Blueprint
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 October, 2016
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.
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UNILEVER
PLC
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/S/
T.E. LOVELL
By T.E.
LOVELL
SECRETARY
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Date:
13 October, 2016
EXHIBIT INDEX
------------------------
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EXHIBIT
NUMBER
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EXHIBIT
DESCRIPTION
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99
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Notice
to London Stock Exchange dated 13 October 2016
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3rd
Quarter Results
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Exhibit
99
UNILEVER
TRADING STATEMENT THIRD QUARTER 2016
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CONTINUED COMPETITIVE GROWTH IN CHALLENGING MARKETS
|
Nine months highlights
●
Underlying sales growth
4.2%, ahead of our markets,
with price up 2.8% and volume up 1.3%
●
Emerging markets underlying sales growth 7.2% with price up 5.5%
and volume up 1.6%
●
Sales increased by 4.7% at constant exchange rates while turnover,
which is at current rates, declined 1.8%
Third quarter highlights
●
Underlying sales growth 3.2% with price up 3.6% and volume down
(0.4)% against a strong quarter last year
●
Sales increased by 3.4% at constant exchange rates while turnover,
which is at current rates, declined 0.1%
|
Paul Polman: Chief Executive Officer statement
|
“Our
business continues to demonstrate its resilience by growing
competitively and consistently in tough market conditions.
Underlying sales growth of 4.2% in the first nine months, including
over 7% in emerging countries, was ahead of our markets across all
four categories. This was driven by strong innovations in support
of our category strategies. During the third quarter, we have made
further progress in reshaping our portfolio, adding businesses in
fast-growing segments with the acquisitions of Dollar Shave Club,
Blueair and Seventh Generation.
With
markets remaining soft and volatile, we have continued to transform
our business at an accelerated pace. We are progressing well with
the fast implementation of our change programmes: net revenue
management, zero based budgeting and ‘Connected 4
Growth’, making our organisation more agile and responsive to
market needs. These actions keep us on track for another year of
volume growth ahead of our markets, steady improvement in core
operating margin and strong cash flow.”
13
October 2016
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THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONAL REVIEW: CATEGORIES
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Third
Quarter 2016
|
Nine
Months 2016
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(unaudited)
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Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
Turnover
|
USG
|
UVG
|
UPG
|
|
|
€bn
|
%
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%
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%
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€bn
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%
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%
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%
|
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Unilever Total
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13.4
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3.2
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(0.4)
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3.6
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39.7
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4.2
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1.3
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2.8
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Personal
Care
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5.2
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3.1
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(0.2)
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3.3
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15.0
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4.8
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2.3
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2.5
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Foods
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2.9
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1.7
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(1.4)
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3.2
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9.1
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2.1
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(0.8)
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3.0
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Home
Care
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2.5
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3.9
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(1.2)
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5.1
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7.5
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5.6
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1.5
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4.0
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Refreshment
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2.8
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4.5
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1.3
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3.2
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8.1
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4.2
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1.9
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2.3
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Our markets: Consumer demand
remained weak and in the markets in which we operate volumes have
slowed further and are flat in aggregate. This is particularly the
case in Latin America where currency devaluation has pushed up the
cost of living of our consumers, squeezing disposable
incomes.
Unilever overall performance: Underlying sales grew 3.2% in the third quarter
against a strong comparator last year and a deterioration of
trading conditions in a number of countries. Underlying sales
growth in emerging markets was 5.6% whilst in developed markets it
was flat. Due to a negative currency impact in the quarter of
(3.4)% turnover was virtually stable at €13.4
billion.
Personal Care
Personal Care continued to grow the core of our brands through
innovations while extending into more premium segments. The slower
growth in the third quarter reflects intense competition in many of
our markets as well as the effect of a strong comparator last year.
Deodorants performed well driven by Rexona Antibacterial with 10x more odour protection which
is now in 40 countries and by the continued success of dry sprays
in North America. In hair, growth was driven by the
successful Sunsilk re-launch and by the TRESemmé
Beauty-Full Volume range with unique
reverse conditioning system. In skin care, Simple demonstrated good growth driven by innovations in
the naturals segment.
Foods
Foods sustained its return to growth with good performances in
savoury, led by cooking products in emerging markets, and
dressings, driven by the squeezy packs with proprietary easy-out
technology and organic variants. Knorr and Hellmann’s
have successfully been updating their
ranges with new packaging highlighting the naturalness of their
ingredients. Hellmann’s
has also broadened its offering with
hot and barbecue sauces. In spreads, the rate of decline has slowed
in North America but continued in Europe as a result of the market
contraction.
Home Care
Growth in Home Care was driven by innovations in the higher margin
segments and the successful roll-out of Omo with enhanced formulation and improved cleaning
technology which has reached 27 countries. We launched the
new Surf handwash powder with water-saving technology in
South Africa. Fabric conditioners continued to perform well
supported by new variants of Comfort Intense with double-encapsulated fragrance
technology that delivers long-lasting freshness. In household care,
growth was driven by the successful Cif Power and Shine sprays and the roll-out of
Domestos
toilet blocks in Europe. In India, we
introduced a new Vim bar which allows for better and faster degreasing
of the five toughest stains.
Refreshment
Ice cream had another strong season helped as last year by good
European weather and strong innovations behind our premium brands.
These included the new Magnum Double range, the Ben & Jerry’s
‘Wich sandwich and dairy free
range, as well as new variants of Talenti, the premium gelato brand which has grown 60%
since acquisition two years ago. In leaf tea, we are continuing to
build our presence in more premium segments with good growth
from T2, green and specialty teas. We are also
introducing Pure Leaf, already well-established in ready-to-drink tea,
as a premium brand in our leaf tea portfolio in the United
States.
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THIRD QUARTER OPERATIONAL REVIEW: GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
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Third
Quarter 2016
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Nine
Months 2016
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(unaudited)
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Turnover
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USG
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UVG
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UPG
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Turnover
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USG
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UVG
|
UPG
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|
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€bn
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%
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%
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%
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€bn
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%
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%
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%
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Unilever Total
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13.4
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3.2
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(0.4)
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3.6
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39.7
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4.2
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1.3
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2.8
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Asia/AMET/RUB
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5.6
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3.9
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0.6
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3.3
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16.9
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5.0
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2.9
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2.0
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The
Americas
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4.4
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5.8
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(2.0)
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8.0
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12.7
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6.9
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(0.6)
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7.5
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Europe
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3.4
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(1.1)
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-
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(1.1)
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10.1
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(0.3)
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1.2
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(1.5)
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Third
Quarter 2016
|
Nine
Months 2016
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(unaudited)
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Turnover
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USG
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UVG
|
UPG
|
Turnover
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USG
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UVG
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UPG
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|
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€bn
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%
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%
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%
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€bn
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%
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%
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%
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Developed
markets
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5.8
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-
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0.4
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(0.4)
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17.1
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0.2
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0.9
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(0.8)
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Emerging
markets
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7.6
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5.6
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(0.9)
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6.6
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22.6
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7.2
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1.6
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5.5
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North
America
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2.3
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2.1
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0.9
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1.2
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6.8
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1.2
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0.7
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0.5
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Latin
America
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2.1
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9.7
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(5.0)
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15.5
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5.9
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12.9
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(2.0)
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15.3
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Asia/AMET/RUB
Growth in the quarter slowed reflecting weaker market growth. In
India, prices in skin cleansing increased in response to rising
commodity costs, dampening consumer demand for the category in the
quarter. The Philippines demonstrated another quarter of
double-digit growth while Turkey and South Africa delivered
price-led growth. Sales in China were slightly down due to intense
price competition from local brands in laundry and some destocking
related to the continued rapid channel shift to
e-commerce.
The Americas
In North America growth improved further supported by strong
innovations in deodorants, dressings and ice cream. Hair performed
well in a highly competitive environment while the rate of decline
in spreads has slowed. Latin America delivered another quarter of
growth ahead of our markets despite a tough comparator. This has
been driven by pricing to recover higher input costs in local
currencies. Volumes declined as consumers reacted to the impact of
the harsh economic environment.
Europe
Our markets in Europe remained challenging with subdued volume
growth and continued price deflation in many countries. Ice cream
performed strongly against an outstanding season in the prior year
but high promotional intensity adversely impacted our Home Care and
Personal Care performances and the contraction of the margarine
market weighed on our Foods growth, most notably in the United
Kingdom and France. We continued to see good momentum in Central
and Eastern Europe, the Netherlands and Spain.
BRAZIL TAX LITIGATION
In
common with many other businesses operating in Brazil, Unilever has
a number of open legal proceedings related to indirect taxes. Where
it is probable that an outflow of economic benefit will be
required, a provision is recognised in the Group balance sheet, as
noted on page 129 of our 2015 Annual Report and Accounts. Where an
outflow of economic benefits is possible but not probable, no
provision is recorded and the matters are disclosed as contingent
liabilities, as noted on pages 130 and 131 of our 2015 Annual
Report and Accounts. Within our estimated total contingent
liabilities there is a risk adjusted amount in respect of a claim
for €565 million for indirect taxes in Brazil, that has been
determined in Unilever’s favour in a prior judicial review
but will now be heard in a higher court in Q4 2016. We continue to
believe that our case is strong.
COMPETITION INVESTIGATIONS
As
previously disclosed, along with other consumer products companies
and retail customers, Unilever is involved in a number of ongoing
investigations by national competition authorities. 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.
FINANCIAL POSITION
There has been no material change to
Unilever’s financial position since the published
2016 Interim financial statements.
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 believe this information, along with
comparable GAAP measurements, is useful to investors and our
management uses these financial measures, along with the most
directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our
operating performance and value creation. The non-GAAP measures
used in this announcement are underlying sales growth and
underlying volume growth. The reconciliation of these measures to
changes in the GAAP measure turnover is provided on page 5. Please
refer to page 38 and 39 of our 2015 Annual Report and Accounts for
definitions of non-GAAP measures and explanations of their
relevance.
DIVIDENDS
The
Boards have declared a quarterly interim dividend for Q3 2016 at the following rates which are
equivalent in value between the two companies at the rate of
exchange applied under the terms of the Equalisation
Agreement:
|
Per
Unilever N.V. ordinary share:
|
€
0.3201
|
|
Per
Unilever PLC ordinary share:
|
£
0.2890
|
|
Per
Unilever N.V. New York share:
|
US$
0.3546
|
|
Per
Unilever PLC American Depositary Receipt:
|
US$
0.3546
|
The
quarterly interim dividends have been determined in euros and
converted into equivalent sterling and US dollar amounts using
exchange rates issued by WM/Reuters on 11 October
2016.
US
dollar cheques for the quarterly interim dividend will be mailed on
7 December 2016 to holders of record at the close of business on 28
October 2016. In the case of the NV New York shares, Netherlands
withholding tax will be deducted.
The
quarterly dividend calendar for the remainder of 2016 will be as
follows:
|
|
Announcement
Date
|
NV NY
and PLC ADR ex-Dividend Date
|
NV and
PLC ex-Dividend Date
|
Record
Date
|
Payment
Date
|
|
Quarterly
dividend – for Q3 2016
|
13
October 2016
|
26
October 2016
|
27
October 2016
|
28
October 2016
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7
December 2016
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SEGMENT INFORMATION - CATEGORIES
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|
|
|
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|
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|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
Personal
Care
|
Foods
|
Home
Care
|
Refreshment
|
Total
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
5,065
|
3,066
|
2,520
|
2,745
|
13,396
|
|
2016
|
5,110
|
2,980
|
2,486
|
2,804
|
13,380
|
|
Change (%)
|
0.9
|
(2.8)
|
(1.3)
|
2.2
|
(0.1)
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange rates
(%)
|
(2.8)
|
(4.2)
|
(4.7)
|
(2.5)
|
(3.4)
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
1.0
|
-
|
-
|
0.4
|
0.5
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
(0.4)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.4)
|
(0.1)
|
(0.3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
3.1
|
1.7
|
3.9
|
4.5
|
3.2
|
|
Price
(%)
|
3.3
|
3.2
|
5.1
|
3.2
|
3.6
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
(0.2)
|
(1.4)
|
(1.2)
|
1.3
|
(0.4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months
|
Personal
Care
|
Foods
|
Home
Care
|
Refreshment
|
Total
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
14,953
|
9,507
|
7,671
|
8,257
|
40,388
|
|
2016
|
14,932
|
9,148
|
7,436
|
8,147
|
39,663
|
|
Change (%)
|
(0.1)
|
(3.8)
|
(3.1)
|
(1.3)
|
(1.8)
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange rates
(%)
|
(6.2)
|
(5.5)
|
(8.1)
|
(5.5)
|
(6.2)
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
1.8
|
-
|
-
|
0.3
|
0.7
|
|
Disposals (%)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.1)
|
(0.1)
|
(0.2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying sales growth
(%)
|
4.8
|
2.1
|
5.6
|
4.2
|
4.2
|
|
Price
(%)
|
2.5
|
3.0
|
4.0
|
2.3
|
2.8
|
|
Volume (%)
|
2.3
|
(0.8)
|
1.5
|
1.9
|
1.3
|
|
SEGMENT INFORMATION - GEOGRAPHICAL AREA
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
(unaudited)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Third Quarter
|
Asia
/
AMET
/
RUB
|
The
Americas
|
Europe
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
5,562
|
4,267
|
3,569
|
13,396
|
|
2016
|
5,616
|
4,346
|
3,418
|
13,380
|
|
Change
(%)
|
1.0
|
1.9
|
(4.2)
|
(0.1)
|
|
Impact
of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange
rates (%)
|
(2.5)
|
(4.3)
|
(3.6)
|
(3.4)
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
0.1
|
0.9
|
0.5
|
0.5
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
(0.4)
|
(0.4)
|
-
|
(0.3)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
3.9
|
5.8
|
(1.1)
|
3.2
|
|
Price
(%)
|
3.3
|
8.0
|
(1.1)
|
3.6
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
0.6
|
(2.0)
|
-
|
(0.4)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Nine Months
|
Asia
/
AMET
/
RUB
|
The
Americas
|
Europe
|
Total
|
|
|
|
Turnover (€ million)
|
|
|
|
|
|
2015
|
17,011
|
13,036
|
10,342
|
40,388
|
|
2016
|
16,898
|
12,624
|
10,141
|
39,663
|
|
Change
(%)
|
(0.7)
|
(3.2)
|
(1.9)
|
(1.8)
|
|
Impact of:
|
|
|
|
|
|
Exchange
rates (%)
|
(5.3)
|
(10.4)
|
(2.3)
|
(6.2)
|
|
Acquisitions
(%)
|
0.2
|
1.5
|
0.8
|
0.7
|
|
Disposals
(%)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.3)
|
(0.1)
|
(0.2)
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
Underlying sales growth (%)
|
5.0
|
6.9
|
(0.3)
|
4.2
|
|
Price
(%)
|
2.0
|
7.5
|
(1.5)
|
2.8
|
|
Volume
(%)
|
2.9
|
(0.6)
|
1.2
|
1.3
|
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; inability to find sustainable solutions to
support long-term growth; customer relationships; the recruitment
and retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply
chain; the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of
safe and high quality products; secure and reliable IT
infrastructure; successful execution of acquisitions, divestitures
and business transformation projects; economic and political risks
and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high and
ethical standards; and failure to comply with laws and regulations,
including tax laws. 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 Group’s Annual
Report on Form 20-F for the year ended 31 December 2015 and the
Annual Report and Accounts 2015.
ENQUIRIES
|
Media: Media Relations Team
|
Investors: Investor Relations Team
|
|
UKororNLor+44 73 4206 8784+44 79 0110 3950+44 78 2504 9151+32 49
4604 906+31 10 217 4844merlin.koene@unilever.comwilliam.davies@unilever.comlouise.phillips@unilever.com freek.bracke@unilever.comels-de.bruin@unilever.com
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+44 20
7822 6830
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investor.relations@unilever.com
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There
will be a web cast of the results presentation available
at:
www.unilever.com/ourcompany/investorcentre/results/quarterlyresults/default.asp