London, Jan 31, 2026, 08:18 (GMT) — Market closed
- Unilever shares closed Friday 1.5% higher, hitting 4,940.5 pence on the London Stock Exchange.
- Unilever’s full-year results, due Feb. 12, have investors on alert.
- The court battle over Ben & Jerry’s independent board has resurfaced.
Unilever shares ended Friday at 4,940.5 pence, rising 73 pence from the previous day. The stock traded in a range from 4,846 to 4,946.5 pence. Around 3.1 million shares changed hands, based on exchange figures gathered by Yahoo Finance.
The market’s closed for the weekend, but the next session drops right amid a packed schedule of catalysts. Investors have a key date to watch and a few unresolved stories still making noise.
Unilever will release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 12, according to its events calendar. The company is also set to appear at the CAGNY Conference on Feb. 17.
Earlier this week, Unilever announced it has agreed to sell its Home Care business in Colombia and Ecuador to Alicorp, though financial details remain under wraps. The deal awaits regulatory approval and other typical closing hurdles, the company noted. Reginaldo Ecclissato described the move as part of their goal to “sharpen our portfolio.” Unilever
A legal dispute involving Unilever’s former ice cream division has reignited. Directors ousted from Ben & Jerry’s independent board are contesting The Magnum Ice Cream Company’s attempt to install new board members, alleging the move exceeds their authority. Unilever holds a 19.9% stake in Magnum, created when Unilever spun off its ice cream business last December, Reuters reported.
Friday saw a stronger gain than the wider market. The FTSE 100 climbed 0.51%, while Unilever remained roughly 11% shy of its 52-week peak reached on Dec. 19, according to market data.
The focus now isn’t so much Friday’s stock action but what management can deliver going forward. The portfolio continues to evolve, yet the real benchmark remains growth and margins—deal announcements won’t cut it.
When the results drop, traders will focus on underlying sales growth — Unilever’s gauge of organic expansion that excludes currency fluctuations and the effects of acquisitions or disposals. They’ll also zero in on how much growth stems from volume (units sold) versus price, plus whether margins manage to hold steady as consumers remain cautious.
The sale of Colombia and Ecuador introduces another variable to watch. Without a disclosed price, investors will be keenly awaiting details on timing, cash flow effects, and the broader implications for the Home Care portfolio.
There’s a downside risk. If approvals drag on or the Ben & Jerry’s dispute sparks new legal or governance headaches, the stock could take a hit. Earnings driven by pricing instead of volume would also rekindle the old concern: higher prices, fewer baskets sold.
Up next is Unilever’s February 12 earnings report. Any legal updates concerning Magnum and Ben & Jerry’s are expected to hit the wires ahead of that date.
