Tariff talks to dominate IMF-World Bank meetings April 21, 2025 Finance ministers are poised to use this week’s International Monetary Fund (IMF) and World Bank’s gathering to strike up trade deals with bilateral partners as uncertainty continues to swirl around Donald Trump’s tariff plan. Senior politicians and economic heavyweights are flocking to Washington for the biannual gathering put on by the two global agencies, with [...]
Unilever to update on turnaround under new boss amid mounting trade pressure April 20, 2025 Unilever is expected to outline fresh details of its attempted turnaround this week, after replacing its chief executive in March. The consumer giant, which makes goods from Marmite to Dove soap, reports its first quarter results on the 24th April. Experts said the company could give more insight into its plans under new boss Fernando [...]
Unilever acquires sustainable deodorant Wild April 1, 2025 Unilever has finally confirmed its acquisition of refillable deodorant brand Wild as it looks to build its presence in premium beauty and self care. The terms of the deal were not disclosed, but it is believed to value Wild at £230m. Wild, which was started in 2019 by business partners Charlie Bowes-Lyon and Freddy Ward, [...]
WPP bets big on AI to regain industry leadership March 22, 2025 Artificial intelligence (AI) isn’t just reshaping industries, it’s upending them. Nowhere is this more evident than in advertising, where AI is reshaping how brands create, deliver and optimise campaigns. While many firms are still finding their feet with AI, WPP is claiming it has hit the ground running. For the global communications giant, the AI [...]
Unilever accused of ousting Ben and Jerry’s chief over activism March 19, 2025 Ben and Jerry’s has accused parent company Unilever of removing its chief executive David Stever over the firm’s political activism. In a court filing, the ice cream brand alleged that Unilever had violated a merger agreement by trying to silence its “social mission”, advocated by Stever. “Unilever has repeatedly threatened Ben & Jerry’s personnel, including [...]
Unilever rushes to sell underperforming food labels as it focuses on ‘power brands’ March 11, 2025 Unilever will speed up the sale of its underperforming labels and focus on its 30 power brands, according to its chief executive. Fernando Fernandez said the FTSE-100 company would act at a “faster pace” and that the firm has around €1bn (£840m) of brands in its Foods Europe division, which “don’t fit well” with its company’s portfolio. [...]
Unilever CEO Hein Schumacher makes surprise resignation February 25, 2025 Unilever chief Hein Schumacher has unexpectedly resigned after less than two years in the role, as the company attempts to push forward with its cost-cutting programme. Schumacher will be succeeded by Unilever’s financial chief Fernando Fernandez from next week and leave the firm at the end of May, the firm said. The news comes amid [...]
Unilever: Amsterdam chosen for primary ice cream listing in blow for London February 13, 2025 Shares in Dove and Marmite maker Unilever have dipped despite an uptick in profit, with some additional concern as London will miss out on the primary listing of its ice cream arm. Shares dipped more than seven per cent in early trades due to “exceptionally weak” guidance, analysts said. “Unfortunately for Unilever… the market doesn’t tend [...]
Time to breakup? Which UK stocks might benefit from selling assets January 27, 2025 Selling assets is a fashionable activity for UK stocks: WH Smith announced this morning that it is exploring a possible sale of its high street business to focus on its travel trade, following in the footsteps of Reckitt Bensicker, Marston’s and DCC, all of which have sold assets to unlock value recently. The news from [...]
FTSE 100 hits all-time high as investors bet on interest rate cuts January 17, 2025 The FTSE 100 has hit a new all-time high this morning, surpassing the previous peaks it reached in spring last year, as investors ramp up their bets on an interest rate cut by the Bank of England next month. The value of London’s 100 largest listed companies has grown 3.2 per cent in the last [...]