London, Jan 26, 2026, 08:52 GMT — Regular session
- Unilever shares slipped slightly in early London trading, holding close to Friday’s finish.
- Investors are bracing for Unilever’s results on Feb. 12, along with updated guidance on volumes and margins.
- Broader European stocks held back, awaiting the U.S. Federal Reserve’s policy decision due later this week.
Unilever shares slipped 0.1% to 4,860 pence by 0838 GMT, after starting the day flat at 4,864 pence. The stock stayed confined to a tight range in early trading.
The move is modest, yet the timing is significant. After last week’s tariff shock, investors rushed to slash risk, putting defensive stocks under pressure in this environment.
Unilever isn’t standing still either. The company behind Dove and Hellmann’s plans to release its fourth-quarter and full-year 2025 results on Feb. 12, according to its investor calendar. It’s also set to speak at the CAGNY Conference on Feb. 17.
European shares edged slightly higher on Monday, the STOXX 600 ticking up 0.06% by 0803 GMT. Traders remained on edge ahead of the Federal Reserve’s policy announcement later this week. Earlier jitters sparked by tariff threats linked to Greenland, which were subsequently retracted, kept markets cautious.
In a pre-close note dated Jan. 8, Unilever confirmed it still expects 2025 underlying sales growth—its organic metric—to land between 3% and 5%. It also projected fourth-quarter volume growth would at least match the third quarter’s 1.7%. The document added that ice cream will be classified as a discontinued operation in the Feb. 12 results, with Unilever maintaining roughly a 19.9% stake in The Magnum Ice Cream Company. It also mentioned that the direct profit impact from tariffs remains limited and has already been factored into its margin outlook.
Traders now face a key question: can the stock maintain its footing without a new catalyst, or will it slip along with the wider market amid ongoing rate and trade uncertainties?
Investors are focusing on how growth is unfolding. When volumes drive gains instead of price hikes, the reaction is usually more positive—particularly if margins hold steady.
However, risks remain. Any softer volume figures, rising input costs, or further currency fluctuations might dent confidence, just as the company aims to establish a new baseline following the ice cream spin-off.
Unilever’s next big event is the Feb. 12 earnings release and webcast. Investors will also be eyeing the Fed’s decision later this week, looking for any ripple effects on rates, currencies, and risk appetite.
