Unilever reported a rise in underlying sales growth for the third quarter, as it hones in on its core brands amid changing consumer trends. The U.K. consumer-goods company behind brands like Dove soap and Hellmann's mayonnaise had a recovery in China, and overall underlying sales growth of 3.9% for the third quarter. Some analysts pointed out North America as a bright spot for the company, where underlying sales grew 5.5% on quarter. Here is a selection of analysts comments:

Unilever's Power Brands Need to Take Spotlight After Ice-Cream Demerger

0745 GMT - Unilever's power brands are going to need to hold their own if the ice-cream demerger is actually going to change anything for the company, Robinhood U.K. lead analyst Dan Lane writes. Focusing in on the U.S. and India, as well as digital commerce, will make a new chapter for the company if it can boost volume growth and cushion margins, he says. Meanwhile, the government shutdown-caused delay for its ice-cream spinoff might be annoying to investors who wanted it out of their portfolio, he adds. Shares are down 0.1% at 46.47 pounds. (aimee.look@wsj.com)

Unilever's U.S. Growth Fueled by E-Commerce

1025 GMT - Unilever is growing faster in the U.S. than in other parts of the world thanks to its exposure to fast-growing segments in key categories and specific channels such as e-commerce, the company's Chief Executive Fernando Fernandez tells reporters. Its exposure to e-commerce in the U.S. has yielded significant growth, specifically through platforms like Walmart's website and Amazon.com, he says. The company has also been gaining market share in its healthcare and hair-care product categories in the U.S., he adds. The company's fastest-growing customers in the U.S. are Amazon, Walmart and Dollar General, which shows that the portfolio is still attractive to cash-strapped consumers, he says. Shares are up 1.3% at 47.13 pounds. (aimee.look@wsj.com)

Unilever Puts European Food Brands on the Block in Portfolio Slim-Down

1044 GMT - As Unilever looks to shed some of its food brands and sharpen its focus, it is looking to dispose of some of its local European brands, the company's Chief Executive Fernando Fernandez says on a call with reporters. The U.K. consumer-goods company is looking to reduce its portfolio of food brands, offloading businesses that generate combined sales of around 1 billion euros, most of it for local brands in European markets, he says. Unilever sold Dutch food company The Vegetarian Butcher to Vivera in March. Shares rise 1.5% to 47.21 pounds. (aimee.look@wsj.com)

North America Was a Star in Unilever's Third-Quarter Earnings

1130 GMT - North America was a standout for Unilever's third quarter, Barclays says. The print highlights the company's ability to tap into innovation and a premiumization strategy, which aims to boost a product's appeal by emphasizing its quality or exclusivity, despite a tricky consumer backdrop, analysts at Barclays write. They say that as expected, the developed markets progress was strong, despite volatility for emerging markets. Latin America and India remained drags on the consumer-staple company's performance, the analysts write. Shares are up 1.6% at 47.29 pounds. (aimee.look@wsj.com)

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 23, 2025 08:22 ET (12:22 GMT)

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