London, Jan 28, 2026, 08:53 GMT — Regular session
- Unilever shares slipped 0.7% in early trading, underperforming the FTSE 100 by a small margin
- European stocks held steady following a two-day rally; attention now turns to the Fed decision later today
- Unilever will report full-year results on Feb. 12, with investors focused on volume growth and margin performance
Shares of Unilever (ULVR.L) dropped 0.7% to 4,831.5 pence by 0851 GMT, while the FTSE 100 slipped 0.1%. So far, the stock has traded in a tight range, between 4,820.5 and 4,847.5 pence. (Investing.com UK)
Unilever took an early hit as it approaches its full-year results, set for release in two weeks. The company behind Dove and Hellmann’s is under scrutiny for how it’s managing price points, promotions, and unit sales amid cautious consumers. The fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 figures are due on Feb. 12, with a webcast at 0800 UK time. CEO Fernando Fernandez is also scheduled to speak at the CAGNY conference in Orlando on Feb. 17. (Unilever)
Stocks in Europe stalled following two days of gains. The STOXX 600 held steady around 0804 GMT, led by tech shares, as investors braced for the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy announcement later Wednesday. (Reuters)
Currency moves rattled multinationals again. The dollar stayed close to four-year lows after U.S. President Donald Trump’s remarks, sending the euro back above $1.20 and sterling to its highest since 2021. Kyle Rodda, senior market analyst at Capital.com, noted, “It shows there’s a crisis of confidence in the U.S. dollar.” (Reuters)
In London Tuesday, the FTSE 100 edged up 0.6%, driven by a bank rally ahead of a packed week of earnings and the Fed’s upcoming decision. Meanwhile, precious-metal miners pulled back following a strong gain the day before. A Reuters poll highlighted that most economists expect the Bank of England to keep rates steady at 3.75% in February. The report also pointed out that British retailers saw prices climb at their fastest pace since February 2024. (Reuters)
Unilever’s stock now mirrors its streamlined structure following last month’s changes. The company spun off its Magnum ice cream division in early December and executed an 8-for-9 share consolidation. Trading of the adjusted shares is set to start on the London Stock Exchange on Dec. 9, Reuters reported earlier. (Reuters)
Investors are focused less on quarterly numbers and more on the underlying sentiment: will volumes remain steady as price hikes ease up? And can margins hold steady when rivals ramp up promotional efforts?
However, the February update could disappoint. If volume growth slows or if cost pressures and discounting hit tougher than anticipated, the stock might lose its defensive edge that had attracted investors earlier this year.
