London, Jan 24, 2026, 08:32 GMT — Market has closed.
- Unilever shares ended Friday 1% higher at 4,864 pence, outpacing a mostly flat UK market.
- Barclays raised its Unilever target price to 5,700p and maintained a buy rating, MarketScreener reports.
- Investors will turn to Unilever’s full-year results due mid-February and watch for new developments in the Magnum/Ben & Jerry’s dispute.
Unilever PLC shares (ULVR.L) closed Friday up 1% at 4,864 pence. Investors reacted to a new broker target increase and followed news on the group’s former ice cream division.
Timing is key. Staples stocks have been a safe haven amid volatile trading, and Unilever is gearing up to deliver its next big market update—one that will reveal if pricing, volumes, and margins are staying steady.
A fresh complication has emerged beyond the core operations: the Ben & Jerry’s dispute, now part of the spun-off Magnum Ice Cream Company, continues to churn out court filings and sharply worded statements. This saga risks becoming a headache for anyone still invested.
Unilever’s shares fluctuated between 4,803 pence and 4,864 pence on Friday, closing near the session’s peak. Trading volume edged above 2.3 million shares, based on figures from SharePrices.com. (Shareprices)
Barclays analyst Warren Ackerman bumped Unilever’s target price to 5,700 pence, up from 5,500 pence, while sticking to a buy rating, MarketScreener reported. The target price reflects where brokers expect the stock to trade over about a year. (MarketScreener)
Markets stayed on edge. Britain’s FTSE 100 edged down 0.07% on Friday as investors digested fresh geopolitical jitters sparked by U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariff threats over Greenland—threats he later dialed back somewhat. “Gold ostensibly remains the preferred portfolio hedge amid ongoing geopolitical risk,” said Laura Cooper, senior macro strategist at Nuveen. (Reuters)
Unilever’s defensive tag is a double-edged sword: it draws in buyers when risk appetite dips but becomes a liability if investors shy away from paying a premium for steady cashflows.
On Friday, Reuters reported that The Magnum Ice Cream Company accused Anuradha Mittal, the former chair of Ben & Jerry’s board, of “serious misconduct.” The report also noted the independent board of Ben & Jerry’s has now shrunk to just two directors. Magnum, which was spun off from Unilever in December, still sees Unilever holding a 19.9% stake, according to Reuters. (Reuters)
The downside case comes into focus quickly. A fresh surge in geopolitical tension could weigh on currencies and dent consumer confidence. Meanwhile, a weak earnings report or cautious guidance might reignite worries over demand in major markets. Added to that, ongoing Ben & Jerry’s litigation could drag the name into negative headlines again.
Unilever will report its Q4 and full-year 2025 earnings on Feb. 12, then present at the CAGNY Conference on Feb. 17, per the company’s events calendar. These dates mark the next key moments for investors to watch. (Unilever)
