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 May, 2008
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/ S H M A Dumoulin
By S H M A Dumoulin
Secretary
Date: 08 May, 2008
EXHIBIT INDEX
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EXHIBIT NUMBER EXHIBIT DESCRIPTION
99 Notice to London Stock Exchange dated
08 May, 2008, 1st Quarter Results
Exhibit 99
FIRST QUARTER RESULTS 2008
KEY FINANCIALS
(unaudited)
EUR million First Quarter 2008
Increase/(Decrease)
Current Current Constant
rates rates rates
Turnover 9 571 0 % 6 %
Operating profit 1 815 39 % 46 %
Pre-tax profit 1 782 34 % 39 %
Net profit 1 407 34 % 39 %
EPS (Euros) 0.47 35 % 39 %
A STRONG START TO THE YEAR
Financial Highlights
- Underlying sales growth of 7.2%.
- Operating margin of 19.0%, including EUR517 million disposal profits.
Underlying improvement in operating margin of 0.3 percentage points before
restructuring and disposals.
- Earnings per share up 35%, boosted by the disposal profits.
Operational Highlights
- Broad-based growth across regions and categories, with Developing and
Emerging markets particularly strong.
- Increasing contribution from pricing, up 4.8%, in response to rising
commodity costs.
- Further progress with accelerated restructuring plan including the start-up
of three multi-country organisations in Europe and steps to increase supply
chain productivity.
- Sale of Boursin and extension of the Pepsi/Lipton JV completed in the first
quarter. Acquisition of Inmarko, the leading Russian ice cream company,
completed in April.
GROUP CHIEF EXECUTIVE COMMENT
"We have had a good start to the year, with strong organic growth across our
categories and an underlying improvement in operating margin.
We continue to invest behind our brands, while taking the necessary pricing
action to recover a sharp increase in commodity costs. We have a strong
innovation programme for 2008, with many important initiatives already in the
market. We expect our productivity and value improvement initiatives to continue
to deliver excellent results.
The disciplined execution of our strategy, together with the combined advantage
of strong brands, a product range serving consumer's everyday needs and our
broad geographical footprint, leave us well placed to deliver competitive growth
with an underlying improvement in operating margin in 2008, despite challenging
conditions.
While it is early in the year, we now expect underlying sales growth in 2008 to
exceed our 3-5% target range."
Patrick Cescau, Group Chief Executive 8 May 2008
UNILEVER FIRST QUARTER RESULTS 2008
In the following commentary we report underlying sales growth (USG) at constant
exchange rates, excluding the effects of acquisitions and disposals. Turnover
includes the impact of exchange rates, acquisitions and disposals. Unilever
uses 'constant rate' and 'underlying' measures primarily for internal
performance analysis and targeting purposes. We also comment on trends in
operating margins before RDIs (restructuring, disposals, impairments and other
items), and use the movements in Ungeared Free Cash Flow and Return On Invested
Capital to measure progress against our longer-term value creation goals.
Unilever believes that such measures provide additional information for
shareholders on underlying business performance trends. Such measures are not
defined under IFRS and are not intended to be a substitute for GAAP measures of
turnover, operating margin, profit, EPS and cash flow. Further information
about these measures is available on our website at www.unilever.com/ourcompany/
investorcentre
1. SUMMARY OF BUSINESS PERFORMANCE FOR THE FIRST QUARTER
Underlying sales grew by 7.2%, with 2.3% from volume and a 4.8% increase in
price.
Europe grew by 2.3% against a relatively strong comparator. There was continued
excellent growth in Russia and solid performances across most of Western Europe,
notably the UK, but a weaker quarter in Germany. The Americas grew 6.4% with
sales up 4.3% in North America and 9.6% in Latin America, helped by further
positive developments in Mexico and Brazil and robust sales elsewhere. Asia
Africa grew 14.2% with double-digit increases in almost every country in the
region.
Growth was broad-based, with all categories up by more than 5%. This came from
a combination of price growth, new product innovation and increasing consumption
in Developing and Emerging markets. Tea, ice cream, spreads and laundry were
particularly strong. Growth in personal care of 5.8% was lower than in a strong
first quarter of 2007, reflecting a more even phasing of innovation.
Advertising and promotions increased broadly in line with sales, with almost all
of the additional investment going to advertising in priority markets.
Commodity cost increases accelerated further in the quarter. We have continued
to manage through this with a combination of innovation-led growth, savings
programmes and price increases, to deliver an underlying improvement in
operating margin.
2. FINANCIAL COMMENTARY
2.1 Turnover
Underlying sales growth was 7.2%. Turnover growth, including the effects of
disposals and the strengthening of the Euro against other currencies, was 0.5%.
2.2 Operating profit
Operating profit was 39% higher, and operating margin, at 19.0%, was 5.3
percentage points higher than a year ago. This included EUR517 million profits
on disposals, mainly from the sale of the Boursin cheese business and the
extension of the Pepsi/Lipton joint venture for ready-to-drink tea. Before the
impact of restructuring and disposals the operating margin showed an underlying
increase of 0.3 percentage points.
Commodity costs increased by EUR400 million, or 4.2 percentage points of sales,
in the quarter.
Advertising and promotions increased in absolute terms, and was 0.1 percentage
points lower as a percentage of sales.
2.3 Finance costs and tax
Costs of financing net borrowings were 16% higher than last year reflecting a
combination of higher average net debt and higher interest rates.
The tax rate in the quarter was 22%, in line with last year. The rate benefited
from low tax on disposal profits and favourable settlement of outstanding tax
issues. The underlying tax rate for the year is expected to be closer to our
long-term guidance of 26%.
2.4 Joint ventures, associates and other income from non-current investments
Our share in net profit from joint ventures increased to EUR44 million. This
largely reflects the extension of the Pepsi/Lipton joint venture for
ready-to-drink tea, including a one-time gain in Portugal.
Share of net profit of associates and other income from non-current investments,
at EUR9 million, was EUR64 million lower than last year, entirely due to lower
profits on disposals.
2.5 Net profit and earnings per share
Net profit increased by 31% and EPS by 35%. EPS growth, before the impact of
restructuring, disposals and other items, was 2% at current rates, or 6% at
constant rates.
2.6 Share buy-backs
As part of the planned 2008 share buy-back of at least EUR1.5 billion, we bought
back 29.2 million shares at a value of EUR604 million in the first quarter.
2.7 Cash flow
Net cash flow from operating activities was EUR0.1 billion lower than last year.
In addition to the normal seasonal increase in working capital, there was an
additional outflow of EUR0.3 billion largely as a result of higher
commodity-driven prices and the planned build up of stocks during the change
programme. The higher working capital outflow was partly offset by lower cash
contributions to pension funds and favourable tax rebates.
2.8 Balance sheet
Working capital shows the normal seasonal increase during the first quarter. In
addition, increases in raw materials costs have flowed through into working
capital balances. Trade payables and other current liabilities include the
amount outstanding for the buy-back of shares under an irrevocable contract.
The overall funding position of the Group's pension arrangements improved during
the first quarter as the impact of higher discount rates outweighed falls in
asset values. The overall net liability for all arrangements was EUR0.8
billion at the end of the quarter, down from EUR1.1 billion at the start of the
year.
The euro has strengthened against the currencies of many of the group's
operations, reducing the translated values of assets and liabilities.
3. OPERATIONAL REVIEW
3.1 Europe
First Quarter 2008
%
Underlying
% sales
2008 2007 Change growth
Turnover (EUR million) 3 494 3 544 (1.4) 2.3
Operating Margin (%) 28.3 14.4
Impact of RDIs (%)* 11.9 (1.3)
* Restructuring, business disposals and other items
Growth
Underlying sales grew 2.3%, all from pricing. The overall growth rate was
slightly lower than the average of the last twelve months, reflecting a strong
comparator in the first quarter of 2007.
Central and Eastern Europe (see also note 4 on page 12) grew 10.5%, mostly from
volume. Another excellent quarter of growth in Russia was supported by robust
sales in Poland and Hungary.
Western Europe grew 1.2%. The Netherlands, UK and Italy all saw a combination
of volume and price growth, while France was slightly ahead in challenging
conditions. Sales in Germany were lower, after a strong finish to last year.
This reflects the timing of promotions and price increases, and a competitive
market.
There were again some extra sales in the quarter ahead of price increases and
systems implementations, similar to the effect in the last quarter of 2007, with
no net impact in the quarter.
Profitability
The operating margin of 28.3% includes the profits on the disposal of Boursin
and extension of the Pepsi/Lipton joint venture for ready-to-drink tea. Before
these items, and restructuring charges, there was an improvement in margin of
0.7 percentage points. This improvement has been driven by lower overhead costs
as we benefit from the ongoing restructuring programme. Pricing action and
materials savings programmes have helped to mitigate the effect of commodity
cost increases.
Accelerating change
Further progress was made on the portfolio shaping and restructuring programmes.
We completed the sale of Boursin cheese and the expansion of the ready-to-drink
tea joint venture with Lipton to include all countries in Europe. In April we
completed the acquisition of Inmarko ice cream in Russia. Three new
multi-country organisations started up in January. Supply chain improvements
are well under way, and now include the announcement of centralisation of
transport management in Poland.
Innovation
Vitality is the key theme of our innovation programme in Europe. At the same
time a number of initiatives are being pursued which drive margin improvement
through cost reduction and value enhancement.
We are strengthening the nutritional credentials of our brands through the new
Knorr 'eat colour' soups range and the Rama 'healthy oils' campaign. Our
partnership with the Rainforest Alliance has seen the certification of Lipton
Yellow Label teas across the region and PG Tips in the UK. In ice cream we have
extended the Frusi range of fruit, yoghurt and cereal snacks, and launched new
Magnum 'minis'. Lower fat spreads and dressings, such as Hellmann's new 'free
range egg' extra light mayonnaise, offer a healthy option while at the same time
reducing our dependence on costly vegetable oils.
A global initiative for the 'Dirt is Good' laundry brand has seen the
introduction of new 'Active Clean' products which offer improved cleaning
performance as well as longer-lasting freshness through encapsulated fragrance
technology. The latest Axe fragrance, 'Chocolate' has been launched across the
region, and Clear shampoo continues to build its presence in Russia with new
variants. The amount of packaging in our products is being reduced through the
moves to concentrated liquid laundry products, upside-down roll-on deodorants
that also provide superior performance, and a new design for Dove bodywash.
3.2 The Americas
First Quarter 2008
%
Underlying
% sales
2008 2007 Change growth
Turnover (EUR million) 3 139 3 231 (2.8) 6.4
Operating Margin (%) 13.9 14.4
Impact of RDIs (%)* (0.8) (0.6)
* Restructuring, business disposals and other items
Growth
Underlying sales grew 6.4%, including price increases of 5.9%.
In the US, the aggregate market growth of our categories has remained steady.
Within this, foods categories are higher, due to pricing, while personal care
markets are weaker. Our own sales in the US grew 4.9%, slightly ahead of the
market.
Our business in Latin America returned to strong growth, up by 9.6%. This
included a further improvement in Mexico and a solid performance in Brazil, as
well as good performances in Argentina, Chile and Colombia.
Profitability
The operating margin, at 13.9%, was 0.5 percentage points lower than a year ago.
On an underlying basis the margin was 0.3 percentage points lower, reflecting
increased investment in advertising and promotions as a percentage of sales, all
behind priority initiatives in Latin America. Pricing action and savings
programmes fully offset the impact of higher commodity costs.
Accelerating change
We are progressing with the disposal process for our North American laundry
business and have had interest from a number of parties. Meanwhile, the
business continues to perform satisfactorily and we have a healthy programme of
innovations.
The move to a single head office location for the US business is well under way
and will be complete by the middle of this year. The integration of the US ice
cream business is progressing and the Canadian ice cream integration is
complete. At the beginning of May we transferred our financial shared services
in Latin America to CapGemini.
Innovation
We launched Wishbone 'Bountifuls' dressings, full of flavour and less than one
gram of fat per serving, and a new Hellmann's light mayonnaise with an even
better taste. These initiatives are helping to stimulate increased consumption
of lower fat products. Hellmann's has also introduced an olive oil based
mayonnaise and we have launched Ragu and Bertolli sauces in convenient
microwaveable pouches.
In the US, the move to concentrated liquids is proceeding to plan, and in the
first quarter we introduced Snuggle 'FRESH Release' fabric softeners. The new
'Dirt is Good' laundry mix with improved cleaning and longer-lasting freshness
has been introduced in Brazil, Argentina and Chile.
The new Dove 'Go Fresh' range includes skin cleansing bars, body washes,
deodorants, mists and shampoos. Axe 'Bullet' in a new pocket size and '
proximity' body sprays with more subtle fragrances broaden the brand's appeal.
3.3 Asia Africa
First Quarter 2008
%
Underlying
% sales
2008 2007 Change growth
Turnover (EUR million) 2 938 2 753 6.7 14.2
Operating Margin (%) 13.2 11.9
Impact of RDIs (%)* - (0.7)
* Restructuring, business disposals and other items
Growth
Underlying sales growth accelerated to 14.2%. This included continued volume
gain of 7.5% and price increases of 6.3%.
The good performance remains very broad-based, with most countries, and most
categories, growing more than 10%. India, China and Turkey have been
particularly strong in terms of both sales and market share gain. Australia,
Japan and Thailand were weaker against relatively tough comparators in the first
quarter of last year.
Profitability
The operating margin, at 13.2%, was 1.3 percentage points higher than last year.
The underlying improvement was 0.6 percentage points, driven by overheads
savings programmes and the benefit of higher sales on fixed costs and marketing
investment. Higher commodity costs were largely offset by pricing action and
materials savings programmes.
Accelerating change
Plans to move to a single SAP system for the region are progressing, with South
Africa going live in January and joining Turkey, Arabia and Israel where the
implementation is already complete. Further roll-outs are planned through 2008
and 2009.
We have announced the formation of a regional supply chain organisation, to be
based in Singapore.
Innovation
Clear shampoo continues to strengthen its position in the countries where it was
launched last year. An updated Sunsilk range with new variants and advertising
campaign oriented to younger consumers has been introduced in India, Indonesia
and the Philippines. The Pond's range has been revitalised in most of the
larger countries with the launch of 'Age Miracle' and 'Flawless White' and the
core moisturing range is now being renovated.
In laundry, we have introduced multi-chamber sachets under the Surf Excel brand
in India. In Turkey a series of initiatives include the new global 'Dirt is
Good' mix, and more 'natural' propositions for Surf and Rinso.
The new Knorr bouillon jellies for preparing thick soups are building
distribution in China. Lipton green teas have been launched in Turkey, and
gained Rainforest Alliance certification in Japan. Amaze nutritional snacks,
launched last year in Turkey, have been introduced in India.
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 'expects', '
anticipates', 'intends' or the negative of these terms and other similar
expressions of future performance or results, including financial objectives to
2010, 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 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, including, among others, competitive pricing and
activities, consumption levels, costs, the ability to maintain and manage key
customer relationships and supply chain sources, currency values, interest
rates, the ability to integrate acquisitions and complete planned divestitures,
physical risks, environmental risks, the ability to manage regulatory, tax and
legal matters and resolve pending matters within current estimates, legislative,
fiscal and regulatory developments, political, economic and social conditions in
the geographic markets where the Group operates and new or changed priorities of
the Boards. 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 the
Annual Report on Form 20-F. 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.
CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
INCOME STATEMENT
(unaudited)
EUR million First Quarter
Increase/
2008 2007 (Decrease)
Current Constant
rates rates
Continuing operations:
Turnover 9 571 9 528 - % 6 %
Operating profit 1 815 1 302 39 % 46 %
After (charging)/crediting:
Restructuring, business disposals and other items (see note 3) 393 (86)
Net finance costs (86) (70)
Finance income 24 27
Finance costs (145) (131)
Pensions and similar obligations 35 34
Share in net profit/(loss) of joint ventures 44 27
Share in net profit/(loss) of associates 9 48
Other income from non-current investments - 25
Profit before taxation 1 782 1 332 34 % 39 %
Taxation (375) (280)
Net profit from continuing operations 1 407 1 052 34 % 39 %
Net profit/(loss) from discontinued operations - 22
Net profit for the period 1 407 1 074 31 % 36 %
Attributable to:
Minority interests 68 61
Shareholders' equity 1 339 1 013 32 % 37 %
Combined earnings per share
Continuing operations (Euros) 0.47 0.34 37 % 42 %
Continuing operations - diluted (Euros) 0.46 0.33 37 % 42 %
Discontinued operations (Euros) - 0.01
Discontinued operations - diluted (Euros) - 0.01
Total operations (Euros) 0.47 0.35 35 % 39 %
Total operations - diluted (Euros) 0.46 0.34 34 % 39 %
STATEMENT OF RECOGNISED INCOME AND EXPENSE
(unaudited)
EUR million First Quarter
2008 2007
Fair value gains/(losses) on financial instruments net of tax (76) 1
Actuarial gains/(losses) on pension schemes net of tax 77 450
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax (671) (13)
Net income/(expense) recognised directly in equity (670) 438
Net profit for the period 1 407 1 074
Total recognised income and expense for the period 737 1 512
Attributable to:
Minority interests 37 61
Shareholders' equity 700 1 451
CASH FLOW STATEMENT
(unaudited)
EUR million First Quarter
2008 2007
Operating activities
Cash flow from operating activities 268 451
Income tax paid (160) (249)
Net cash flow from operating activities 108 202
Investing activities
Interest received 38 11
Net capital expenditure (217) (194)
Acquisitions and disposals 497 14
Other investing activities 71 64
Net cash flow from/(used in) investing activities 389 (105)
Financing activities
Dividends paid on ordinary share capital (39) (157)
Interest and preference dividends paid (61) (85)
Change in financial liabilities 265 647
Share buy-back programmes (604) (92)
Other movements on treasury stock 4 13
Other financing activities (2) (36)
Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities (437) 290
Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents 60 387
Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the year 901 710
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes (27) 63
Cash and cash equivalents at the end of period 934 1 160
BALANCE SHEET
(unaudited)
EUR million As at As at As at
31 March 31 December 31 March
2008 2007 2007
Non-current assets
Goodwill 11 804 12 244 12 393
Intangible assets 4 353 4 511 4 744
Property, plant and equipment 5 942 6 284 6 165
Pension asset for funded schemes in surplus 2 155 2 008 1 779
Deferred tax assets 935 1 003 1 164
Other non-current assets 1 229 1 324 1 240
Total non-current assets 26 418 27 374 27 485
Current assets
Inventories 4 305 3 894 4 140
Trade and other current receivables 4 790 4 194 4 833
Current tax assets 239 367 160
Cash and cash equivalents 1 254 1 098 1 535
Other financial assets 167 216 266
Non-current assets held for sale 142 159 17
Total current assets 10 897 9 928 10 951
Current liabilities
Financial liabilities (4 121) (4 166) (5 102)
Trade payables and other current liabilities (8 372) (8 017) (8 096)
Current tax liabilities (430) (395) (664)
Provisions (868) (968) (874)
Liabilities associated with non-current assets held for sale - (13) -
Total current liabilities (13 791) (13 559) (14 736)
Net current assets/(liabilities) (2 894) (3 631) (3 785)
Total assets less current liabilities 23 524 23 743 23 700
Non-current liabilities
Financial liabilities due after one year 5 678 5 483 4 353
Non-current tax liabilities 218 233 211
Pensions and post-retirement healthcare benefits liabilities:
Funded schemes in deficit 853 827 785
Unfunded schemes 2 077 2 270 3 305
Provisions 741 694 881
Deferred tax liabilities 1 294 1 213 1 108
Other non-current liabilities 226 204 252
Total non-current liabilities 11 087 10 924 10 895
Equity
Shareholders' equity 11 977 12 387 12 234
Minority interests 460 432 571
Total equity 12 437 12 819 12 805
Total capital employed 23 524 23 743 23 700
NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS
(unaudited)
1 ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES
The condensed interim financial statements are based on International Financial
Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU and IFRS as issued by the
International Accounting Standards Board, and have been prepared in accordance
with International Accounting Standard (IAS) 34 'Interim Financial Reporting'.
The basis of preparation is consistent with that applied for the year ended 31
December 2007.
The condensed 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 income statement on page 8 and the statement of recognised income and
expense and the cash flow statement on page 9 are translated at rates current in
each period. The balance sheet on page 10 is translated at period-end rates of
exchange.
The financial statements attached do not constitute the full financial
statements within the meaning of Section 240 of the UK Companies Act 1985. Full
accounts for Unilever for the year ended 31 December 2007 will be delivered to
the Registrar of Companies. The auditors' report on these accounts was
unqualified and did not contain a statement under Section 237(2) or Section 237
(3) of the UK Companies Act 1985.
2 NON-GAAP MEASURES
In our financial reporting we use certain measures that are not recognised under
IFRS or other generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP). We do this
because we believe that these measures are useful to investors and other users
of our financial statements in helping them to understand underlying business
performance. Wherever we use such measures, we make clear that these are not
intended as a substitute for recognised GAAP measures. Wherever appropriate and
practical, we provide reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures.
The principal non-GAAP measure which we apply in our quarterly reporting is
underlying sales growth, which we reconcile to changes in the GAAP measure
turnover in note 4. We also report annually against two further non-GAAP
measures: Ungeared Free Cash Flow and Return on Invested Capital. Further
information about these measures and their reconciliation to GAAP measures is
given on on our website at www.unilever.com/ourcompany/investorcentre
3 SIGNIFICANT ITEMS WITHIN THE INCOME STATEMENT
In our income statement reporting we recognise restructuring costs, profits and
losses on business disposals and certain other one-off items, which we
collectively term RDIs. We disclose on the face of our income statement the
total value of such items that arise within operating profit. In our operating
review by geographic segment and in note 4 we highlight the impact of these
items on our operating margin. The impact of these items, and of similar items
arising within other elements of our income statement, on our reported net
profit for the first quarter was as follows:
EUR million First Quarter
2008 2007
RDIs within operating profit:
Restructuring (124) (121)
Business disposals 517 30
Other one-off items - 5
393 (86)
Tax effect of RDIs within operating profit: (61) 35
RDIs arising below operating profit: 24 80
Total impact of RDIs on net profit 356 29
The impact of RDIs on reported Earnings Per Share is given in note 9.
4 SEGMENTAL ANALYSIS (Continuing operations)
On 28 February 2008 Unilever announced a number of organisational changes. As
part of these changes, our operations in Central and Eastern Europe will in
future be managed within an enlarged region together with those
in Asia and Africa, with Western Europe becoming a standalone region. Since
these changes are taking place progressively during the remainder of 2008, we
are continuing to report quarterly against our structure as it applied
in 2007. In our fourth quarter reporting for 2008 we will provide additional
analysis of our regional results against the new structure, including restated
amounts for each of the quarters of 2008, and will report on the new basis
thereafter.
By geography - First Quarter
EUR million Europe Americas Asia Africa Total
Turnover
2007 3 544 3 231 2 753 9 528
2008 3 494 3 139 2 938 9 571
Change (1.4)% (2.8)% 6.7 % 0.5 %
Impact of:
Exchange rates (2.0)% (7.7)% (6.3)% (5.3)%
Acquisitions 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.1 % 0.0 %
Disposals (1.6)% (1.1)% (0.4)% (1.1)%
Underlying sales growth 2.3 % 6.4 % 14.2 % 7.2 %
Price 2.5 % 5.9 % 6.3 % 4.8 %
Volume (0.2)% 0.5 % 7.5 % 2.3 %
Operating profit
2007 510 465 327 1 302
2008 991 437 387 1 815
Change current rates 94.4 % (6.2)% 18.4 % 39.4 %
Change constant rates 96.4 % 2.5 % 29.2 % 46.2 %
Operating margin
2007 14.4 % 14.4 % 11.9 % 13.7 %
2008 28.3 % 13.9 % 13.2 % 19.0 %
Includes restructuring, business disposals and other items
2007 (1.3)% (0.6)% (0.7)% (0.9)%
2008 11.9 % (0.8)% 0.0 % 4.1 %
By operation - First Quarter
Savoury, Ice cream Home care
dressings and Personal and
EUR million and spreads beverages care other Total
Turnover
2007 3 375 1 614 2 749 1 790 9 528
2008 3 426 1 622 2 720 1 803 9 571
Change 1.6 % 0.5 % (1.1)% 0.7 % 0.5 %
Impact of:
Exchange rates (4.3)% (5.5)% (6.2)% (5.5)% (5.3)%
Acquisitions 0.0 % 0.2 % 0.0 % 0.0 % 0.0 %
Disposals (1.6)% (1.1)% (0.4)% (1.2)% (1.1)%
Underlying sales growth 7.9 % 7.3 % 5.8 % 7.8 % 7.2 %
Operating profit
2007 457 114 542 189 1 302
2008 915 216 515 169 1 815
Change current rates 100.1 % 89.5 % (5.0)% (10.7)% 39.4 %
Change constant rates 107.6 % 97.8 % 1.3 % (4.8)% 46.2 %
Operating margin
2007 13.5 % 7.1 % 19.7 % 10.6 % 13.7 %
2008 26.7 % 13.3 % 18.9 % 9.4 % 19.0 %
5 TAXATION
The tax rate for the first quarter was 22%, in line with the first quarter last
year. The tax rate is calculated by dividing the tax charge by pre-tax profit
excluding the contribution of joint ventures and associates. The tax charge for
the first quarter includes EUR18 million (2007: EUR61 million) relating to
United Kingdom taxation.
6 RECONCILIATION OF NET PROFIT TO CASH FLOW FROM OPERATING ACTIVITIES
EUR million First Quarter
2008 2007
Net profit 1 407 1 074
Taxation 375 282
Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates and other income from
non-current investments (53) (100)
Net finance costs 86 70
Operating profit (continuing and discontinued operations) 1 815 1 326
Depreciation, amortisation and impairment 233 242
Changes in working capital (1 222) (956)
Pensions and similar provisions less payments (31) (78)
Restructuring and other provisions less payments (9) (63)
Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals (540) (55)
Non-cash charge for share-based compensation 22 37
Other adjustments - (2)
Cash flow from operating activities 268 451
7 NET DEBT
As at As at
31 March 31 December
EUR million 2008 2007
Total financial liabilities (9 799) (9 649)
Financial liabilities due within one year (4 121) (4 166)
Financial liabilities due after one year (5 678) (5 483)
Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet 1 254 1 098
Cash and cash equivalents as per cash flow statement 934 901
Add bank overdrafts deducted therein 320 197
Financial assets 167 216
Net debt (8 378) (8 335)
On 21 February 2008 Unilever issued Swiss franc notes to the value of CHF 600
million (EUR360 million) in two tranches: CHF 250 million with an interest rate
of 3.125% and maturing in January 2012, and CHF 350 million at 3.5% maturing in
March 2015.
8 MOVEMENTS IN EQUITY
EUR million First Quarter
2008 2007
Equity at 1 January 12 819 11 672
Total recognised income and expense for the period 737 1 512
Movement in treasury stock (1 110) (494)
Share-based payment credit 22 30
Dividends paid to minority shareholders (6) (6)
Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax (16) (3)
Other movements in equity (9) 94
Equity at the end of the period 12 437 12 805
During the quarter we completed the purchase of shares to the value of EUR604
million under the share buy-back programme announced in February 2008.
9 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 stock.
In calculating diluted earnings per share, a number of adjustments are made to
the number of shares, principally the following:
(i) conversion into PLC ordinary shares in the year 2038 of shares in a group
company under the arrangements for the variation of the Leverhulme Trust and
(ii) the exercise of share options by employees.
Earnings per share for total operations for the first quarter were calculated as
follows:
2008 2007
Combined EPS - Basic Millions of units
Average number of combined share units 2 839.9 2 890.5
EUR million
Net profit attributable to shareholders' equity 1 339 1 013
Combined EPS (Euros) 0.47 0.35
Combined EPS - Diluted Millions of units
Adjusted average number of combined share units 2 936.6 2 984.9
Combined EPS - diluted (Euros) 0.46 0.34
Impact of RDIs on Earnings Per Share
EUR million
Total impact of RDIs on reported net profit (see note 3) 356 29
Impact of RDIs on basic earnings per share (Euros) 0.12 0.01
Earnings per share in US Dollars and Sterling
Combined EPS (Dollars) 0.71 0.46
Combined EPS - diluted (Dollars) 0.68 0.44
Combined EPS (Pounds) 0.36 0.23
Combined EPS - diluted (Pounds) 0.35 0.23
The numbers of shares included in the calculation of earnings per share is an
average for the period. During the period the following movements took place in
the numbers of shares included in the basic earnings per share calculation:
Millions
Number of shares at 31 December 2007 (net of treasury stock) 2 853.1
Net movements in shares under incentive schemes 3.0
Share buy-back (29.2)
Number of shares at 31 March 2008 2 826.9
10 OTHER INFORMATION
On 4 February 2008 Unilever announced that it had signed an agreement to acquire
Inmarko, the leading Russian ice cream company, for an undisclosed amount. The
transaction was completed on 2 April 2008. The company had a turnover in 2007
of approximately EUR115 million.
On 10 April 2008, Unilever entered into a settlement with Mars to bring an end
to all claims made by Mars concerning Unilever's distribution arrangements for
the sale of impulse ice cream. Prior to the settlement, Mars had initiated
proceedings against Unilever in a number of European jurisdictions. The
settlement does not imply any admission of liability on Unilever's part. The
payment to be made by Unilever to Mars under the terms of the settlement has
been fully provided for and is not material to Unilever's results.
Supplementary information in US Dollars and Sterling is available on our website
at: www.unilever.com/ourcompany/investorcentre
The results for the second quarter and for the first half year 2008 will be
published on 31 July 2008. The Annual General Meetings (AGM's) for Unilever PLC
and Unilever N.V. will be held on 14 May and 15 May 2008 respectively.
ENQUIRIES
Media: Media Relations Team Investors: Investor Relations Team
UK +44 20 7822 6805 tim.johns@unilever.com +44 20 7822 6830 investor.relations@unilever.com
or +44 20 7822 6010 trevor.gorin@unilever.com
NL +31 10 217 4844
tanno.massar@unilever.com
There will be a web cast of the results presentation available at:
www.unilever.com/ourcompany/investorcentre/results/quarterlyresults/default.asp
8 May 2008