Unilever Q2 performance and food JV plans

In late July 2026 Unilever announced its strongest quarterly results in more than a decade. The first snapshot reported a 5.5% rise in underlying volume and a 5.8% increase in sales, driving turnover to €13.8 billion and prompting an upgrade of the 2026 sales‑growth outlook to 4‑6%. It also highlighted a 252% jump in pre‑tax profit for its Ghana subsidiary, attributing the surge to a favourable product mix and tighter cost control.

Two days later the company confirmed the same volume and sales gains, emphasizing strong demand in Latin America, India and a World Cup‑related boost to its Rexona brand in Brazil and Argentina. Unilever lifted its full‑year sales guidance to 4‑6% and noted operating profit of €4.89 billion, with shares rising about 6% in London trading. Both releases underscored progress on a £33.8 billion joint‑venture spin‑off of the food business with US rival McCormick, slated for completion by mid‑2027, despite some shareholder criticism. The updates together portray a period of robust top‑line growth, an upgraded outlook and advancing plans to separate the food division.