By Aimee Look

Unilever is scheduled to report first-quarter results on Thursday. Here is what you need to know.

SALES GROWTH FORECAST: The maker of Dove soap is expected to report 3.6% growth in underlying sales for the first quarter of 2026, according to company-compiled analyst estimates. The year prior, it reported 2.9% growth in underlying sales for the quarter. Turnover for the quarter is anticipated at 12.58 billion euros ($14.73 billion), according to analyst estimates.

EARNINGS FORECAST: For the first half of 2026, underlying operating profit is expected at 5.19 billion euros, according to analyst estimates. Underlying earnings per share is expected at around 1.6 euros for the half year.

Shares in the U.K. consumer-goods giant are down 13.15% this year to date.

WHAT TO WATCH

--Unilever struck a deal, which is expected to close by 2027, to combine its foods business with McCormick. The news has been poorly received by investors, as there is a large knowledge gap for European investors in understanding McCormick, Barclays analysts say in a note. The deal--set to a create a company with a combined value of over $65 billion including debt--leaves some investors reluctant to gain exposure to leveraged U.S.-listed food assets, the analysts said.

--In Unilever's own U.S. business, there may be worries about slower growth, which is raising concerns that Unilever might need to revise down its 4% to 6% organic sales growth guidance, Barclays adds. Unilever's American business slowed in the fourth quarter of 2025, with slower growth in its electrolyte Liquid IV brand, the analysts say.

--There are some concerns around Unilever's high exposure to emerging markets and Asia due to volatile geopolitics in the Middle East, Barclays analysts say. Chief Executive Fernando Fernandez signaled at a Barclays fireside chat that the company expected a good year in China, and volume growth of 5% in India.

Write to Aimee Look at aimee.look@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

April 29, 2026 05:42 ET (09:42 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2026 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.