Unilever PLC Revenue & Financials

Unilever's financial trajectory in 2024 reflected the early stages of a credible turnaround under the Growth Action Plan. Full-year 2024 turnover was approximately 60.1 billion euros, with underlying sales growth of 4.2 percent — representing a healthier composition of approximately 2.9 percent volume growth and 1.3 percent price growth, compared to the inverted mix of 2022-2023 when price growth exceeded 10 percent and volumes were declining. Underlying operating profit reached approximately 10.3 billion euros, generating an underlying operating profit margin of approximately 17.1 percent, an improvement of approximately 70 basis points from the prior year. Net profit attributable to shareholders in 2024 was approximately 5.5 billion euros, with basic earnings per share of approximately 2.15 euros. The company generated free cash flow of approximately 7.5 billion euros, which funded a dividend program — Unilever has paid unbroken dividends since 1937 — as well as share buybacks totaling approximately 1.5 billion euros in 2024. By segment, Beauty and Wellbeing delivered underlying sales growth of approximately 5.8 percent, making it the fastest-growing division. Personal Care grew approximately 4.8 percent, Home Care approximately 4.3 percent, and Nutrition approximately 2.7 percent. The ice cream division, which faced unusually cold European weather conditions in summer 2024, grew underlying sales by approximately 2.4 percent. Unilever's balance sheet carried net debt of approximately 21.2 billion euros at year-end 2024, reflecting the company's acquisition history and ongoing investment needs. The debt-to-EBITDA ratio of approximately 2.0x remains within investment-grade parameters and has been a focus of management attention as they seek to maintain financial flexibility during the ice cream separation process. Unilever's shares on the London Stock Exchange returned approximately 14 percent in calendar year 2024, modestly outperforming the FTSE 100 index.