Brands go social-first as creator budgets climb and agencies feel the squeeze

Unilever slipped 0.64% to finish at 4,903.5 pence on Monday in London, with the shares losing ground as oil prices soared and European equities broadly sold off. Investors kept a close watch on the group’s performance, still digesting the recent spin-off of its ice cream business and eyeing its growth prospects.

Unilever PLC edged up 0.2% to 5,146 pence as of 0900 GMT on Wednesday, bouncing back a bit after UK equities stumbled in the previous session. Shares have ranged from 5,134 to 5,168 pence since the open.

Unilever shares edged up in early London action Tuesday, as markets digested a new share purchase by CEO Fernando Fernandez alongside last week’s muted growth guidance. By 0810 GMT, the stock had gained roughly 0.3% to 5,435.5 pence.

Unilever edged up 0.2% to 5,176 pence in early Tuesday trading in London by 0835 GMT, recovering a bit after dropping 1.6% the day before.

Shares of Unilever slipped Monday, losing 0.7% to 5,214 pence by 0838 GMT, after Deutsche Bank lowered its rating, pointing to what it called a stretched valuation following the stock’s recent rally. Unilever traded between 5,200 and 5,234 pence, down from a Friday close of 5,250 pence.

Unilever shares edged down 0.5% to 5,223 pence in early London trading Friday, retreating from a 12-month high hit the previous day. The stock opened at 5,235 pence and fluctuated between 5,219 and 5,255 pence. Its 12-month peak was 5,278 pence on Feb. 5, with a low of 4,123 pence over the past year, according to prices delayed by 15 minutes.

Unilever shares slipped 0.25% to 5,165 pence in early London trade Thursday, shedding 13 pence from Wednesday’s close. The stock finished the previous session at 5,178 pence, putting the consumer goods giant’s market cap near £112.6 billion.