Unilever Q1
This article was originally published in The Rose Sheet
Executive Summary
Americas region generated underlying growth of 6.8% to $3.93 bil., Unilever reports during a May 6 earnings call. The performance was boosted by the home and personal care segment in the U.S., specifically deodorants, hair care and personal wash, as well as strength of the prestige unit, the firm says. Operating profit in the Americas region advanced 7.2% at constant rates to $599 mil. Unilever's personal care segment had underlying sales growth of 8.8% in Q1 to $3.27 bil.; the strongest growth in the sector in six quarters, company notes. Sales were driven by personal wash brands in North America and Asia, deodorant brands Axe, Rexona and Dove, and continued momentum of prestige sector. The firm also announces it has appointed a team to conduct a review of Unilever's corporate structure, with non-executive chairman Antony Burgmans leading the effort. A largescale management reorganization was announced in February (1"The Rose Sheet" Feb. 14, 2005, p. 6)...