OUTLOOK

Our guidance for underlying sales growth in 2022 was previously at the top end of a range of 4.5% to 6.5%. We now expect underlying sales growth to be above that range, driven by price with some further pressure on volume.

We expect net material inflation for the year to remain high at around €4.6 billion with our forecast for the second half largely unchanged at around €2.6 billion. We will continue to invest in the health of our brands. In the first half, we increased absolute brand and marketing investment, and we will again invest competitively in marketing, R&D and capital expenditure in the second half. Our full year underlying operating margin expectation remains at 16%, which is within our guided range of 16% to 17%.

The medium-term macroeconomic and cost inflation outlooks are uncertain and volatile, but delivering growth remains our first priority. Against this backdrop, we continue to expect to improve margin in 2023 and 2024, through pricing, mix and savings.

FIRST HALF OPERATIONAL REVIEW

Our market context: High input cost inflation has been widespread across our markets, and it is expected to remain elevated in the second half. While Covid-19 restrictions have been eased in most markets, the lockdown in China affected consumers particularly in the second quarter.

In the majority of markets in which we operate, market growth was driven by price which had an impact on market volumes. Food service and out-of-home ice cream channels benefitted in markets which reopened after lockdowns in the prior year, although tourism has not yet returned to pre-Covid levels.

Unilever overall performance: Underlying sales growth in the first half was 8.1% with 9.8% from price and (1.6)% from volume. Growth was broad-based across all Divisions. Price has sequentially stepped up over the past two quarters, reaching 11.2% in the second quarter, which had, as expected, some negative impact on volume. This was more pronounced in Home Care, which was particularly exposed to rising input costs and took the highest pricing action, leading to underlying sales growth of 10.7%. Beauty & Personal Care grew 7.5%, driven by price and continued strong growth in Prestige Beauty and Health & Wellbeing, which is Unilever's vitamins, minerals and supplements business. Foods & Refreshment grew 7.3% with slightly negative volume at (0.9)%, although volumes were flat excluding ekaterra. Ice cream out-of-home and Unilever Food Solutions showed strong double-digit growth in the first half, compensating for lower growth of in-home ice cream.

Emerging markets grew by 10.0% with a 12.1% contribution from price and volume at (1.8)%, including an estimated adverse impact of around 70bps from the lockdowns in China. Pricing in Latin America was strong at 19.1% with volumes contracting by (4.8)%. South Asia grew strongly through both price and volume. Turkey delivered double-digit volume growth by managing dynamically through a high inflation environment. Developed markets increased by 5.5%, with 6.7% from price and (1.2)% from volume. North America grew 8.7%, helped by strong performances of dressings and our businesses in high growth areas such as Health & Wellbeing.

Turnover increased 14.9% to €29.6 billion, which included a currency impact of 5.6% and 0.6% from acquisitions net of disposals. Underlying operating profit was €5.0 billion, up 4.1% versus the prior year. Underlying operating margin declined by 180bps to 17.0%. Gross margin decreased by 210bps which reflected the very high inflation in input costs that was only partially mitigated by the strong pricing action and savings delivery. Brand and marketing investment was stepped up by €0.2 billion in constant exchange rates, which equated to a 40bps contribution to margin. Overheads increased by 10bps largely due to increased investment in business models with a higher overheads structure.

We completed the announced sale of our global tea business, ekaterra, on 1 July 2022. On 7 July, we completed the acquisition of a majority stake in Nutrafol, a leading provider of hair wellness products, which had been announced on 30 May 2022.

On 23 March, we commenced the first tranche of €750 million of the share buyback programme of up to €3 billion. As at 30 June, total consideration for the repurchase of shares was €648 million. This tranche completed on 22 July. It is our intention to launch a second €750 million tranche of our planned share buyback during the third quarter of 2022. This will be confirmed with a launch announcement in due course.

In January 2022, we announced a new, simpler, more category-focused operating model for Unilever organised around five Business Groups and a technology-driven backbone, Unilever Business Operations. The reorganisation is on schedule with the new structure in place on 1 July. We expect it to be achieved within existing restructuring plans, and to generate around €600 million of cost savings over two years, with the majority in 2023.

 

FIRST HALF OPERATIONAL REVIEW: DIVISIONS

 

	Second Quarter 2022				First Half 2022
(unaudited)	Turnover	USG	UVG	UPG	Turnover	USG	UVG	UPG	Change in underlying operating margin
	€bn	%	%	%	€bn	%	%	%	bps
Unilever	15.8	8.8	(2.1)	11.2	29.6	8.1	(1.6)	9.8	(180)
Beauty & Personal Care	6.4	8.0	(2.3)	10.5	12.2	7.5	(1.3)	9.0	(180)
Home Care	3.1	12.2	(3.8)	16.6	6.0	10.7	(3.4)	14.5	(200)
Foods & Refreshment	6.3	8.1	(1.2)	9.4	11.4	7.3	(0.9)	8.3	(170)

 

Beauty & Personal Care

Beauty & Personal Care underlying sales grew 7.5% with 9.0% from price and (1.3)% from volume. Strong price increases landed across most categories, and were particularly pronounced in Latin America, South Asia and Turkey.

Deodorants delivered double-digit growth, helped by continued premiumisation and strong innovations, such as the  72-hour protection technology launched with Rexona. Skin care grew low single-digit on the back of a strong prior year base, with strong growth of Pond's in India partially offset by a decline in China. Skin cleansing returned to growth, with Dove landing strong pricing and flat volume supported by the launch of premium innovations in North America. Overall skin cleansing volumes declined mid single-digit, particularly affected by the pricing in Europe and South Asia. Hair care grew mid single-digit, driven by India and North America, partially offset by declines in North Asia and Europe. Mid single-digit growth in oral care was driven by a strong performance in Indonesia with modest growth elsewhere. Prestige Beauty continued its double-digit growth momentum with Tatcha successfully launching in the United Kingdom and expanding in premium channels in China.

Underlying operating margin decreased 180bps as gross margin declined as a result of high input cost inflation.

Home Care

Home Care underlying sales grew 10.7% with 14.5% from price and (3.4)% from volume. Double-digit pricing landed across most geographies in response to very high increases in raw material costs.

Fabric cleaning continued its momentum, posting strong double-digit growth with marginal volume decline. The growth was broad-based across all formats, with strong contributions from OMO and Radiant. South Asia and Turkey achieved double-digit pricing and positive volumes, supported by the continuous development of the liquids market. Fabric enhancers grew mid single-digit with accelerated performance in the second quarter. Comfort continued its growth momentum in Brazil and China but faced declining markets in South-East Asia and Europe. Home & hygiene grew low single-digit with double-digit pricing offset by volume declines across most geographies. Household cleaner volumes declined as a result of a slowdown in consumers' disinfecting habits, while dishwash sales grew driven by India and South-East Asia.

Underlying operating margin declined 200bps driven by a substantial gross margin reduction partially offset by lower brand and marketing investment.

Foods & Refreshment

Foods & Refreshment underlying sales grew 7.3% with 8.3% from price and (0.9)% from volume. Pricing was broad-based and particularly high in dressings given the input cost increases.

Ice cream underlying sales grew high single-digit driven by strong growth in the out-of-home business which landed double-digit price and volume growth. Magnum and Cornetto continued their growth momentum supported by new variant innovations, while ice cream suffered from supply issues in the United States. In-home sales were slightly up, although volumes declined in Europe and North America where markets contracted as a result of some post-Covid channel switching by consumers. 

Foods also grew high single-digit with slightly negative volumes. Unilever Food Solutions, our food service business, landed strong double-digit growth and achieved sales above pre-Covid levels despite the severe China lockdown impact in the second quarter. In-home foods grew high single-digit driven by high pricing and marginally negative volumes, on the back of a strong comparator. Hellmann's delivered double-digit, price-driven growth, which was supported by its global purpose campaign "Turn nothing into something".

Underlying operating margin decreased 170bps predominantly driven by lower gross margin.

 

FIRST HALF OPERATIONAL REVIEW: GEOGRAPHICAL AREA

 

	Second Quarter 2022				First Half 2022
(unaudited)	Turnover	USG	UVG	UPG	Turnover	USG	UVG	UPG	Change in underlying operating margin
	€bn	%	%	%	€bn	%	%	%	bps
Unilever	15.8	8.8	(2.1)	11.2	29.6	8.1	(1.6)	9.8	(180)
Asia/AMET/RUB	7.1	9.0	(2.6)	11.9	13.7	9.0	(1.1)	10.2	(90)
The Americas	5.4	11.7	(1.7)	13.6	9.9	10.4	(1.4)	11.9	(200)
Europe	3.3	4.6	(1.8)	6.5	6.0	2.9	(2.9)	6.0	(320)

 

	Second Quarter 2022				First Half 2022
(unaudited)	Turnover	USG	UVG	UPG	Turnover	USG	UVG	UPG
	€bn	%	%	%	€bn	%	%	%
Emerging markets	9.1	10.5	(3.1)	14.0	17.4	10.0	(1.8)	12.1
Developed markets	6.7	6.6	(0.9)	7.6	12.2	5.5	(1.2)	6.7
North America	3.4	8.9	(0.5)	9.4	6.2	8.7	0.6	8.1
Latin America	2.0	16.8	(4.0)	21.7	3.7	13.4	(4.8)	19.1

Asia/AMET/RUB

Underlying sales grew 9.0% with 10.2% from price and (1.1)% from volume. China declined low single-digit with the strong start of the year being reversed in the second quarter due to the Covid lockdowns that particularly impacted Unilever Food Solutions and Beauty & Personal Care. South Asia continued its growth momentum with strong pricing and positive volumes. Growth accelerated in the second quarter, driven by the performance of Home Care and hair care. Indonesia grew high single-digit, after another quarter of price-driven growth, supported by strong performance of oral care, deodorants and scratch cooking aids, but overall volumes were still down, most notably in Home Care. Vietnam landed high pricing and positive volumes across all categories. We have announced that we will no longer invest in Russia, but we will continue providing the local population with basic products. Our Russian business represented around 1% of turnover and had a minor negative impact on the growth of the Group. Turkey posted very strong, broad-based growth across all categories, driven by both price and volume. In line with our treatment of other hyperinflationary countries, the underlying price growth in Turkey was capped from the second quarter.

Underlying operating margin declined 90bps as a result of lower gross margin due to higher input costs. This was partially offset by the turnover leverage benefit on brand and marketing investment as well as overheads.

The Americas

Underlying sales growth in North America was 8.7%, with 8.1% from price and 0.6% from volume. Double-digit growth in Beauty & Personal Care was driven by strong performance in deodorants and Health & Wellbeing, including high growth from Liquid IV. Prestige Beauty also continued its growth momentum, helped by consumers returning to the offline channels. Foods & Refreshment grew high single-digit, boosted by strong sales in dressings and out-of-home ice cream. Customer service challenges persisted in the second quarter, largely due to labour availability.

Latin America delivered underlying sales growth of 13.4%, with 19.1% from price and (4.8)% from volume. All Divisions delivered double-digit growth. In the context of high double-digit pricing, volumes declined in Brazil, Mexico and Chile, while volumes held up in Argentina.

Underlying operating margin decreased by 200bps primarily driven by lower gross margin and higher overheads.

Europe

Underlying sales grew 2.9% with price of 6.0% and (2.9)% from volume. Growth sequentially improved in the second quarter, helped by out-of-home ice cream sales as the channel re-opened. Unilever Food Solutions also posted strong double-digit growth with sales exceeding pre-Covid levels, driven by extended distribution and price growth. The United Kingdom, France and Germany posted low single-digit growth with pricing largely offset by volume declines.

Underlying operating margin declined 320bps driven largely by lower gross margin as higher input costs outweighed pricing.

 

ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS - FIRST HALF 2022

Finance costs and tax

Net finance costs increased by €74 million to €227 million in the first half of 2022. The increase was largely driven by a higher cost of debt on bonds and commercial papers as well as higher other interest costs. This was partially offset by an increase in finance income from higher cash balances and positive rate variances. The interest rate on average net debt increased to 1.9% from 1.4% in the prior year.

The underlying effective tax rate for H1 2022 increased to 24.4% from 21.9% in H1 2021 due to changes in profit mix and the lapping of favourable one-offs in the prior year. The effective tax rate for H1 2022 was 26.8% compared with 22.7% in H1 2021. The 2022 figure included tax costs related to the separation of the ekaterra business.

Joint ventures, associates and other income from non-current investments

Net profit from joint ventures and associates was €97 million, compared with €91 million in 2021. Other income from non-current investments was €27 million, slightly down versus prior year.

Earnings per share

Underlying earnings per share increased by 1.0%, including a positive impact of 4.9% from currency. Constant underlying earnings per share decreased by 3.9%. The decline was mainly driven by lower margin, higher tax and finance costs, partially offset by turnover growth and a reduction in the number of shares. Diluted earnings per share decreased 4.7% to €1.13.

Restructuring costs

Restructuring costs in the first half increased to €359 million, compared to €306 million in the prior year. For the full year, we expect restructuring costs of around €1 billion, including those linked to the implementation of the new operating model. From 2023, restructuring costs are anticipated to be around 1% of Group turnover.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow in the first half of 2022 was €2.2 billion, down from the €2.4 billion delivered in the first half of 2021.  This decrease was due to higher cash tax and increased capital expenditure, partially offset by improved operating profit and working capital.

Net debt

Closing net debt increased to €27.1 billion compared with €25.5 billion at 31 December 2021. The increase was driven by dividends paid, the share buyback programme and an adverse currency impact, partially offset by free cash flow delivery.

Pensions

Pension assets net of liabilities were in surplus of €5.0 billion at the end of June 2022 versus €3.0 billion as at 31 December 2021. The increase was primarily driven by lower liabilities as a result of increased interest rates in the European Union, the United Kingdom and the United States. This was partially offset by investment losses on pension assets reflecting the declines in equity and bond markets in the first half.

Finance and liquidity

During the first half, the following notes matured and were repaid:

•      February: €750 million 0.50% fixed rate notes, £350 million 1.125% fixed rate notes

•      March: $500 million 3.00% fixed rate notes

•      May: $850 million 2.20% fixed rate notes

 

The following notes were issued:

•      February: €500 million 0.75% fixed rate notes due February 2026, €650 million 1.25% fixed rate notes due February 2031, £300 million 2.125% fixed rate notes due February 2028

•      May: €650 million 1.75% fixed rate notes due November 2028; €850 million 2.25% fixed rate notes due May 2034

On 30 June 2022, Unilever had undrawn revolving 364-day bilateral credit facilities in aggregate of $7,215 million and €750 million with a 364-day term out.

Share buyback programme

On 10 February 2022, we announced a share buyback programme of up to €3 billion to be completed over 2022 and 2023. On 23 March 2022, we announced we would commence the first tranche of this buyback programme for an aggregate market value equivalent to €750 million. As at 30 June 2022, Unilever had repurchased 15,508,723 ordinary shares. Total consideration for the repurchase of shares was €648 million which is recorded within other reserves. The first tranche for an aggregate market value of €750 million completed on 22 July 2022. Between 23 March 2022 and 22 July 2022, a total of 17,802,472 Unilever PLC ordinary shares were purchased.

 

COMPETITION INVESTIGATIONS

As previously disclosed, Unilever is involved in a number of ongoing investigations by national competition authorities, including those of France, Portugal and South Africa. These proceedings and investigations are at various stages and concern a variety of product markets. Where appropriate, provisions are made and contingent liabilities disclosed in relation to such matters.

Ongoing compliance with competition laws is of key importance to Unilever. It is Unilever's policy to co-operate fully with competition authorities whenever questions or issues arise. In addition, the Group continues to reinforce and enhance its internal competition law training and compliance programme on an ongoing basis.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Certain discussions and analyses set out in this announcement include measures which are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) such as IFRS. We believe this information, along with comparable GAAP measurements, is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring our operating performance, ability to retire debt and invest in new business opportunities. Our management uses these financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating performance and value creation. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP. Wherever appropriate and practical, we provide reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures.

Unilever uses 'constant rate', and 'underlying' measures primarily for internal performance analysis and targeting purposes. We present certain items, percentages and movements, using constant exchange rates, which exclude the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate constant currency values by translating both the current and the prior period local currency amounts using the prior year average exchange rates into euro, except for the local currency of entities that operate in hyperinflationary economies. These currencies are translated into euros using the prior year closing exchange rate before the application of IAS 29. The table below shows exchange rate movements in our key markets.

	First half average rate in 2022	First half average rate in 2021
Brazilian Real (€1 = BRL)	5.538	6.492
Chinese Yuan (€1 = CNY)	7.083	7.800
Indian Rupee (€1 = INR)	83.337	88.365
Indonesia Rupiah (€1 = IDR)	15798	17231
Philippine Peso (€1 = PHP)	56.969	58.153
UK Pound Sterling (€1 = GBP)	0.842	0.868
US Dollar (€1 = US $)	1.094	1.206

Underlying sales growth (USG)

Underlying sales growth (USG) refers to the increase in turnover for the period, excluding any change in turnover resulting from acquisitions, disposals, changes in currency and price growth in excess of 26% in hyperinflationary economies. Inflation of 26% per year compounded over three years is one of the key indicators within IAS 29 to assess whether an economy is deemed to be hyperinflationary. We believe this measure provides valuable additional information on the underlying sales performance of the business and is a key measure used internally. The impact of acquisitions and disposals is excluded from USG for a period of 12 calendar months from the applicable closing date. Turnover from acquired brands that are launched in countries where they were not previously sold is included in USG as such turnover is more attributable to our existing sales and distribution network than the acquisition itself. The reconciliation of changes in the GAAP measure turnover to USG is provided in notes 3 and 4.

Underlying price growth (UPG)

Underlying price growth (UPG) is part of USG and means, for the applicable period, the increase in turnover attributable to changes in prices during the period. UPG therefore excludes the impact to USG due to (i) the volume of products sold; and (ii) the composition of products sold during the period. In determining changes in price we exclude the impact of price growth in excess of 26% per year in hyperinflationary economies as explained in USG above. The measures and the related turnover GAAP measure are set out in notes 3 and 4.

Underlying volume growth (UVG)

Underlying volume growth (UVG) is part of USG and means, for the applicable period, the increase in turnover in such period calculated as the sum of (i) the increase in turnover attributable to the volume of products sold; and (ii) the increase in turnover attributable to the composition of products sold during such period. UVG therefore excludes any impact on USG due to changes in prices. The measures and the related turnover GAAP measure are set out in notes 3 and 4.

Non-underlying items

Several non-GAAP measures are adjusted to exclude items defined as non-underlying due to their nature and/or frequency of occurrence.

•      Non-underlying items within operating profit are: gains or losses on business disposals, acquisition and disposal related costs, restructuring costs, impairments and other items within operating profit classified here due to their nature and frequency.

•      Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit are: net monetary gain/(loss) arising from hyperinflationary economies and significant and unusual items in net finance cost, share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates and taxation.

•      Non-underlying items are: both non-underlying items within operating profit and those non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit.

 

Underlying operating profit (UOP) and underlying operating margin (UOM)

Underlying operating profit and underlying operating margin mean operating profit and operating margin before the impact of non-underlying items within operating profit. Underlying operating profit represents our measure of segment profit or loss as it is the primary measure used for making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the segments. The reconciliation of operating profit to underlying operating profit is as follows:

€ million	First Half
(unaudited)	2022	2021
Operating profit	4,500	4,426
Non-underlying items within operating profit (see note 2)	544	421
Underlying operating profit	5,044	4,847
Turnover	29,623	25,791
Operating margin (%)	15.2	17.2
Underlying operating margin (%)	17.0	18.8

Underlying effective tax rate

The underlying effective tax rate is calculated by dividing taxation excluding the tax impact of non-underlying items by profit before tax excluding the impact of non-underlying items and share of net (profit)/loss of joint ventures and associates. This measure reflects the underlying tax rate in relation to profit before tax excluding non-underlying items before tax and share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates. Tax impact on non-underlying items within operating profit is the sum of the tax on each non-underlying item, based on the applicable country tax rates and tax treatment. This is shown in the following table:

€ million	First Half
(unaudited)	2022	2021
Taxation	1,143	972
Tax impact of:
Non-underlying items within operating profit(a)	102	97
Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit(a)	(63)	(34)
Taxation before tax impact of non-underlying items	1,182	1,035
Profit before taxation	4,359	4,369
Non-underlying items within operating profit before tax(a)	544	421
Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit before tax(a)	38	29
Share of net (profit)/loss of joint ventures and associates	(97)	(91)
Profit before tax excluding non-underlying items before tax and share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates	4,844	4,728
Underlying effective tax rate	24.4%	21.9%

^(a)         Refer to note 2 for further details on these items.

 

Underlying earnings per share

Underlying earnings per share (underlying EPS) is calculated as underlying profit attributable to shareholders' equity divided by the diluted average number of ordinary shares. In calculating underlying profit attributable to shareholders' equity, net profit attributable to shareholders' equity is adjusted to eliminate the post-tax impact of non-underlying items. This measure reflects the underlying earnings for each share unit of the Group. Refer to note 6 for reconciliation of net profit attributable to shareholders' equity to underlying profit attributable to shareholders equity.

Constant underlying EPS

Constant underlying earnings per share (constant underlying EPS) is calculated as underlying profit attributable to shareholders' equity at constant exchange rates and excluding the impact of both translational hedges and price growth in excess of 26% per year in hyperinflationary economies divided by the diluted average number of ordinary shares. This measure reflects the underlying earnings for each share unit of the Group in constant exchange rates.

The reconciliation of underlying profit attributable to shareholders' equity to constant underlying earnings attributable to shareholders' equity and the calculation of constant underlying EPS is as follows:

€ million	First Half
(unaudited)	2022	2021
Underlying profit attributable to shareholders' equity (see note 6)	3,440	3,488
Impact of translation from current to constant exchange rates and translational hedges	(92)	8
Impact of price growth in excess of 26% per year in hyperinflationary economies	(66)	-
Constant underlying earnings attributable to shareholders' equity	3,282	3,496
Diluted average number of share units (millions)	2,566.2	2,627.2
Constant underlying EPS (€)	1.28	1.33

Net debt

Net debt is a measure that provides valuable additional information on the summary presentation of the Group's net financial liabilities and is a measure in common use elsewhere. Net debt is defined as the excess of total financial liabilities, excluding trade payables and other current liabilities, over cash, cash equivalents and other current financial assets, excluding trade and other current receivables, and non-current financial asset derivatives that relate to financial liabilities.

The reconciliation of total financial liabilities to net debt is as follows:

€ million	As at 30 June  2022	As at 31 December 2021	As at 30 June 2021
(unaudited)
Total financial liabilities	(33,961)	(30,133)	(27,542)
Current financial liabilities	(9,032)	(7,252)	(6,720)
Non-current financial liabilities	(24,929)	(22,881)	(20,822)
Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet	5,411	3,415	4,182
Cash and cash equivalents as per cash flow statement	5,274	3,387	4,072
Add: bank overdrafts deducted therein	157	106	110
Less: cash and cash equivalents held for sale(a)	(20)	(78)	-
Other current financial assets	1,435	1,156	885
Non-current financial asset derivatives that relate to financial liabilities	60	52	33
Net debt	(27,055)	(25,510)	(22,442)

^(a)         Cash and cash equivalents held for sale of €20 million are net of bank overdrafts of €6 million.

 

Free cash flow (FCF)

Within the Unilever Group, free cash flow (FCF) is defined as cash flow from operating activities, less income taxes paid, net capital expenditure and net interest payments. It does not represent residual cash flows entirely available for discretionary purposes; for example, the repayment of principal amounts borrowed is not deducted from FCF. FCF reflects an additional way of viewing our liquidity that we believe is useful to investors because it represents cash flows that could be used for distribution of dividends, repayment of debt or to fund our strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, if any.

 

The reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to FCF is as follows:

€ million	First Half
(unaudited)	2022	2021
Cash flow from operating activities	4,344	3,961
Income tax paid	(1,295)	(917)
Net capital expenditure	(593)	(386)
Net interest paid	(217)	(227)
Free cash flow	2,239	2,431
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities	(432)	(570)
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities	(924)	(4,097)

OTHER INFORMATION

This document represents Unilever's half-yearly report for the purposes of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) issued by the UK Financial Conduct Authority (DTR 4.2) and the Dutch Act on Financial Supervision, section 5:25d (8)/(9) (Half-yearly financial reports). In this context: (i) the condensed set of financial statements can be found on pages 11 to 23; (ii) pages 2 to 10 comprise the interim management report; and (iii) the Directors' responsibility statement can be found on page 23. This half-yearly report has not been reviewed in accordance with ISRE 2410 by our external auditors. No material related party transactions have taken place in the first six months of the year.

EXTERNAL AUDIT TENDER

The Board of Unilever announces its intention to reappoint KPMG as its external auditor for the financial year end 31 December 2024, subject to shareholder approval at its 2024 Annual General Meeting.

This follows an extensive competitive tender process, which was overseen by the Company's Audit Committee. The selection to re-appoint KPMG was unanimously recommended by the Committee and has been approved by the Unilever Board.

Adrian Hennah, Chair of the Audit Committee, commented "We conducted a thorough and competitive tender process. Our decision to re-appoint KPMG was based on their strong performance during the tender process across a comprehensive set of criteria and our satisfaction with their effectiveness as our current auditor. We would also like to extend our thanks to all firms who participated in the thorough tender process."

PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS

On pages 46 to 50 of our 2021 Annual Report and Accounts we set out our assessment of the principal risk issues that would face the business under the headings: brand preference; portfolio management; climate change; plastic packaging; customer; talent; supply chain; safe and high quality products; systems and information; business transformation; economic and political instability; treasury and tax; ethical; and legal and regulatory. In our view, the nature and potential impact of such risks remain essentially unchanged as regards our performance over the second half of 2022.

 

This announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Words such as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks', 'believes', 'vision', or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance or results, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding the Unilever Group's (the 'Group') emissions reduction targets and other climate change related matters (including actions, potential impacts and risks associated therewith). These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance or outcomes.

Because these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause actual results to differ materially are: Unilever's global brands not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever's ability to innovate and remain competitive; Unilever's investment choices in its portfolio management; the effect of climate change on Unilever's business; Unilever's ability to find sustainable solutions to its plastic packaging; significant changes or deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects; economic, social and political risks and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and managing regulatory, tax and legal matters.

These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based.

Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2021 and the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2021.

 

ENQUIRIES

 

Media: Media Relations Team			Investors: Investor Relations Team
UK	+44 78 2527 3767	lucila.zambrano@unilever.com	+44 20 7822 6830	investor.relations@unilever.com
or	+44 77 7999 9683	JSibun@tulchangroup.com
NL	+31 10 217 4844	els-de.bruin@unilever.com
or	+31 62 375 8385	marlous-den.bieman@unilever.com

There will be a web cast of the results presentation available at:

www.unilever.com/investor-relations/results-and-presentations/latest-results

 

CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(unaudited)

€ million	First Half
	2022	2021	Increase/ (Decrease)
			Current rates	Constant rates
Turnover	29,623	25,791	14.9%	10.2%
Operating profit	4,500	4,426	1.7%	(1.8%)
Which includes non-underlying items credits/(charges) of	(544)	(421)
Net finance costs	(227)	(153)
Finance income	105	68
Finance costs	(354)	(216)
Pensions and similar obligations	22	(5)
Non-underlying item net monetary gain/(loss) arising from hyperinflationary economies	(38)	(29)
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates	97	91
Other income/(loss) from non-current investments and associates	27	34
Profit before taxation	4,359	4,369	(0.2%)	(3.4%)
Taxation	(1,143)	(972)
Which includes tax impact of non-underlying items of	39	63
Net profit	3,216	3,397	(5.3%)	(7.9%)
Attributable to:
Non-controlling interests	311	276
Shareholders' equity	2,905	3,121	(6.9%)	(9.1%)
Combined earnings per share
Basic earnings per share (euros)	1.14	1.19	(4.7%)	(6.9%)
Diluted earnings per share (euros)	1.13	1.19	(4.7%)	(7.0%)