerate by divesting brands that do not have international scale and focusing on driving growth of the company's most successful products. Investors have welcomed this strategy, with Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR's stock price up over 12% year-to-date as of Wednesday's close. Looking ahead, Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR expects underlying sales growth in 2026 to be at the "lower end" of its long-term target range of 4% to 6%, in line with analyst expectations. The company also announced a 1.5 billion euro (approximately 1.8 billion US dollars) share buyback program starting in the second quarter. Analysts' opinions are divided on whether Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR can continue its positive momentum. The Barclays analyst team led by Warren Ackman said in a report that growth in emerging markets - including India, Indonesia, Brazil, and China - may occur simultaneously. However, Deutsche Bank Aktiengesellschaft analyst Tom Seeks recently downgraded its rating on Unilever PLC Sponsored ADR's stock to "hold," stating that the company is already at "historical highs" compared to its peers and has limited room for future growth.