Unilever PLC 6-K, filed Jul 22, 2021
Unilever PLC (UL)
6-K
2021-07-22
For: 2021-07-22
View Original
Added on
April 09, 2026
About this 6-K
Unilever PLC filed this 6-K on July 22, 2021.
FORM 6-K
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER
Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16
of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934
For the
month of July, 2021
UNILEVER
PLC
(Translation
of registrant's name into English)
UNILEVER HOUSE, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON, ENGLAND
(Address
of principal executive offices)
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual
reports
under
cover Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form
20-F..X.. Form 40-F
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper
as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(1):_____
Indicate
by check mark if the registrant is submitting the Form 6-K in
paper
as
permitted by Regulation S-T Rule 101(b)(7):_____
Indicate
by check mark whether the registrant by furnishing the
information
contained
in this Form is also thereby furnishing the information to
the
Commission
pursuant to Rule 12g3-2(b) under the Securities Exchange Act of
1934.
Yes
No .X..
If
"Yes" is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the
registrant
in
connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82- _______
Exhibit
99 attached hereto is incorporated herein by reference.
Signatures
Pursuant
to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the
registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf
by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
|
UNILEVER
PLC
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
/S/ R SOTAMAA
|
|
BY R SOTAMAA
|
|
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND GROUP SECRETARY
|
Date:
22 July, 2021
EXHIBIT INDEX
------------------------
|
EXHIBIT
NUMBER
|
EXHIBIT
DESCRIPTION
|
|
99
|
Notice
to London Stock Exchange dated 22
July 2021
|
|
|
Half-year Report
|
Exhibit
99
2021 FIRST HALF YEAR RESULTS
Performance highlights (unaudited)
|
Underlying performance
|
GAAP measures
|
|||||
|
|
|
vs 2020
|
|
|
vs 2020
|
|
|
First Half
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
sales growth (USG)
|
|
5.4%
|
Turnover
|
€25.8bn
|
0.3%
|
|
|
Underlying
operating margin
|
18.8%
|
(100)bps
|
Operating
margin
|
17.2%
|
(100)bps
|
|
|
Underlying
earnings per share
|
€1.33
|
(2.0)%
|
Diluted
earnings per share
|
€1.19
|
(5.0)%
|
|
|
Second Quarter
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
USG
|
|
5.0%
|
Turnover
|
€13.5bn
|
1.2%
|
|
|
Quarterly
dividend payable in September 2021
|
€0.4268
per share
|
|||||
First half highlights
●
Underlying sales
growth of 5.4%, with 4.0% volume and 1.3% price. Price growth
stepped up in Q2
●
Turnover increased
0.3% including a positive impact of 1.4% from acquisitions net of
disposals and negative impact of 6.1% from currency related
items
●
Underlying
operating margin of 18.8%, a decrease of 100bps driven by
investment behind our brands and input cost inflation
●
Underlying earnings
per share down 2.0%, including a negative impact of 6.3% from
currency
●
Free cash flow of
€2.4 billion, compared to €2.9 billion in the first
half of 2020
●
Quarterly
shareholder dividend of €0.4268 per share and share buyback
programme of up to €3 billion underway
|
Alan
Jope: Chief Executive Officer statement
|
“Unilever
has delivered a strong first half, with underlying sales growth of
5.4% driven by our continued focus on operational
excellence.
We are
making good progress against the strategic choices outlined earlier
this year, including the development of our portfolio into high
growth spaces. Prestige Beauty and Functional Nutrition grew
strongly and we recently announced the acquisition of
digitally-native skin care brand Paula’s Choice. The
operational separation of our Tea business is substantially
complete. Our ecommerce business grew 50% and the channel now
represents 11% of sales.
Competitive
growth is our priority, and we are confident that we will deliver
underlying sales growth in 2021 well within our multi-year
framework of 3-5%, despite more challenging comparators in the
second half. We have seen further cost inflation emerge through the
second quarter. Cost volatility and the timing of landing price
actions create a higher than normal range of likely year end margin
outcomes. We are managing this dynamically and expect to maintain
underlying operating margin for 2021 around
flat.”
22 July 2021
|
|
Second
Quarter 2021
|
First
Half 2021
|
|||||||
|
(unaudited)
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
Change
in underlying operating margin
|
|
|
€bn
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
€bn
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
bps
|
|
Unilever
|
13.5
|
5.0
|
3.3
|
1.6
|
25.8
|
5.4
|
4.0
|
1.3
|
(100)
|
|
Beauty
& Personal Care
|
5.4
|
4.2
|
2.1
|
2.0
|
10.4
|
3.3
|
1.8
|
1.4
|
(220)
|
|
Home
Care
|
2.6
|
3.2
|
3.1
|
0.1
|
5.2
|
4.5
|
4.8
|
(0.3)
|
(130)
|
|
Foods
& Refreshment
|
5.5
|
6.8
|
4.6
|
2.0
|
10.2
|
8.1
|
5.8
|
2.1
|
60
|
Our markets: The operating
environment across our markets has seen some improvements but
remains volatile. Restrictions on daily life continue around the
world, impacting channel dynamics, sales mix and consumer
behaviour. Although renewed restrictions in India impacted the
market in the second quarter, they were less severe than in the
same period last year. In China,
normalisation has continued, but market growth is still below
pre-Covid-19 levels. The North America and Europe markets declined
in the second quarter as we lapped the surge in demand for in-home
food and hygiene products in the same period of 2020. In difficult
macroeconomic conditions, markets are growing in Latin America but
market conditions in South East Asia remain challenging. In
Indonesia, large parts of the country have entered lock-down
following a sharp rise in Covid-19 cases.
Unilever overall performance: We continue to be guided by our five strategic
choices:
●
develop
our portfolio into higher growth spaces;
●
win
with our brands as a force for good, powered by purpose and
innovation;
●
accelerate
in the USA, India and China and leverage our emerging markets
strength;
●
lead
in the channels of the future; and
●
build
a purpose-led, future-fit organisation and growth
culture.
These strategic choices and our sharp focus on operational
excellence have delivered first half underlying sales growth of
5.4%, with volume growth of 4.0% and 1.3% from price. Underlying
sales growth in the second quarter was 5.0%, including price of
1.6%, which accelerated through the quarter as our pricing actions
landed in markets.
Emerging markets grew 8.3%, driven by continued recovery in China
and strong performance in South Asia, both growing double
digit. Performance in South East Asia was mixed, with
Indonesia declining high single digit. Latin America grew high
single digit, led by price growth. Developed markets grew 1.5%, as
North America and Europe each grew low single digit. In North
America, food solutions and Prestige Beauty contributed to growth
as the out of home eating and health and beauty channels reopened.
We saw a relative decline in food consumed at home and flat growth
in hygiene products, as we lapped the spike in demand in the prior
year. In Europe, volume growth was supported by a recovery in out
of home ice cream. Price declined in Europe as we lapped a
period of lower promotional intensity in some markets. Ecommerce grew 50% and is now 11% of
sales.
Turnover increased 0.3% including a positive impact of 1.4% from
acquisitions net of disposals and negative impact of 6.1% from
currency related items.
We continue to develop our portfolio into higher growth spaces. In
Prestige Beauty we signed an agreement in June to acquire the
leading digital-led skin care brand Paula’s
Choice, which has pioneered
jargon-free science, high performing ingredients and cruelty-free
products. Underlying sales in
functional nutrition grew high single digit in the second quarter,
which includes vitamins, minerals & supplements brands
OLLY
and
Equilibra
and our
South Asian nutrition brands Horlicks
and
Boost.
The
operational separation of our tea business is substantially
complete and is due to conclude in October 2021. We are now focused on the next phase for this
business, which we expect to be either an IPO, sale or partnership.
This business generated revenues of around €2 billion in 2020
and excludes our hot tea businesses in India and Indonesia and our
partnership interests in ready-to-drink tea.
As we announced in April, a number of smaller beauty and personal
care brands have been separated with a dedicated management team
under the name Elida Beauty. The brands include Q-Tips, Caress, Tigi, Timotei, Impulse and Monsavon with combined revenues of around €0.6
billion in 2020. We are exploring options for these brands with a
focus on maximising value creation.
Underlying operating margin declined by 100bps to 18.8%. After
conserving spend at the peak of the global pandemic in the prior
year we have stepped up investment in our brands and marketing
campaigns, increasing spend by 80bps. Gross margin was 60bps lower,
impacted by an increase in raw material, packaging and distribution
costs globally. There was a slightly negative incremental impact on
gross margin in the first half from adverse mix related to Covid-19
.. Overheads improved by 40bps. Productivity programmes and ongoing
Covid-19 related savings in areas like travel and facilities
continued.
Beauty & Personal Care
Beauty and Personal Care underlying sales grew 3.3% with 1.8% from
volume and 1.4% from price, with an acceleration to 4.2% underlying
sales growth in the second quarter, helped by increased personal
care consumption occasions as living restrictions were eased in
some of our markets.
Skin care grew double digit and deodorants returned to growth. In
skin care Vaseline and Ponds each grew double digit. We launched
Dove’s
refillable deodorant innovation in the
USA, one of many Dove projects exploring sustainable packaging
solutions. Skin cleansing declined as
we lapped the sharp increase in demand in the prior year related to
Covid-19. Hair grew mid-single digit. Wash and care and
styling both grew and we saw good growth in China, India and
Brazil. Premium brand
Shea
Moisture grew double digit in
the USA. Oral care grew mid-single digit, led by volume from South
Asia and Africa. Closeup’s
freshness innovation is driving growth
in Brazil. Our Prestige Beauty brands grew double digit, with
higher in-store footfall. We increased pricing in response to
commodity inflation across categories, particularly in Latin
America and South Asia.
Underlying operating margin declined 220bps as we stepped up brand
and marketing investment compared to the prior year and as gross
margin declined as a result of high cost inflation.
Home Care
Home Care underlying sales grew 4.5% with 4.8% from volume and
negative price of 0.3%.
Fabric cleaning grew mid-single digit driven by recovery in India
and price-led growth in Brazil. In Latin America growth was helped
by our Omo dilutable laundry liquid innovation, which
launched in 2020. Fabric enhancers grew mid-single digit led by
China, where our Comfort fragrance boosters innovation with dual-colour
beads and luxury-inspired fragrances performed well. Home &
hygiene declined low single digit. There was good growth in
dishwash in emerging markets, whilst household cleaners declined as
we lapped a prior year spike in growth. We expanded our
Lifebuoy
brand into home hygiene products in
the UK and Germany, launching the new Botanitech range of cleaning
products with naturally-derived ingredients.
Price
declined overall as we lapped a period of lower promotional
intensity in some markets and as the impact of rising input costs
was more muted in fabric cleaning through the first half. Pricing
was slightly positive in the second quarter as we started to take
pricing action in markets including Brazil and Turkey to respond to
rising input costs.
Underlying
operating margin declined 130bps as we increased brand and
marketing investment compared to the prior year. Gross margin
declined as a result of high cost inflation, whilst overheads
decreased.
Foods & Refreshment
Foods and Refreshment underlying sales grew 8.1% with 5.8% from
volume and 2.1% from price.
Ice cream sales grew across both in home and out of home products,
with double digit performances
in Turkey, China and India. Out of home ice cream in Europe grew
double digit as living restrictions began to ease, although
sales have not returned to pre-Covid-19 levels. Magnum and Ben and Jerry’s
both grew double digit.
Magnum
launched the Miley in Layers campaign
with Miley Cyrus. Ben and Jerry’s
has seen innovation success with its
‘Topped’ product range, with larger chunks and unique
patterns and layers.
Food solutions grew double digit. Sales in China were above
pre-Covid-19 levels, however in most other markets turnover has not
yet recovered to 2019 levels as out of home channel restrictions remained in place. In-home
foods grew low single digit even as we lapped a spike in demand in
the prior year. Knorr and Hellmanns’s
grew double digit led by volume with
campaigns such as Make Taste Not Waste in Hellmann’s
and the rollout of innovations such
as Knorr’s
flavour rich, low salt bouillon. We
took pricing action across food and ice cream to counter rising
input costs.
Tea grew high single digit through both price and volume, with
growth in North America, Turkey, Europe and India. Price was driven
by India, following significant raw material
inflation.
Underlying operating margin increased 60bps. There was an increase
in brand marketing investment and a decrease in overheads as we
benefitted from turnover leverage.
FIRST HERATIONAL REVIEW: GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
|
|
Second
Quarter 2021
|
First
Half 2021
|
|||||||
|
(unaudited)
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
Change
in underlying operating margin
|
|
|
€bn
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
€bn
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
bps
|
|
Unilever
|
13.5
|
5.0
|
3.3
|
1.6
|
25.8
|
5.4
|
4.0
|
1.3
|
(100)
|
|
Asia/AMET/RUB
|
6.1
|
5.7
|
4.5
|
1.2
|
12.1
|
7.7
|
6.4
|
1.2
|
(30)
|
|
The
Americas
|
4.2
|
4.8
|
0.7
|
4.1
|
8.0
|
5.1
|
1.7
|
3.3
|
(190)
|
|
Europe
|
3.2
|
4.0
|
4.7
|
(0.6)
|
5.7
|
1.1
|
2.2
|
(1.1)
|
(130)
|
|
|
Second
Quarter 2021
|
First
Half 2021
|
||||||
|
(unaudited)
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
|
|
€bn
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
€bn
|
%
|
%
|
%
|
|
Developed
markets
|
5.8
|
2.2
|
1.6
|
0.6
|
10.8
|
1.5
|
1.4
|
0.2
|
|
Emerging
markets
|
7.7
|
7.2
|
4.7
|
2.4
|
15.0
|
8.3
|
5.9
|
2.2
|
|
North
America
|
2.7
|
1.1
|
(1.1)
|
2.2
|
5.1
|
2.6
|
1.0
|
1.6
|
|
Latin
America
|
1.5
|
11.9
|
4.2
|
7.4
|
2.9
|
9.5
|
3.1
|
6.3
|
Asia/AMET/RUB
Underlying
sales grew 7.7% with 6.4% from volume and 1.2% from price. South
Asia grew double digit as we lapped a period of strict lock-down
measures in India in the prior year, although growth slowed from
the first to the second quarter as regional restrictions were put
in place. We increased prices across categories in response to
commodity inflation. China grew double digit, with broad based
growth across divisions and a recovery to pre-Covid-19 turnover
levels in our food solutions business. In Turkey double digit
growth was balanced between price and volume, helped by strong ice
cream performance. Indonesia declined high single digit in
difficult market conditions, whilst Thailand grew mid-single digit
as we lapped a period of heavy decline in the second quarter of
2020.
Underlying
operating margin declined 30bps as a result of increased brand and
marketing investment compared to the prior year, and a lower gross
margin due to higher input costs. This was mostly offset by lower
overheads due to turnover leverage. .
The Americas
Underlying sales growth in North America was 2.6%, with 1.6% from
price and 1.0% from volume. Our food solutions and Prestige Beauty
businesses grew double digit as channels reopened. In-home foods
declined low single digit as we lapped a period of surge demand and
beauty and personal care saw low single digit growth. Underlying
price growth was delivered across all divisions.
Latin America delivered underlying sales growth of 9.5%, with 6.3%
from price and 3.1% from volume. Growth was balanced across all
divisions. We took strong pricing action in response to high
commodity inflation and currency devaluation. Brazil grew double
digit and Mexico grew mid-single digit, both led by price.
Argentina delivered mid-single digit volume growth.
Underlying operating margin decreased by 190bps with greater brand
and marketing investment compared to the prior year and a lower
gross margin due to higher input costs. The input costs were
partially offset through pricing particularly in Latin
America. There was a benefit in
overheads.
Europe
Underlying
sales grew 1.1% with volume of 2.2% and negative pricing of 1.1%.
Volume growth was led by a
recovery in out of home ice cream in the second quarter,
particularly in Italy and Spain, as the channel started to re-open.
Food solutions returned to growth, as out of home eating outlets
reopened. The UK and Germany sales declined as we lapped a spike in
growth in the second quarter of 2020. Price declined and we lapped
a period of lower promotional intensity in the second quarter in
some markets.
Underlying
operating margin declined 130bps driven by lower gross margin as
high levels of input cost inflation outweighed pricing in a
challenging retail environment. We increased brand and marketing
investment compared to the prior year.
|
ADDITIONAL
COMMENTARY ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – FIRST HALF
2021
|
Finance costs and tax
Net
finance costs decreased by €96 million to €153 million
in the first half of 2021. The decrease was largely driven by a
lower cost of debt and a one-off foreign exchange gain. This was
partially offset by lower interest income driven by interest on tax
credits in Brazil in the prior year. The interest rate on average
net debt decreased to 1.4% from 2.0% in 2020.
The
underlying effective tax rate for H1 2021 decreased to 21.9% from
22.6% in H1 2020 due to favourable tax audit settlements and
provision releases, as well as the restatement of deferred tax
balances for changes in tax rates. The effective tax rate for H1
2021 was 22.7% compared with 22.3% in H1 2020.
Joint ventures, associates and other income from non-current
investments
Net
profit from joint ventures and associates was €91 million,
consistent with the prior year. Other income from non-current
investments was €34 million.
Earnings per share
Underlying
earnings per share decreased by 2.0%, including a negative impact
of 6.3% from currency. Constant underlying earnings per share
increased by 4.3%. The increase was mainly driven by underlying
sales growth, lower tax and finance costs, partially offset by an
increase in profit attributable to minority interests following the
Horlicks acquisition in India. Diluted earnings per share decreased
5.0% at €1.19.
Free cash flow
Free
cash flow in the first half of 2021 was €2.4 billion, down
from the €2.9 billion delivered in the first half of 2020.
This was primarily a result of lower operating profit. We have
maintained the enhanced working capital discipline that improved
our free cash flow in 2020 at the start of the
pandemic.
Net debt
Closing
net debt increased to €22.4 billion compared with €20.9
billion at 31 December 2020. The increase was driven by dividends
paid and our share buyback programme, partially offset by free cash
flow delivery.
Pensions
Pension
assets net of liabilities were in surplus of €1.9 billion at
the end of June 2021 versus €0.3 billion as at 31 December
2020. The increase was driven by positive investment returns on
pension assets, and lower liabilities as interest rates
increased.
Finance and liquidity
In
February 2021 $1,000 million 4.25% fixed rate notes matured and
were repaid. In March 2021 $400 million 2.75% fixed rate notes
matured and were repaid.
On 30
June 2021 Unilever had undrawn revolving 364-day bilateral credit
facilities of $7,965 million in aggregate with a 364-day term
out.
Share buyback programme
On 29
April 2021 we announced our intention to start a share buyback
programme of up to €3 billion. On 6 May 2021 we announced we
would commence the first tranche of this buyback programme for an
aggregate market value equivalent to €1.5 billion. As at 30
June 2021 the Group had repurchased 17,973,091 ordinary shares.
Total consideration for the repurchase of shares was €0.9
billion which is recorded within other reserves. The first tranche
for an aggregate market value of €1.5 billion will end on or
before 27 August 2021.
Capital Reduction
On 15 June 2021 the UK court approved a capital reduction of
£18.4 billion (€20.6 billion). The impact of this was to
transfer €20.6 billion from share premium to retained
earnings.
|
COMPETITION
INVESTIGATIONS
|
As previously disclosed, Unilever is involved in a number of
ongoing investigations and cases by national competition
authorities, including those within Italy, Greece, South Africa and
Turkey. These proceedings and investigations are at various stages
and concern a variety of product markets. Where appropriate,
provisions are made and contingent liabilities disclosed in
relation to such matters.
Ongoing compliance with competition laws is of key importance to
Unilever. It is Unilever’s policy to co-operate fully with
competition authorities whenever questions or issues arise. In
addition, the Group continues to reinforce and enhance its internal
competition law training and compliance programme on an ongoing
basis.
|
NON-GAAP
MEASURES
|
Certain
discussions and analyses set out in this announcement include
measures which are not defined by generally accepted accounting
principles (GAAP) such as IFRS. We believe this information, along
with comparable GAAP measurements, is useful to investors because
it provides a basis for measuring our operating performance,
ability to retire debt and invest in new business opportunities.
Our management uses these financial measures, along with the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our
operating performance and value creation. Non-GAAP financial
measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a
substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with
GAAP. Wherever appropriate and practical, we provide
reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures.
Unilever
uses ‘constant rate’, and ‘underlying’
measures primarily for internal performance analysis and targeting
purposes. We present certain items, percentages and movements,
using constant exchange rates, which exclude the impact of
fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate
constant currency values by translating both the current and the
prior period local currency amounts using the prior year average
exchange rates into euro, except for the local currency of entities
that operate in hyperinflationary economies. These currencies are
translated into euros using the prior year closing exchange rate
before the application of IAS 29. The table below shows exchange
rate movements in our key markets.
|
|
First
half average rate in 2021
|
First
half average rate in 2020
|
|
Brazilian Real (€1 = BRL)
|
6.492
|
5.323
|
|
Chinese Yuan (€1 = CNY)
|
7.800
|
7.743
|
|
Indian Rupee (€1 = INR)
|
88.365
|
81.535
|
|
Indonesia Rupiah (€1 = IDR)
|
17231
|
16055
|
|
Philippine Peso (€1 = PHP)
|
58.153
|
55.823
|
|
UK Pound Sterling (€1 = GBP)
|
0.868
|
0.873
|
|
US Dollar (€1 = US $)
|
1.206
|
1.102
|
Underlying sales growth (USG)
Underlying sales growth (USG) refers to the increase in turnover
for the period, excluding any change in turnover resulting from
acquisitions, disposals, changes in currency and price growth in
excess of 26% in hyperinflationary economies. Inflation of 26% per
year compounded over three years is one of the key indicators
within IAS 29 to assess whether an economy is deemed to be
hyperinflationary. We believe this measure provides valuable
additional information on the underlying sales performance of the
business and is a key measure used internally. The impact of
acquisitions and disposals is excluded from USG for a period of 12
calendar months from the applicable closing date. Turnover from
acquired brands that are launched in countries where they were not
previously sold is included in USG as such turnover is more
attributable to our existing sales and distribution network than
the acquisition itself. The reconciliation of changes in the GAAP
measure turnover to USG is provided in notes 3 and 4.
Underlying price growth (UPG)
Underlying price growth (UPG) is part of USG and means, for the
applicable period, the increase in turnover attributable to changes
in prices during the period. UPG therefore excludes the impact to
USG due to (i) the volume of products sold; and (ii) the
composition of products sold during the period. In determining
changes in price we exclude the impact of price growth in excess of
26% per year in hyperinflationary economies as explained in USG
above. The measures and the related turnover GAAP measure are set
out in notes 3 and 4.
Underlying volume growth (UVG)
Underlying
volume growth (UVG) is part of USG and means, for the applicable
period, the increase in turnover in such period calculated as the
sum of (i) the increase in turnover attributable to the volume of
products sold; and (ii) the increase in turnover attributable to
the composition of products sold during such period. UVG therefore
excludes any impact on USG due to changes in prices. The measures
and the related turnover GAAP measure are set out in notes 3 and
4.
Non-underlying items
Several
non-GAAP measures are adjusted to exclude items defined as
non-underlying due to their nature and/or frequency of
occurrence.
●
Non-underlying items within operating
profit are: gains or losses on business disposals,
acquisition and disposal related costs, restructuring costs,
impairments and other items within operating profit classified here
due to their nature and frequency.
●
Non-underlying items not in operating profit
but within net profit are: net monetary gain/(loss) arising
from hyperinflationary economies and significant and unusual items
in net finance cost, share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and
associates and taxation.
●
Non-underlying items are: both
non-underlying items within operating profit and those
non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net
profit.
Underlying operating profit (UOP) and underlying operating margin
(UOM)
Underlying operating profit and underlying operating margin mean
operating profit and operating margin before the impact of
non-underlying items within operating profit. Underlying operating
profit represents our measure of segment profit or loss as it is
the primary measure used for making decisions about allocating
resources and assessing performance of the segments. The
reconciliation of operating profit to underlying operating profit
is as follows:
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
Operating profit
|
4,426
|
4,672
|
|
Non-underlying items within operating profit (see note
2)
|
421
|
412
|
|
Underlying operating profit
|
4,847
|
5,084
|
|
Turnover
|
25,791
|
25,714
|
|
Operating margin (%)
|
17.2
|
18.2
|
|
Underlying operating margin (%)
|
18.8
|
19.8
|
Underlying effective tax rate
The
underlying effective tax rate is calculated by dividing taxation
excluding the tax impact of non-underlying items by profit before
tax excluding the impact of non-underlying items and share of net
(profit)/loss of joint ventures and associates. This measure
reflects the underlying tax rate in relation to profit before tax
excluding non-underlying items before tax and share of net
profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates. Tax impact on
non-underlying items within operating profit is the sum of the tax
on each non-underlying item, based on the applicable country tax
rates and tax treatment. This is shown in the following
table:
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
Taxation
|
972
|
991
|
|
Tax impact:
|
|
|
|
Non-underlying items within operating
profit(a)
|
97
|
109
|
|
Non-underlying items not in operating profit but
within net profit(a)
|
(34)
|
(7)
|
|
Taxation before tax impact of non-underlying items
|
1,035
|
1,093
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
4,369
|
4,533
|
|
Non-underlying items within operating profit before
tax(a)
|
421
|
412
|
|
Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit
before tax(a)
|
29
|
(21)
|
|
Share of net (profit)/loss of joint ventures and
associates
|
(91)
|
(89)
|
|
Profit before tax excluding non-underlying items before tax and
share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and
associates
|
4,728
|
4,835
|
|
Underlying effective tax rate
|
21.9%
|
22.6%
|
(a)
Refer
to note 2 for further details on these items.
Underlying earnings per share
Underlying earnings per share (underlying EPS) is calculated as
underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ equity
divided by the diluted average number of ordinary shares. In
calculating underlying profit attributable to shareholders’
equity, net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity is
adjusted to eliminate the post-tax impact of non-underlying items.
This measure reflects the underlying earnings for each share unit
of the Group. Refer to note 6 for reconciliation of net profit
attributable to shareholders’ equity to underlying profit
attributable to shareholders equity.
Constant underlying EPS
Constant underlying earnings per share (constant underlying EPS) is
calculated as underlying profit attributable to shareholders’
equity at constant exchange rates and excluding the impact of both
translational hedges and price growth in excess of 26% per year in
hyperinflationary economies divided by the diluted average number
of ordinary shares. This measure reflects the underlying earnings
for each share unit of the Group in constant exchange
rates.
The reconciliation of underlying profit attributable to
shareholders’ equity to constant underlying earnings
attributable to shareholders’ equity and the calculation of
constant underlying EPS is as follows:
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
Underlying
profit attributable to shareholders' equity (see note
6)
|
3,488
|
3,559
|
|
Impact
of translation from current to constant exchange rates and
translational hedges
|
|
|
|
133
|
(103)
|
|
|
Impact
of price growth in excess of 26% per year in hyperinflationary
economies
|
(16)
|
-
|
|
Constant
underlying earnings attributable to shareholders'
equity
|
3,605
|
3,456
|
|
Diluted
average number of share units (millions of units)
|
2,627.2
|
2,627.2
|
|
Constant
underlying EPS (€)
|
1.37
|
1.32
|
Net debt
Net debt is a measure that provides valuable additional information
on the summary presentation of the Group’s net financial
liabilities and is a measure in common use elsewhere. Net debt is
defined as the excess of total financial liabilities, excluding
trade payables and other current liabilities, over cash, cash
equivalents and other current financial assets, excluding trade and
other current receivables, and non-current financial asset
derivatives that relate to financial liabilities.
The reconciliation of total financial liabilities to net debt is as
follows:
|
€ million
|
As at30
June2021
|
As at
31 December2020
|
As at
30 June2020
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|||
|
Total financial liabilities
|
(27,542)
|
(27,305)
|
(28,805)
|
|
Current
financial liabilities
|
(6,720)
|
(4,461)
|
(4,792)
|
|
Non-current
financial liabilities
|
(20,822)
|
(22,844)
|
(24,013)
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet
|
4,182
|
5,548
|
4,855
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents as per cash flow statement
|
4,072
|
5,475
|
4,722
|
|
Add
bank overdrafts deducted therein
|
110
|
73
|
133
|
|
Other current financial assets
|
885
|
808
|
1,100
|
|
Non-current financial assets derivatives that relate to financial
liabilities
|
33
|
21
|
96
|
|
Net debt
|
(22,442)
|
(20,928)
|
(22,754)
|
Free cash flow (FCF)
Within
the Unilever Group, free cash flow (FCF) is defined as cash flow
from operating activities, less income taxes paid, net capital
expenditure and net interest payments. It does not represent
residual cash flows entirely available for discretionary purposes;
for example, the repayment of principal amounts borrowed is not
deducted from FCF. FCF reflects an additional way of viewing our
liquidity that we believe is useful to investors because it
represents cash flows that could be used for distribution of
dividends, repayment of debt or to fund our strategic initiatives,
including acquisitions, if any.
The
reconciliation of cash flow from operating activities to FCF is as
follows:
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
Cash flow from operating activities
|
3,961
|
4,427
|
|
Income
tax paid
|
(917)
|
(899)
|
|
Net
capital expenditure
|
(386)
|
(422)
|
|
Net
interest paid
|
(227)
|
(256)
|
|
Free cash flow
|
2,431
|
2,850
|
|
Net
cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
|
(570)
|
(581)
|
|
Net
cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
|
(4,097)
|
(2,088)
|
|
OTHER
INFORMATION
|
This
document represents Unilever’s half-yearly report for the
purposes of the Disclosure and Transparency Rules (DTR) issued by
the UK Financial Conduct Authority (DTR 4.2) and the Dutch Act on
Financial Supervision, section 5:25d (8)/(9) (Half-yearly financial
reports). In this context: (i) the condensed set of financial
statements can be found on pages 11 to 22; (ii) pages 2 to 10
comprise the interim management report; and (iii) the
Directors’ responsibility statement can be found on page 23.
No material related party transactions have taken place in the
first six months of the year.
|
PRINCIPAL
RISK FACTORS
|
On
pages 46 to 50 of our 2020 Annual Report and Accounts we set out
our assessment of the principal risk issues that would face the
business under the headings: brand preference; portfolio
management; climate change; plastic packaging; customer; talent;
supply chain; safe and high quality products; systems and
information; business transformation; economic and political
instability; treasury and tax; ethical; and legal and regulatory.
In our view, the nature and potential impact of such risks remain
essentially unchanged as regards our performance over the second
half of 2021.
|
CAUTIONARY
STATEMENT
|
This
announcement may contain forward-looking statements, including
‘forward-looking statements’ within the meaning of the
United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995.
Words such as ‘will’, ‘aim’,
‘expects’, ‘anticipates’,
‘intends’, ‘looks’, ‘believes’,
‘vision’, or the negative of these terms and other
similar expressions of future performance or results, and their
negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking
statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon current
expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and
other factors affecting the Unilever Group (the
‘Group’). They are not historical facts, nor are they
guarantees of future performance.
Because
these forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties,
there are important factors that could cause actual results to
differ materially from those expressed or implied by these
forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties,
the material or principal factors which could cause actual results
to differ materially are: Unilever’s global brands not
meeting consumer preferences; Unilever’s ability to innovate
and remain competitive; Unilever’s investment choices in its
portfolio management; the effect of climate change on
Unilever’s business; Unilever’s ability to find
sustainable solutions to its plastic packaging; significant changes
or deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and
retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain
and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw
materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality
products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of
acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects;
economic, social and political risks and natural disasters;
financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and
managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. A number of these risks
have increased as a result of the current Covid-19 pandemic. These
forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this
document. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation,
the Group expressly disclaims any obligation or undertaking to
release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking
statements contained herein to reflect any change in the
Group’s expectations with regard thereto or any change in
events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is
based.
Further
details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group
are described in the Group’s filings with the London Stock
Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange
Commission, including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2020 and
the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2020 available on our
corporate website.
|
ENQUIRIES
|
|
Media: Media Relations Team
|
Investors: Investor Relations Team
|
|
UK
+44 78
2527 3767
lucila.zambrano@unilever.com
|
+44 20
7822 6830 investor.relations@unilever.com
|
|
Or +44
77 7999 9683 Jsibun@tulchangroup.com
|
|
|
NL +31
10 217 4844 els-de.bruin@unilever.com
|
|
|
Or +31
62 375 8385 marlous-den.bieman@unilever.com
|
|
There
will be a web cast of the results presentation available
at:
www.unilever.com/investor-relations/results-and-presentations/latest-results
|
CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT
|
(unaudited)
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
||||
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
Increase/
(Decrease) |
||
|
|
Current
rates
|
Constant
rates
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover
|
25,791
|
25,714
|
0.3%
|
7.1%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit
|
4,426
|
4,672
|
(5.3)%
|
2.6%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Which includes
non-underlying items credits/(charges) of
|
(421)
|
(412)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net finance costs
|
(153)
|
(249)
|
|
|
|
|
Finance
income
|
68
|
139
|
|
|
|
|
Finance
costs
|
(216)
|
(378)
|
|
|
|
|
Pensions and
similar obligations
|
(5)
|
(10)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-underlying item net monetary gain/(loss) arising from
hyperinflationary economies
|
(29)
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and
associates
|
91
|
89
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other income/(loss) from non-current investments and
associates
|
34
|
-
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Profit before taxation
|
4,369
|
4,533
|
(3.6)%
|
5.2%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Taxation
|
(972)
|
(991)
|
|
|
|
|
Which includes tax
impact of non-underlying items of
|
63
|
102
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net profit
|
3,397
|
3,542
|
(4.1)%
|
5.3%
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
276
|
258
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders'
equity
|
3,121
|
3,284
|
(5.0)%
|
4.4%
|
|
|
Combined
earnings per share
|
|
|||
|
Basic
earnings per share (euros)
|
1.19
|
1.25
|
(5.0)%
|
4.4%
|
|
Diluted
earnings per share (euros)
|
1.19
|
1.25
|
(5.0)%
|
4.4%
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME
|
(unaudited)
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
Net profit
|
3,397
|
3,542
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
|
|
|
Items
that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, net of
tax:
|
|
|
|
Gains/(losses) on
equity instruments measured at fair value through
other
comprehensive
income
|
55
|
20
|
|
Remeasurements of
defined benefit pension plans(a)
|
968
|
(201)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Items
that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss, net of
tax:
|
|
|
|
Gains/(losses) on
cash flow hedges
|
137
|
43
|
|
Currency
retranslation gains/(losses)(b)
|
617
|
(1,481)
|
|
Total comprehensive income
|
5,174
|
1,923
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
299
|
177
|
|
Shareholders’
equity
|
4,875
|
1,746
|
(a)
Remeasurement
of defined benefit pension plans in 2021 is driven by positive
investment returns and increase in interest rates.
(b)
2021
gain is primarily due to strengthening of the US Dollar, British
Pound, Brazilian Real and Indian Rupee against the Euro. 2020 loss
is due to weakening of the Brazilian Real, Mexican Peso, Indian
Rupee, South Korean Won and Russian Ruble against the
Euro.
|
CONSOLIDATED
STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY
|
(unaudited)
|
€ million
|
Called
up share capital
|
Share
premium account
|
Unification
reserve
|
Other
reserves
|
Retained
profit
|
Total
|
Non-
controlling interest
|
Total
equity
|
|
First half – 2021
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
January 2021
|
92
|
73,472
|
(73,364)
|
(7,482)
|
22,548
|
15,266
|
2,389
|
17,655
|
|
Profit
or loss for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,121
|
3,121
|
276
|
3,397
|
|
Other
comprehensive income, net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gains/(losses)
on:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
instruments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
67
|
-
|
67
|
(12)
|
55
|
|
Cash
flow hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
136
|
-
|
136
|
1
|
137
|
|
Remeasurements of
defined benefit pension plans
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
968
|
968
|
-
|
968
|
|
Currency
retranslation gains/(losses)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
576
|
7
|
583
|
34
|
617
|
|
Total
comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
779
|
4,096
|
4,875
|
299
|
5,174
|
|
Dividends
on ordinary capital
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2,252)
|
(2,252)
|
-
|
(2,252)
|
|
Share
capital reduction(a)
|
|
(20,626)
|
-
|
-
|
20,626
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
|
Repurchase
of shares(b)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(897)
|
-
|
(897)
|
-
|
(897)
|
|
Other
movements in treasury shares(c)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
78
|
(101)
|
(23)
|
-
|
(23)
|
|
Share-based
payment credit(d)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
82
|
82
|
-
|
82
|
|
Dividends
paid to non-controlling interests
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(258)
|
(258)
|
|
Currency
retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax
|
-
|
(3)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(3)
|
-
|
(3)
|
|
Hedging
gain/(loss) transferred to non-financial assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(89)
|
-
|
(89)
|
(1)
|
(90)
|
|
Other
movements in equity(e)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(83)
|
140
|
57
|
14
|
71
|
|
30 June 2021
|
92
|
52,843
|
(73,364)
|
(7,694)
|
45,139
|
17,016
|
2,443
|
19,459
|
|
First
half – 2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
1
January 2020 as previously reported
|
420
|
134
|
-
|
(5,574)
|
18,212
|
13,192
|
694
|
13,886
|
|
Profit
or loss for the period
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
3,284
|
3,284
|
258
|
3,542
|
|
Other
comprehensive income, net of tax:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Gains/(losses)
on:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
instruments
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
16
|
-
|
16
|
4
|
20
|
|
Cash
flow hedges
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
46
|
-
|
46
|
(3)
|
43
|
|
Remeasurements of
defined benefit pension plans
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(200)
|
(200)
|
(1)
|
(201)
|
|
Currency
retranslation gains/(losses)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,387)
|
(13)
|
(1,400)
|
(81)
|
(1,481)
|
|
Total
comprehensive income
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(1,325)
|
3,071
|
1,746
|
177
|
1,923
|
|
Dividends
on ordinary capital
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(2,149)
|
(2,149)
|
-
|
(2,149)
|
|
Other
movements in treasury shares(c)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
190
|
(126)
|
64
|
-
|
64
|
|
Share-based
payment credit(d)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
74
|
74
|
-
|
74
|
|
Dividends
paid to non-controlling interests
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(210)
|
(210)
|
|
Currency
retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax
|
-
|
(7)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(7)
|
-
|
(7)
|
|
Hedging
gain/(loss) transferred to non-financial assets
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
1
|
1
|
|
Net
gain arising from Horlicks acquisition(f)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
2,930
|
2,930
|
1,918
|
4,848
|
|
Other
movements in equity(e)
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
-
|
(211)
|
(211)
|
5
|
(206)
|
|
30 June 2020
|
420
|
127
|
-
|
(6,709)
|
21,801
|
15,639
|
2,585
|
18,224
|
(a)
Share premium has
been adjusted to reflect the legal share capital of the PLC
company, which reduced by £18,400 million following court
approval on 15 June 2021.
(b)
Repurchase of
shares reflects the cost of acquiring
ordinary shares as part of the share buyback programmes announced
on 29 April 2021.
(c)
Includes purchases
and sales of treasury stock, and transfer from treasury stock to
retained profit of share-settled schemes arising from prior years
and differences between exercise and grant price of share
options.
(d)
The share-based
payment credit relates to the non-cash charge recorded against
operating profit in respect of the fair value of share options and
awards granted to employees.
(e)
2021 includes a
hyperinflation adjustment of €137 million and €83
million related to the Welly acquisition. 2020 includes
€163 million paid for purchase of the non-controlling
interest in Unilever Malaysia.
(f)
Consideration for
the Main Horlicks Acquisition included the issuance of shares in a
group subsidiary, Hindustan Unilever Limited, which resulted in a
net gain being recognised within equity.
|
CONSOLIDATED
BALANCE SHEET
|
(unaudited)
|
€ million
|
As
at
30
June
2021
|
As
at
31
December
2020
|
As
at
30
June
2020
|
|
|
|||
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Goodwill
|
19,239
|
18,942
|
19,675
|
|
Intangible
assets
|
16,064
|
15,999
|
16,049
|
|
Property,
plant and equipment
|
10,521
|
10,558
|
11,374
|
|
Pension
asset for funded schemes in surplus
|
4,017
|
2,722
|
2,296
|
|
Deferred
tax assets
|
1,320
|
1,474
|
1,325
|
|
Financial
assets
|
960
|
876
|
815
|
|
Other
non-current assets
|
1,032
|
931
|
896
|
|
|
53,153
|
51,502
|
52,430
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current assets
|
|
|
|
|
Inventories
|
4,766
|
4,462
|
4,646
|
|
Trade
and other current receivables
|
6,478
|
4,939
|
6,955
|
|
Current
tax assets
|
272
|
372
|
336
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
4,182
|
5,548
|
4,855
|
|
Other
financial assets
|
885
|
808
|
1,100
|
|
Assets
held for sale
|
828
|
28
|
56
|
|
|
17,411
|
16,157
|
17,948
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total assets
|
70,564
|
67,659
|
70,378
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
liabilities
|
6,720
|
4,461
|
4,792
|
|
Trade
payables and other current liabilities
|
14,799
|
14,132
|
14,602
|
|
Current
tax liabilities
|
1,597
|
1,451
|
1,051
|
|
Provisions
|
514
|
547
|
530
|
|
Liabilities
held for sale
|
158
|
1
|
1
|
|
|
23,788
|
20,592
|
20,976
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Non-current liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
Financial
liabilities
|
20,822
|
22,844
|
24,013
|
|
Non-current
tax liabilities
|
143
|
149
|
289
|
|
Pensions
and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:
|
|
|
|
|
Funded
schemes in deficit
|
832
|
1,109
|
1,275
|
|
Unfunded
schemes
|
1,298
|
1,326
|
1,426
|
|
Provisions
|
592
|
583
|
642
|
|
Deferred
tax liabilities
|
3,361
|
3,166
|
3,276
|
|
Other
non-current liabilities
|
269
|
235
|
257
|
|
|
27,317
|
29,412
|
31,178
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities
|
51,105
|
50,004
|
52,154
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
|
|
|
|
|
Shareholders’
equity
|
17,016
|
15,266
|
15,639
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
2,443
|
2,389
|
2,585
|
|
Total equity
|
19,459
|
17,655
|
18,224
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Total liabilities and equity
|
70,564
|
67,659
|
70,378
|
|
CONSOLIDATED
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
|
(unaudited)
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
profit
|
3,397
|
3,542
|
|
Taxation
|
972
|
991
|
|
Share
of net (profit)/loss of joint ventures/associates and other
(income)/loss
|
|
|
|
from
non-current investments and associates
|
(125)
|
(89)
|
|
Net
monetary (gain)/loss arising from hyperinflationary
economies
|
29
|
(21)
|
|
Net
finance costs
|
153
|
249
|
|
Operating profit
|
4,426
|
4,672
|
|
|
|
|
|
Depreciation,
amortisation and impairment
|
860
|
987
|
|
Changes
in working capital
|
(1,233)
|
(1,215)
|
|
Pensions
and similar obligations less payments
|
(126)
|
(79)
|
|
Provisions
less payments
|
(29)
|
(66)
|
|
Elimination
of (profits)/losses on disposals
|
-
|
45
|
|
Non-cash
charge for share-based compensation
|
82
|
74
|
|
Other
adjustments
|
(19)
|
9
|
|
Cash flow from operating activities
|
3,961
|
4,427
|
|
|
|
|
|
Income
tax paid
|
(917)
|
(899)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flow from operating activities
|
3,044
|
3,528
|
|
|
|
|
|
Interest
received
|
61
|
80
|
|
Net
capital expenditure
|
(386)
|
(422)
|
|
Other
acquisitions and disposals
|
(275)
|
(623)
|
|
Other
investing activities
|
30
|
384
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities
|
(570)
|
(581)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Dividends
paid on ordinary share capital
|
(2,277)
|
(2,120)
|
|
Interest
paid
|
(288)
|
(336)
|
|
Change
in financial liabilities
|
(430)
|
602
|
|
Repurchase
of shares
|
(845)
|
-
|
|
Other
financing activities
|
(257)
|
(234)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities
|
(4,097)
|
(2,088)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents
|
(1,623)
|
859
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the
period
|
5,475
|
4,116
|
|
|
|
|
|
Effect
of foreign exchange rate changes
|
220
|
(253)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period
|
4,072
|
4,722
|
|
NOTES
TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
|
(unaudited)
|
1
ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES
|
The
condensed interim financial statements are prepared in accordance
with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as issued by
the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB), as adopted by
the EU (Regulation (EC) No 1606/2002) and as adopted for use in the
UK and except as set out below are consistent with the year ended
31 December 2020.
The
Interest Rate Benchmark Reform Amendments Phase 2 (Amendments to
IFRS 9, IAS 39 and IFRS 7) apply for the first time in 2021. We do
not have significant derivatives that refer to an interest rate
benchmark so these amendments do not have a significant impact on
the interim condensed consolidated financial statements of the
Group. The Group has not early adopted any standard, interpretation
or amendment that has been issued but is not yet
effective.
Management
have produced forecasts which have been modelled for different
plausible scenarios. These scenarios confirm the Group is able to
generate profits and cash in the year ended 31 December 2021 and
beyond. As a result, the Directors have a reasonable expectation
that the Group has adequate resources to meet its obligations as
they fall due for a period of at least 12 months from the date of
signing these financial statements. Accordingly, they continue to
adopt the going concern basis in preparing the half year financial
statements.
The
condensed interim financial statements are shown at current
exchange rates, while percentage year-on-year changes are shown at
both current and constant exchange rates to facilitate comparison.
The consolidated income statement on page 11, the consolidated
statement of comprehensive income on page 11, the consolidated
statement of changes in equity on page 12 and the consolidated cash
flow statement on page 14 are translated at exchange rates current
in each period. The consolidated balance sheet on page 13 is
translated at period-end rates of exchange.
The
condensed interim financial statements attached do not constitute
the full financial statements within the meaning of section 434 of
the UK Companies Act 2006. The comparative figures for the
financial year ended 31 December 2020 are not Unilever PLC’s
statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts of
Unilever for the year ended 31 December 2020 have been reported on
by the Group’s auditor and delivered to the Registrar of
Companies. The report of the auditor on these accounts was (i)
unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to
which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without
qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement
under section 498 (2) or (3) of the UK Companies Act
2006.
During
Q4 2020 the Group reorganised under Unilever PLC
(“PLC”) as its single parent company, a process which
we referred to as ‘Unification’. Prior to Unification
the Group operated with two parent companies, Unilever N.V.
(“NV”) and Unilever PLC (“PLC”), who
together with the group companies operated as a single economic
entity. Under the terms of Unification, all the NV ordinary shares
were cancelled and NV shareholders received one new PLC ordinary
share in exchange for each NV share owned. Unification resulted in
the issue of 1,460,713,122 new PLC ordinary shares. As at 30 June
2021 2,629,243,772 (December 2020: 2,629,243,772) PLC ordinary
shares were in issue and no NV ordinary shares were in issue
(December 2020: nil).
Prior
to Unification NV and PLC formed a single reporting entity for the
purposes of presenting consolidated financial statements.
Accordingly, group companies included in the comparative
information provided in the condensed interim financial statements
are PLC and NV and those companies controlled by NV or
PLC.
Refer
to note 1 to our 2020 consolidated financial statements for more
details on Unification.
|
2 SIGNIFICANT ITEMS WITHIN THE INCOME STATEMENT
|
Non-underlying items
These
include non-underlying items within operating profit and
non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net
profit:
●
Non-underlying items within operating
profit are gains or losses on business disposals,
acquisition and disposal related costs, restructuring costs,
impairment and other items within operating profit classified here
due to their nature and frequency.
●
Non-underlying items not in operating profit
but with net profit are net monetary gain/(loss) arising
from hyperinflationary economies and significant and unusual items
in net finance cost, share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and
associates and taxation.
Restructuring
costs are charges associated with activities planned by management
that significantly change either the scope of the business or the
manner in which it is conducted.
|
€ million
|
First
Half
|
|
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisition
and disposal-related credit/(costs)
|
(122)
|
(27)
|
|
Gain/(loss)
on disposal of group companies
|
7
|
6
|
|
Restructuring
costs
|
(306)
|
(391)
|
|
Non-underlying
items within operating profit before tax
|
(421)
|
(412)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
on non-underlying items within operating profit
|
97
|
109
|
|
Non-underlying
items within operating profit after tax
|
(324)
|
(303)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Net
monetary gain/(loss) arising from hyperinflationary
economies
|
(29)
|
21
|
|
Non-underlying
items not in operating profit but within net profit before
tax
|
(29)
|
21
|
|
|
|
|
|
Tax
impact of non-underlying items not in operating profit but within
net profit:
|
|
|
|
Taxes
related to the UK tax audit of intangible income and centralised
services
|
(6)
|
-
|
|
Hyperinflation
adjustment for Argentina deferred tax
|
(28)
|
(7)
|
|
Non-underlying
items not in operating profit but within net profit after
tax
|
(63)
|
14
|
|
Non-underlying items after tax(a)
|
(387)
|
(289)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Attributable to:
|
|
|
|
Non-controlling
interests
|
(20)
|
(14)
|
|
Shareholders’
equity
|
(367)
|
(275)
|
|
(a) Non-underlying
items after tax is calculated as non-underlying items within
operating profit after tax plus non-underlying items not in
operating profit but within net profit after tax.
|
||
|
3 SEGMENT INFORMATION – DIVISIONS
|
|
Second Quarter
|
Beauty
& Personal
Care
|
Home
Care
|
Foods
& Refreshment
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
5,320
|
2,617
|
5,355
|
13,292
|
|
2021
|
5,367
|
2,575
|
5,509
|
13,451
|
|
Change
(%)
|
0.9
|
(1.6)
|
2.9
|
1.2
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
2.6
|
-
|
0.2
|
1.1
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
(0.2)
|
(0.1)
|
|
Currency-related
items (%), of which:
|
(5.7)
|
(4.5)
|
(3.6)
|
(4.6)
|
|
Exchange rates changes (%)
|
(5.9)
|
(4.8)
|
(3.8)
|
(4.8)
|
|
Extreme price growth in hyperinflationary markets* (%)
|
0.2
|
0.3
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
4.2
|
3.2
|
6.8
|
5.0
|
|
Price* (%)
|
2.0
|
0.1
|
2.0
|
1.6
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
2.1
|
3.1
|
4.6
|
3.3
|
|
First Half
|
Beauty
& Personal
Care
|
Home
Care
|
Foods
& Refreshment
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
10,610
|
5,328
|
9,776
|
25,714
|
|
2021
|
10,407
|
5,182
|
10,202
|
25,791
|
|
Change
(%)
|
(1.9)
|
(2.7)
|
4.4
|
0.3
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
2.2
|
-
|
1.6
|
1.5
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
(0.2)
|
(0.1)
|
|
Currency-related
items (%), of which:
|
(7.1)
|
(6.8)
|
(4.8)
|
(6.1)
|
|
Exchange rates changes (%)
|
(7.3)
|
(6.9)
|
(5.0)
|
(6.3)
|
|
Extreme price growth in hyperinflationary markets* (%)
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
0.2
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
3.3
|
4.5
|
8.1
|
5.4
|
|
Price* (%)
|
1.4
|
(0.3)
|
2.1
|
1.3
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
1.8
|
4.8
|
5.8
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
2,403
|
744
|
1,525
|
4,672
|
|
2021
|
2,089
|
655
|
1,682
|
4,426
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating profit (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
2,495
|
817
|
1,772
|
5,084
|
|
2021
|
2,215
|
727
|
1,905
|
4,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
22.6
|
14.0
|
15.6
|
18.2
|
|
2021
|
20.1
|
12.6
|
16.5
|
17.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating margin (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
23.5
|
15.3
|
18.1
|
19.8
|
|
2021
|
21.3
|
14.0
|
18.7
|
18.8
|
|
* Underlying price
growth in excess of 26% per year in hyperinflationary economies has
been excluded when calculating the price growth in the tables
above, and an equal and opposite amount is shown as extreme price
growth in hyperinflationary markets.
|
||||
Turnover
growth is made up of distinct individual growth components namely
underlying sales, currency impact, acquisitions and disposals.
Turnover growth is arrived at by multiplying these individual
components on a compounded basis as there is a currency impact on
each of the other components. Accordingly, turnover growth is more
than just the sum of the individual components.
Underlying
operating profit represents our measure of segment profit or loss
as it is the primary measure used for the purpose of making
decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of
segments. Underlying operating margin is calculated as underlying
operating profit divided by turnover.
|
4 SEGMENT INFORMATION – GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
|
|
Second Quarter
|
Asia
/
AMET
/
RUB
|
The
Americas
|
Europe
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
6,063
|
4,210
|
3,019
|
13,292
|
|
2021
|
6,081
|
4,216
|
3,154
|
13,451
|
|
Change
(%)
|
0.3
|
0.1
|
4.5
|
1.2
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
0.2
|
3.3
|
-
|
1.1
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
-
|
(0.1)
|
(0.2)
|
(0.1)
|
|
Currency-related
items (%), of which:
|
(5.3)
|
(7.4)
|
0.7
|
(4.6)
|
|
Exchange rates changes (%)
|
(5.4)
|
(7.9)
|
0.7
|
(4.8)
|
|
Extreme price growth in hyperinflationary markets* (%)
|
0.1
|
0.6
|
-
|
0.2
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
5.7
|
4.8
|
4.0
|
5.0
|
|
Price* (%)
|
1.2
|
4.1
|
(0.6)
|
1.6
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
4.5
|
0.7
|
4.7
|
3.3
|
|
First Half
|
Asia
/
AMET
/
RUB
|
The
Americas
|
Europe
|
Total
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
11,807
|
8,227
|
5,680
|
25,714
|
|
2021
|
12,040
|
8,022
|
5,729
|
25,791
|
|
Change
(%)
|
2.0
|
(2.5)
|
0.9
|
0.3
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
1.4
|
2.8
|
-
|
1.5
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
-
|
(0.2)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.1)
|
|
Currency-related
items (%), of which:
|
(6.6)
|
(9.6)
|
0.1
|
(6.1)
|
|
Exchange rates changes (%)
|
(6.7)
|
(9.9)
|
0.1
|
(6.3)
|
|
Extreme price growth in hyperinflationary markets* (%)
|
0.1
|
0.4
|
-
|
0.2
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
7.7
|
5.1
|
1.1
|
5.4
|
|
Price* (%)
|
1.2
|
3.3
|
(1.1)
|
1.3
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
6.4
|
1.7
|
2.2
|
4.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating profit (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
2,265
|
1,532
|
875
|
4,672
|
|
2021
|
2,289
|
1,303
|
834
|
4,426
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating profit (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
2,394
|
1,622
|
1,068
|
5,084
|
|
2021
|
2,413
|
1,429
|
1,005
|
4,847
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Operating margin (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
19.2
|
18.6
|
15.4
|
18.2
|
|
2021
|
19.0
|
16.2
|
14.6
|
17.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying operating margin (%)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2020
|
20.3
|
19.7
|
18.8
|
19.8
|
|
2021
|
20.0
|
17.8
|
17.5
|
18.8
|
|
* Underlying price
growth in excess of 26% per year in hyperinflationary economies has
been excluded when calculating the price growth in the tables
above, and an equal and opposite amount is shown as extreme price
growth in hyperinflationary markets.
|
||||
|
5 TAXATION
|
The
effective tax rate for the first half was 22.7% compared to 22.3%
in 2020. The tax rate is calculated by dividing the tax charge by
pre-tax profit excluding the contribution of joint ventures and
associates.
Tax
effects of components of other comprehensive income were as
follows:
|
€ million
|
First
Half 2021
|
First
Half 2020
|
||||
|
|
Before
tax
|
Tax
(charge)/
credit
|
After
tax
|
Before
tax
|
Tax
(charge)/
credit
|
After
tax
|
|
Gains/(losses)
on
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Equity
instruments at fair value through other comprehensive
income
|
56
|
(1)
|
55
|
19
|
1
|
20
|
|
Cash
flow hedges
|
143
|
(6)
|
137
|
71
|
(28)
|
43
|
|
Remeasurements
of defined benefit pension plans(a)
|
1,404
|
(436)
|
968
|
(242)
|
41
|
(201)
|
|
Currency
retranslation gains/(losses)
|
653
|
(36)
|
617
|
(1,516)
|
35
|
(1,481)
|
|
Other comprehensive income
|
2,256
|
(479)
|
1,777
|
(1,668)
|
49
|
(1,619)
|
(a)
Remeasurement
of defined benefit pension plans in 2021 is driven by positive
investment returns and increase in interest rates.
|
6 COMBINED EARNINGS PER SHARE
|
The combined earnings per share calculations are based on the
average number of share units representing the combined ordinary
shares of NV and PLC in issue during the period, less the average
number of shares held as treasury shares.
In calculating diluted earnings per share and underlying earnings
per share, a number of adjustments are made to the number of
shares, principally the exercise of share plans by
employees.
Earnings per share for total operations for the six months were
calculated as follows:
|
|
2021
|
2020
|
|
|
||
|
Combined EPS – Basic
|
|
|
|
Net
profit attributable to shareholders’ equity (€
million)
|
3,121
|
3,284
|
|
|
|
|
|
Average
number of share units (millions of units)
|
2,618.7
|
2,619.0
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
EPS – basic (€)
|
1.19
|
1.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined EPS – Diluted
|
|
|
|
Net
profit attributable to shareholders’ equity (€
million)
|
3,121
|
3,284
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
average number of share units (millions of units)
|
2,627.2
|
2,627.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Combined
EPS – diluted (€)
|
1.19
|
1.25
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying EPS
|
|
|
|
Net
profit attributable to shareholder’s equity (€
million)
|
3,121
|
3,284
|
|
Post
tax impact of non-underlying items attributable to
shareholders’ equity (see note 2)
|
367
|
275
|
|
Underlying
profit attributable to shareholders’ equity (€
million)
|
3,488
|
3,559
|
|
|
|
|
|
Adjusted
average number of share units (millions of units)
|
2,627.2
|
2,627.2
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying
EPS – diluted (€)
|
1.33
|
1.35
|
In
calculating underlying earnings per share, net profit attributable
to shareholders’ equity is adjusted to eliminate the post-tax
impact of non-underlying items.
During
the period the following movements in shares have taken
place:
|
|
|
Millions
|
|
Number
of shares at 31 December 2020 (net of treasury shares)
|
|
2,622.0
|
|
Shares
repurchased under the share buyback programme
|
|
(18.0)
|
|
Net
movement in shares under incentive schemes
|
|
1.7
|
|
Number
of shares at 30 June 2021
|
|
2,605.7
|
|
7 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS
|
The
Group’s Treasury function aims to protect the Group’s
financial investments, while maximising returns. The fair value of
financial assets is the same as the carrying amount for 2021 and
2020. The Group’s cash resources and other financial assets
are shown below.
|
€ million
|
30 June
2021
|
31
December 2020
|
30 June
2020
|
||||||
|
|
Current
|
Non-current
|
Total
|
Current
|
Non-current
|
Total
|
Current
|
Non-current
|
Total
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash at
bank and in hand
|
2,625
|
-
|
2,625
|
2,764
|
-
|
2,764
|
2,672
|
-
|
2,672
|
|
Short-term
deposits(a)
|
1,411
|
-
|
1,411
|
2,764
|
-
|
2,764
|
2,176
|
-
|
2,176
|
|
Other
cash equivalents
|
146
|
-
|
146
|
20
|
-
|
20
|
7
|
-
|
7
|
|
|
4,182
|
-
|
4,182
|
5,548
|
-
|
5,548
|
4,855
|
-
|
4,855
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Other financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets at
amortised cost(b)
|
514
|
148
|
662
|
468
|
138
|
606
|
774
|
129
|
903
|
|
Financial assets at
fair value through
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
other
comprehensive income(c)
|
9
|
413
|
422
|
9
|
361
|
370
|
-
|
304
|
304
|
|
Financial assets at
fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
through
profit or loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives that
relate to
financial
liabilities
|
40
|
32
|
72
|
59
|
21
|
80
|
69
|
96
|
165
|
|
Other(d)
|
322
|
367
|
689
|
272
|
356
|
628
|
257
|
286
|
543
|
|
|
885
|
960
|
1,845
|
808
|
876
|
1,684
|
1,100
|
815
|
1,915
|
|
Total financial assets(e)
|
5,067
|
960
|
6,027
|
6,356
|
876
|
7,232
|
5,955
|
815
|
6,770
|
(a)
Short-term
deposits typically have maturity of up to 3 months.
(b)
Current
financial assets at amortised cost include short term deposits with
banks with maturities longer than three months excluding deposits
which are part of a recognised cash management process and loans to
joint venture entities. Non-current financial assets at amortised
cost include judicial deposits of €107 million (31 December
2020: €101 million, 30 June 2020: €94
million).
(c)
Included
within non-current financial assets at fair value through other
comprehensive income are equity investments of €408 million
(31 December 2020: €356 million, 30 June 2020: €284
million).
(d)
Current
other financial assets at fair value through profit or loss include
A- or higher rated money and capital market instruments. Included
within non-current financial assets at fair value through profit or
loss are assets in a trust to fund benefit obligations in the US,
an option over non-controlling interest in a subsidiary in Hong
Kong and investments in a number of companies and financial
institutions in North America, North Asia, South Asia and
Europe.
(e)
Financial
assets exclude trade and other current receivables.
The
Group is exposed to the risks of changes in fair value of its
financial assets and liabilities. The following tables summarise
the fair values and carrying amounts of financial instruments and
the fair value calculations by category.
|
€
million
|
Fair
value
|
Carrying
amount
|
||||
|
As at
30 June
2021
|
As at
31 December
2020
|
As at
30 June
2020
|
As at
30 June
2021
|
As at
31 December
2020
|
As at
30 June
2020
|
|
|
Financial assets
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Cash
and cash equivalents
|
4,182
|
5,548
|
4,855
|
4,182
|
5,548
|
4,855
|
|
Financial
assets at amortised cost
|
662
|
606
|
903
|
662
|
606
|
903
|
|
Financial
assets at fair value through other
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
comprehensive
income
|
422
|
370
|
304
|
422
|
370
|
304
|
|
Financial
assets at fair value through profit and loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives
|
72
|
80
|
165
|
72
|
80
|
165
|
|
Other
|
689
|
628
|
543
|
689
|
628
|
543
|
|
|
6,027
|
7,232
|
6,770
|
6,027
|
7,232
|
6,770
|
|
Financial liabilities
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Bank
loans and overdrafts
|
(593)
|
(411)
|
(851)
|
(593)
|
(411)
|
(851)
|
|
Bonds
and other loans
|
(26,587)
|
(26,936)
|
(28,206)
|
(24,683)
|
(24,585)
|
(25,837)
|
|
Lease
liabilities
|
(1,694)
|
(1,771)
|
(1,849)
|
(1,694)
|
(1,771)
|
(1,849)
|
|
Derivatives
|
(224)
|
(315)
|
(76)
|
(224)
|
(315)
|
(76)
|
|
Other
financial liabilities
|
(348)
|
(223)
|
(192)
|
(348)
|
(223)
|
(192)
|
|
|
(29,446)
|
(29,656)
|
(31,174)
|
(27,542)
|
(27,305)
|
(28,805)
|
|
€
million
|
Level
1
|
Level
2
|
Level
3
|
Level
1
|
Level
2
|
Level
3
|
Level
1
|
Level
2
|
Level
3
|
|
|
As at
30 June 2021
|
As at
31 December 2020
|
As at
30 June 2020
|
||||||
|
Assets at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive
income
|
7
|
3
|
412
|
5
|
3
|
362
|
5
|
4
|
295
|
|
Financial assets at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
through profit or loss:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives(a)
|
-
|
187
|
-
|
-
|
158
|
-
|
-
|
268
|
-
|
|
Other
|
323
|
-
|
366
|
300
|
-
|
328
|
260
|
-
|
283
|
|
Liabilities at fair value
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Derivatives(b)
|
-
|
(311)
|
-
|
-
|
(418)
|
-
|
-
|
(187)
|
-
|
|
Contingent Consideration
|
-
|
-
|
(159)
|
-
|
-
|
(140)
|
-
|
-
|
(155)
|
(a)
Includes €115 million (31
December 2020: €78 million, 30 June 2020: €103 million)
derivatives, reported within trade receivables, that hedge trading
activities.
(b)
Includes €(87) million (31
December 2020: € (103) million, 30 June 2020: €(111)
million) derivatives, reported within trade payables, that hedge
trading activities.
There were no significant changes in classification of fair value
of financial assets and financial liabilities since 31 December
2020. There were also no significant movements between the fair
value hierarchy classifications since 31 December
2020.
The fair value of trade receivables and payables is considered to
be equal to the carrying amount of these items due to their
short-term nature.
Calculation of fair values
The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are defined
as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to
transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market
participants at the measurement date. Methods and assumptions used
to estimate the fair values are consistent with those used in the
year ended 31 December 2020.
|
8 SHARE BUYBACK PROGRAMME
|
On 29
April 2021 Unilever announced a share buyback programme of up to
€3 billion, to be completed in 2021. The first tranche of the
share buyback programme commenced on 6 May 2021 and will end on or
before 27 August 2021 for an aggregate market value of €1.5
billion. At 30 June 2021 Unilever had repurchased 17,973,091 PLC
ordinary shares. Cash paid for the repurchase of PLC ordinary
shares was €845 million and €52 million is shown
within current financial liabilities. These shares have not been
cancelled and are recognised as treasury shares with the cost
reported within other reserves.
|
9 ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS
|
Total
consideration for acquisitions completed in the first half of 2021
was €284 million, of which cash was €269 million
(acquisitions completed in the first half of 2020: €5,526
million). We have finalised the opening balance sheets of the
Horlicks acquisitions and Vwash with no changes to the provisional
numbers reported at 31 December 2020.
In the
first half of 2021 the Group completed the following business
acquisitions:
|
Deal completion
date
|
Acquired
business
|
|
29
January 2021
|
Acquired
51% of Welly Health, which adds to our health and wellbeing
portfolio.
|
|
28
May 2021
|
Acquired Onnit Lab Inc, a holistic wellness
and lifestyle company based in the US. Onnit complements our
growing portfolio of innovative wellness and supplement
brands.
|
In
addition to the completed transactions above, on 14 June 2021 the
Group announced it had signed an agreement to acquire Paula’s
Choice, a digital-led premium skin care business from TA
Associates. The
transaction is expected to be completed in Q3 2021.
|
10 ASSETS AND LIABILITIES HELD FOR SALE
|
Included
within assets and liabilities held for sale as at 30 June 2021 are
those relating to a number of small Beauty & Personal Care and
Foods & Refreshment brands. Whilst no disposal has been agreed,
we have received non-binding offers for these brands.
|
€ million
|
30
June
2021
Total
|
31
December 2020
Total(a)
|
|
|
|
|
|
Property, plant and equipment held for sale
|
2
|
17
|
|
|
|
|
|
Disposal groups held for sale
|
|
|
|
Non-current
assets
|
710
|
5
|
|
Current
assets
|
116
|
6
|
|
Assets held for sale
|
828
|
28
|
|
|
|
|
|
Current
liabilities
|
50
|
1
|
|
Non-current
liabilities
|
108
|
-
|
|
Liabilities held for sale
|
158
|
1
|
Non-current
assets held for sale are mainly goodwill and brand trademarks.
Non-current liabilities are mainly deferred tax associated with
these brand trademarks.
On
disposal of an asset or disposal group the associated currency
translation difference, including amounts previously reported
within equity, is reclassified to the income statement as part of
the gain or loss on disposal. This is estimated to be a €55
million gain.
|
11 DIVIDENDS
|
The
Board has declared a quarterly interim dividend for Q2 2021 of
£0.3693 per Unilever PLC ordinary share or €0.4268 per
Unilever PLC ordinary share at the applicable exchange rate issued
by WM/Reuters on 20 July 2021.
|
Per
Unilever PLC ordinary share (traded on the London Stock
Exchange):
|
£
0.3693
|
|
Per
Unilever PLC ordinary share (traded on Euronext in
Amsterdam):
|
€
0.4268
|
|
Per
Unilever PLC American Depositary Receipt:
|
US$
0.5031
|
The
euro and US dollar amounts above have been determined using the
applicable exchange rates issued by WM/Reuters on
20 July
2021.
US
dollar cheques for the quarterly interim dividend will be mailed on
8 September 2021 to holders of record at the close of business on 6
August 2021.
The
quarterly dividend calendar for the remainder of 2021 will be as
follows:
|
|
Announcement
Date
|
Ex-Dividend
Date
|
Record
Date
|
Payment
Date
|
|
Q2 2021
Dividend
|
22 July
2021
|
5
August 2021
|
6
August 2021
|
8
September 2021
|
|
Q3 2021
Dividend
|
21
October 2021
|
4
November 2021
|
5
November 2021
|
1
December 2021
|
|
12 EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE
|
There
were no material post balance sheet events other than those
mentioned elsewhere in this report
|
DIRECTORS’ RESPONSIBILITY STATEMENT
|
The
Directors declare that, to the best of their
knowledge:
●
this condensed set
of interim financial statements, which have been prepared in
accordance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’,
as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board and
endorsed and adopted by the UK and the EU gives a true and fair
view of the assets, liabilities, financial position and profit or
loss of Unilever; and
●
the interim
management report gives a fair review of the information required
pursuant to regulations 4.2.7 and 4.2.8 of the Disclosure and
Transparency Rules (DTR) issued by the UK Financial Conduct
Authority and section 5:25d (8)/(9) of the Dutch Act on Financial
Supervision (Wet op het financieel toezicht).
Unilever’s
Directors are listed in the Annual Report and Accounts for
2020.
Details
of all current Directors are available on our website at
www.unilever.com
By
order of the Board
Alan
Jope
Graeme Pitkethly
Chief
Executive
Officer
Chief Financial Officer
22 July
2021