Publication date: November 13, 2024
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- Year of incorporation: 1930 (formed from the merger of Margarine Union and Lever Brothers)
- Year added to the AEX: 1999
- Highest price ever: €65.9 in September 2024
- Average trading volume: Circa 1.100,000 shares per day
- Price performance over the past 12 months: +19.34 %
Introduction about the company
Unilever N.V. is one of the largest multinational consumer goods companies in the food, cleaning products, personal care, and healthcare sectors. The company is headquartered in Rotterdam and listed on Euronext Amsterdam under UNIA. Unilever has a broad portfolio of well-known brands, such as Dove, Ben & Jerry's, and Knorr.
Core figures & performance
In 2023, Unilever reported annual sales of €59.6 billion and net income of €7.4 billion. The company employs about 128,000 people worldwide. Its market capitalization is about €114 billion. Unilever has a robust dividend policy and pays a substantial dividend to its shareholders each year.
History & development
Unilever was founded in 1930 from the merger of the Dutch Margarine Union and the British Lever Brothers. Since then, the company has positioned itself as a global leader in consumer goods. Unilever operates in more than 190 countries and has a diverse product portfolio. In recent years, Unilever has increasingly focused on sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint, with initiatives such as reducing plastic packaging and making production methods more sustainable.
Sector & competition
With rivals like Procter & Gamble, Nestlé, and Colgate-Palmolive, Unilever operates in the competitive consumer products sector. The sector has a strong focus on innovation and consumer trends, with an emphasis on health, sustainability, and technological advances. Unilever differentiates itself through its broad brand portfolio, global presence, and focus on sustainability and social responsibility.
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Influence of Unilever on the AEX
As one of the largest companies on the Amsterdam Stock Exchange, Unilever has a significant influence on the AEX Index, with a total weighting of 14.51% (measured June 28, 2024). As a result, the company has a substantial impact on the movements of the AEX Index, especially during the release of quarterly results and other important corporate developments.
Investment analysis & outlook
Investment analysts view Unilever as a stable investment, given its strong market position, diversified product portfolio and global presence. Its focus on sustainability and delivering innovative products offers growth potential, although factors such as economic fluctuations, competition and changing consumer preferences may pose challenges. Unilever remains focused on improving efficiency and further enhancing the sustainability of its product offering.
The chart below compares Unilever's share price performance with the AEX index over the past 5 years. It shows that despite some fluctuations in the market, the company has remained relatively stable compared to five years ago. What is notable is that Unilever's share price performance shows similar movements to the AEX, although the AEX has experienced significantly greater growth. This is due in part to the strong performance of tech funds and other large companies in the index.
News & updates
Recently, Unilever announced it is further strengthening its global sustainability strategy, with new targets for reducing carbon emissions and making product packaging more sustainable. In addition, the company is investing in new technologies for sustainable food production. For more details on Unilever's financial performance and initiatives, visit its official website: Unilever.com