6-K 1 d585990d6k.htm 6-K 6-K

 

 

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

 

 

FORM 6-K

 

 

REPORT OF FOREIGN ISSUER

Pursuant to Rule 13a-16 or 15d-16

of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934

For the month of August, 2019

 

 

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  ☒            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  ☒

If “Yes” is marked, indicate below the file number assigned to the registrant

in connection with Rule 12g3-2(b): 82-             

 

 

 


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/ R SOTAMAA

BY   R SOTAMAA
  CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND GROUP SECRETARY

Date: 29 August 2019


LOGO

2019 FIRST HALF YEAR RESULTS

Performance highlights (unaudited)

 

Underlying performance

   

GAAP measures

 
           vs 2018                vs 2018  

First Half

           

Underlying sales growth (USG)(a)

       3.3   Turnover    26.1bn       (0.9 )% 

Underlying operating margin(b)

     19.3     50bps     Operating margin(b)      17.6     40bps  

Underlying earnings per share(b)

   1.27       5.0   Earnings per share(b)    1.14       3.4

Quarterly dividend payable in September 2019

             0.4104 per share  

 

(a)

USG does not include price growth in Venezuela and Argentina. See page 6 for further details.

(b)

2018 numbers have been restated following adoption of IFRS 16. See note 1 and note 9 for more details.

First half highlights

 

   

Underlying sales grew 3.3% with volume 1.2% and price 2.1%

 

   

Emerging markets underlying sales growth 6.2% with volume 2.5% and price 3.6%

 

   

Turnover decreased 0.9% driven by the sale of our spreads business, partially offset by a 1.1% currency benefit

 

   

Underlying operating margin increased 50bps with 30bps from gross margin

 

   

Operating margin increased by 40bps

 

   

Underlying earnings per share increased 5.0%, with constant EPS up 3.0%

Alan Jope: Chief Executive Officer statement

“We have delivered consistent growth within our guided range for 2019, led by our emerging markets. Accelerating growth remains our top priority and we continue to evolve our portfolio and seek out fast growth channel and geographical opportunities, as well as address those performance hotspots where growth is falling short of our aspirations.

For the full year, we continue to expect underlying sales growth to be in the lower half of our multi-year 3-5% range, an improvement in underlying operating margin that keeps us on track for the 2020 target and another year of strong free cash flow. Our sustainable business model and portfolio of purpose-led brands are key to delivering superior long-term financial performance.”

Underlying sales growth (USG), underlying volume growth (UVG), underlying price growth (UPG), underlying operating profit (UOP), underlying operating margin (UOM), underlying earnings per share (underlying EPS), constant underlying EPS, underlying effective tax rate, free cash flow (FCF) and net debt are non-GAAP measures (see pages 6 to 9)

25 July 2019

 


FIRST HALF OPERATIONAL REVIEW: DIVISIONS

 

     First Half 2019  

(unaudited)

   Turnover      USG(a)      UVG     UPG(a)      Change in
underlying
operating
margin(b)
 
     bn      %      %     %      bps  

Unilever

     26.1        3.3        1.2       2.1        50  

Beauty & Personal Care

     10.7        3.3        1.7       1.6        100  

Home Care

     5.4        7.4        2.8       4.5        120  

Foods & Refreshment

     10.0        1.3        (0.1     1.4        (40

 

(a)

Wherever referenced in this announcement, USG and UPG do not include any price growth in Venezuela and Argentina. See pages 6 to 7 on non-GAAP measures for further details.

(b)

2018 numbers have been restated following adoption of IFRS 16. See note 1 and note 9 for more details.

Our markets: Growth in our markets was mixed. Market growth in Europe and North America was held back by the impact of weather on ice cream sales. In the emerging markets we continued to see good momentum particularly in China and South East Asia. India saw strong market growth, though it moderated, as expected. Argentina remains hyperinflationary and high levels of pricing continue to weigh on consumer demand.

Unilever overall performance: Underlying sales grew 3.3% with 1.2% from volume and 2.1% from price. Emerging markets grew 6.2%, led by Asia/AMET/RUB, which saw broad-based geographic growth, whilst developed markets were weaker.

In the first half, we estimate the 2018 truckers’ strike in Brazil increased USG by 50bps. Growth was suppressed by weak ice cream performance; a result of poorer weather, particularly in Europe following two years of very strong summers. 80bps of Argentina price growth in the quarter was excluded from USG due to hyperinflationary status. Turnover in the first half decreased 0.9% driven by the sale of the spreads business, partially offset by a currency benefit of 1.1%.

Underlying operating margin improved by 50bps. Gross margin was up 30bps, helped by efficiencies from our 5-S programme. Overheads had an adverse impact on underlying operating margin of 10bps. Our change programmes have helped to address stranded costs following the disposal of spreads and we continue to invest in the ongoing digital transformation of our business. Brand and marketing investment decreased compared to the prior year, as we continued to deliver zero based budgeting savings ahead of target, with an increased focus on digital spend. More than two thirds of savings have been reinvested, largely behind innovations and new brand launches.

Beauty & Personal Care

Underlying sales grew 3.3%, with 1.7% from volume and 1.6% from price.

Deodorants performed well, supported by our Rexona Clinical and Dove Zero aluminium ranges, alongside the extension of Love, Beauty & Planet. New formats continued to drive sales in skin cleansing, including the incremental launch of Dove bath bombs as well as Dove foaming handwash. Good performance in skin care was supported by on-trend innovations including Pond’s Instabright glow cream. Hair care saw only modest growth for the first half, with a challenging second quarter particularly in the US. Oral care grew over the half, helped by innovations such as Closeup natural whitening toothpaste and Signal White Now. Our prestige brands, including Dermalogica, Hourglass, and REN, saw double digit growth overall, and we announced the acquisitions of Garancia and Tatcha, which are not yet included in USG. Turnover increased by 6.3% including a 2.2% exchange rate impact and 0.6% impact of acquisitions.

Underlying operating margin in Beauty & Personal Care increased by 100bps, driven by efficiency programmes in brand and marketing investment.

USG, UVG, UPG, UOP, UOM, underlying EPS, constant underlying EPS, underlying effective tax rate, FCF and net debt are non-GAAP measures (see pages 6 to 9)

 

2


Home Care

Underlying sales grew 7.4%, with 2.8% from volume and 4.5% from price.

Fabric solutions performed strongly, benefiting from premiumisation and the execution of our strategy to move consumers into products with additional consumer benefits, including Omo Perfect Wash in Brazil. China saw good performance from the relaunch of Omo while in India Surf Excel continued to grow double digit. Seventh Generation continues to be rolled out in Europe and North Asia, building on the naturals trend. Home and hygiene grew well, supported by double digit growth from Sunlight, and we launched innovations such as the Cif Cleaner Choices range with natural cleaning ingredients. In Indonesia we used our Home Care brands to run the mosque cleaning programme during Ramadan, an example of purpose-led growth. Good growth in fabric sensations was supported by the launch of a redesigned Comfort core range, focusing on clothes care, as well as a natural variants range. The life essentials category was flat. Turnover increased by 7.2% including a (0.4)% exchange rate impact and a 0.2% impact of acquisitions.

Underlying operating margin in Home Care increased by 120bps, with improvements in gross margin, as well as efficiencies in brand and marketing investment and overheads.

Foods & Refreshment

Underlying sales grew 1.3%, with (0.1)% from volume and 1.4% from price.

In tea, sales declined with volumes impacted by weak consumer demand in developed markets. This was partially offset by black tea in emerging markets and our fruit, herbal and green tea ranges, including Pukkas premium herbal offering. Sales in dressings were flat with volumes slightly down as competitive intensity remained high. Despite poorer weather compared to the previous two years, ice cream grew slightly over the half. We saw good ice cream performance in Asia/AMET/RUB and from innovations such as Magnum white chocolate and cookies. Savoury performance was helped by the launch of new snack pot variants meeting the trend towards convenience. The introduction of Hellmanns burger and spicy dipping sauces continue to broaden the brand beyond core mayonnaise, and Sir Kensingtons performed well. Turnover decreased by (10.9)% including 0.6% exchange rate impact and (12.5)% impact of acquisitions and disposals.

Underlying operating margin in Foods & Refreshment decreased by 40bps, as a result of an adverse impact on overheads related to the disposal of our spreads business.

 

3


FIRST HALF OPERATIONAL REVIEW: GEOGRAPHICAL AREA

 

     First Half 2019  

(unaudited)

   Turnover      USG(a)     UVG     UPG(a)     Change in
underlying
operating
margin(b)
 
     bn      %     %     %     bps  

Unilever

     26.1        3.3       1.2       2.1       50  

Asia/AMET/RUB

     12.2        6.2       2.9       3.2       70  

The Americas

     8.1        2.1       (0.1     2.2       80  

Europe

     5.8        (0.6     (0.2     (0.4     (40

 

     First Half 2019  

(unaudited)

   Turnover      USG(a)      UVG      UPG(a)  
     bn      %      %      %  

Developed markets

     10.4        (0.7      (0.6      (0.1

Emerging markets

     15.7        6.2        2.5        3.6  

North America

     4.6        0.1        (0.5      0.7  

Latin America

     3.5        4.9        0.5        4.4  

 

(a)

Wherever referenced in this announcement, USG and UPG do not include any price growth in Venezuela and Argentina. See pages 6 to 7 on non-GAAP measures for further details.

(b)

2018 numbers have been restated following adoption of IFRS 16. See note 1 and note 9 for more details.

Asia/AMET/RUB

Underlying sales grew 6.2% with 2.9% from volume and 3.2% from price. South East Asia grew well with accelerating growth in Indonesia, the Philippines and Vietnam helped by locally relevant innovations delivered through our C4G organisation. Turkey continued to see good volume growth despite double digit price growth in response to the devaluation of the Lira. Sales in China were up high-single digit led by premium innovation and strong growth in e-commerce. Growth in South Asia was good, where we continue to outperform in moderating markets. Africa saw low single digit growth despite disruption surrounding the elections in Nigeria and the introduction of a new currency in Zimbabwe. Turnover increased by 3.9% including 0.2% exchange rate impact and (2.3)% impact of acquisitions and disposals.

Underlying operating margin was up 70bps driven by brand and marketing investment efficiencies and improvement in gross margin.

The Americas

Latin America grew 4.9% against a weak comparator due to the Brazil truckers’ strike in 2018. In Brazil the consumer environment continued to normalise and our business was helped by innovations including Rexona Clinical Protection. In Argentina, which continues to be hyperinflationary, volumes declined 9.1% in markets that declined close to 20%. All Argentina price growth continues to be excluded from USG and UPG.

Underlying sales growth in North America was flat with price growth of 0.7% but volume down 0.5%. In Beauty & Personal Care, good momentum in deodorants was offset by weak performance in hair. Foods continued to be impacted by high levels of promotional activity, whilst ice cream declined slightly. Home Care delivered strong growth as Seventh Generation performed well and Love, Home & Planet, which builds on the success on Love Beauty & Planet, had a promising start.

Turnover declined by 0.7% including 3.1% exchange rate impact and (4.4)% impact from acquisitions and disposals.

Underlying operating margin was up 80bps led by brand and marketing investment efficiencies and a small improvement in gross margin.

Europe

Underlying sales declined 0.6% with volumes down 0.2% and price down 0.4%. Our European business faced challenges from continued price deflation and adverse weather. Our e-commerce and discounters channels grew strongly, helped by our channel-focused divisional strategies. The broader retail environment remains difficult, particularly in Germany where we saw significant decline. Southern Europe performed strongly, helped by growth in Home Care and Foods & Refreshment. Central and Eastern Europe continued to grow well, with good performance in all categories, particularly fabric sensations. Turnover declined by (11.4)% including (10.7) impact of acquisitions and disposals.

Underlying operating margin was down 40bps, impacted by the sale of spreads and a decline in gross margin due to negative pricing.

 

4


ADDITIONAL COMMENTARY ON THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS – FIRST HALF 2019

Restatement of 2018 balances

2018 numbers have been restated following adoption of IFRS 16. More detail is provided in note 1 and note 9 on page 15 and pages 21 to 24 of the financial statements.

Finance costs and tax

Net finance costs increased by 63 million to 351 million in the first half of 2019. The increase was due to exchange rate losses on cash balances in Zimbabwe of 40 million following the significant devaluation of the new Zimbabwe dollar as well as higher cost of debt.

The effective tax rate was 26.8% versus 25.9% in the same period last year, primarily due to a non-taxable credit in acquisition and disposal related costs in 2018. The effective tax rate on underlying operating profit was 26.2% compared to 26.5% in the prior year.

Joint ventures, associates and other income from non-current investments

Net profit from joint ventures and associates was 85 million, compared to 83 million in the prior year. Income from non-current investments was 2 million, down from 5 million in 2018.

Earnings per share

Underlying earnings per share increased by 5.0% to 1.27. The adverse impact of the spreads disposal was offset by the 2018 share buy back programme. Improvement in underlying operating margin and a positive currency impact were partially offset by the adverse finance costs. Underlying earnings per share at constant rates increased by 3.0%. These underlying measures exclude the post-tax impact of business disposals, acquisition and disposal-related costs, restructuring costs, impairments, one-off items within operating profit and any other significant unusual items within net profit but not operating profit.

Diluted earnings per share increased 3.4% at current rates and 2.3% at constant rates. Improvement in underlying EPS was partially offset by a credit to acquisitions and disposal related costs recognised in the prior year as a result of early settlement of the contingent consideration for Blueair.

Free cash flow

Free cash flow in the first half of 2019 was 1.5 billion, down from 2.0 billion in the first half of 2018. This included lost underlying operating profit following the disposal of spreads as well as an adverse impact from tax paid relating to profit on the disposal, totalling 0.5 billion.

Net debt

Closing net debt increased to 24.2 billion compared with 22.6 billion at 31 December 2018. The increase was driven by dividends paid, acquisitions and a negative currency impact, partly reduced by free cash flow delivery.

Pensions

Pension liabilities net of assets reduced to 0.5 billion at the end of June 2019 versus 0.9 billion as at 31 December 2018. The decrease was driven by good investment returns which were partially offset by higher liabilities as discount rates continued to decrease.

Finance and liquidity

On 4 June 2019 we announced the issuance of 650 million 1.5% fixed rate notes due June 2039 and £500 million 1.5% fixed rated notes due July 2026.

In February 2019 $750 million 4.8% bonds matured and were repaid. In March 2019, $750 million 2.2% fixed rate notes matured and were repaid.

 

5


COMPETITION INVESTIGATIONS

As previously disclosed, along with other consumer products companies and retail customers, Unilever is involved in a number of ongoing investigations and cases by national competition authorities, including those within Italy, Greece and South Africa. 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.

NON-GAAP MEASURES

Certain discussions and analyses set out in this announcement include measures which are not defined by generally accepted accounting principles (GAAP) such as IFRS. We believe this information, along with comparable GAAP measures, is useful to investors because it provides a basis for measuring our operating performance, ability to retire debt and invest in new business opportunities. Our management uses these financial measures, along with the most directly comparable GAAP financial measures, in evaluating our operating performance and value creation. Non-GAAP financial measures should not be considered in isolation from, or as a substitute for, financial information presented in compliance with GAAP. Wherever appropriate and practical, we provide reconciliations to relevant GAAP measures.

Unilever uses ‘constant rate’, and ‘underlying’ measures primarily for internal performance analysis and targeting purposes. We present certain items, percentages and movements, using constant exchange rates, which exclude the impact of fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. We calculate constant currency values by translating both the current and the prior period local currency amounts using the prior period average exchange rates into euro, except for countries where the impact of consumer price inflation rates has escalated to extreme levels. In these countries, the local currency amounts before the application of IAS 29 are translated into euros using the period closing exchange rate. The table below shows exchange rate movements in our key markets.

 

     First half
average rate in
     First half
average rate in
 
     2019      2018  

Brazilian Real (1 = BRL)

     4.282        4.125  

Chinese Yuan (1 = CNY)

     7.659        7.715  

Indian Rupee (1 = INR)

     79.149        79.478  

Indonesia Rupiah (1 = IDR)

     16046        16663  

Philippine Peso (1 = PHP)

     59.010        62.911  

UK Pound Sterling (1 = GBP)

     0.873        0.880  

US Dollar (1 = US $)

     1.130        1.212  

Underlying sales growth (USG)

Underlying Sales Growth (USG) refers to the increase in turnover for the period, excluding any change in turnover resulting from acquisitions, disposals and changes in currency. We believe this measure provides valuable additional information on the underlying sales performance of the business and is a key measure used internally. The impact of acquisitions and disposals is excluded from USG for a period of 12 calendar months from the applicable closing date. Turnover from acquired brands that are launched in countries where they were not previously sold is included in USG as such turnover is more attributable to our existing sales and distribution network than the acquisition itself. Also excluded is the impact of price growth from countries where the impact of consumer price inflation (CPI) rates has escalated to extreme levels.

There are two countries where we have determined extreme levels of CPI exist. The first is Venezuela where in Q4 2017 inflation rates exceeded 1,000% and management considered that the situation would persist for some time. Consequently, price growth in Venezuela has been excluded from USG since Q4 2017. The second is Argentina, which from Q3 2018 has been accounted for in accordance with IAS 29, and thus from Q3 2018 Argentina price growth is excluded from USG. The adjustment made at Group level as a result of these two exclusions was a reduction in price growth of 1.2% for the first half. This treatment for both countries will be kept under regular review.

The reconciliation of changes in the GAAP measure turnover to USG is provided in notes 3 and 4.

 

6


NON-GAAP MEASURES (continued)

 

Underlying volume growth (UVG)

Underlying volume growth (UVG) is part of USG and means, for the applicable period, the increase in turnover in such period calculated as the sum of (i) the increase in turnover attributable to the volume of products sold; and (ii) the increase in turnover attributable to the composition of products sold during such period. UVG therefore excludes any impact on USG due to changes in prices. The measures and the related turnover GAAP measure are set out in notes 3 and 4.

Underlying price growth (UPG)

Underlying price growth (UPG) is part of USG and means, for the applicable period, the increase in turnover attributable to changes in prices during the period. UPG therefore excludes the impact to USG due to (i) the volume of products sold; and (ii) the composition of products sold during the period. In determining changes in price we exclude the impact of price growth in Argentina and Venezuela as explained in USG above. The measures and the related turnover GAAP measure are set out in notes 3 and 4.

Free cash flow (FCF)

Within the Unilever Group, free cash flow (FCF) is defined as cash flow from operating activities, less income taxes paid, net capital expenditures and net interest payments. It does not represent residual cash flows entirely available for discretionary purposes; for example, the repayment of principal amounts borrowed is not deducted from FCF. Free cash flow reflects an additional way of viewing our liquidity that we believe is useful to investors because it represents cash flows that could be used for distribution of dividends, repayment of debt or to fund our strategic initiatives, including acquisitions, if any.

The reconciliation of net profit to FCF is as follows:

 

€ million    First Half  

(unaudited)

   2019      2018
Restated(a)
 

Net profit

     3,209        3,229  

Taxation

    
1,145
 
     1,100  

Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates and other income from non-current investments

     (87      (88

Net monetary gain arising from hyperinflationary economies

     (29      –    

Net finance costs

     351        288  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit

     4,589        4,529  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

     965        1,228  

Changes in working capital

     (1,888      (1,697

Pensions and similar obligations less payments

     (94      (76

Provisions less payments

     47        (61

Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals

     (36      16  

Non-cash charge for share-based compensation

     95        115  

Other adjustments

     23        (283
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     3,701        3,771  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Income tax paid

     (1,309      (1,081

Net capital expenditure

     (558      (495

Net interest paid

     (291      (194
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Free cash flow

     1,543        2,001  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities

     (716      (1,441

Total net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities

     (856      (679

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

Non-underlying items

Several non-GAAP measures are adjusted to exclude items defined as non-underlying due to their nature and/or frequency of occurrence.

 

   

Non-underlying items within operating profit are: gains or losses on business disposals, acquisition and disposal related costs, restructuring costs, impairments and other significant one-off items within operating profit

 

   

Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit are: significant and unusual items in net finance cost, monetary gain/(loss) arising from hyperinflationary economies, share of profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates and taxation

 

   

Non-underlying items are both non-underlying items within operating profit and those non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit

 

7


NON-GAAP MEASURES (continued)

 

Underlying operating profit (UOP) and underlying operating margin (UOM)

Underlying operating profit and underlying operating margin mean operating profit and operating margin before the impact of non-underlying items within operating profit. Underlying operating profit represents our measure of segment profit or loss as it is the primary measure used for making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of the segments. The reconciliation of operating profit to underlying operating profit is as follows:

 

€ million    First Half  

(unaudited)

   2019      2018
Restated(a)
 

Operating profit

     4,589        4,529  

Non-underlying items within operating profit (see note 2)

     465        438  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Underlying operating profit

     5,054        4,967  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Turnover

     26,126        26,352  

Operating margin (%)

     17.6        17.2  

Underlying operating margin (%)

     19.3        18.8  

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

Underlying earnings per share (EPS)

Underlying earnings per share (underlying EPS) is calculated as underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ equity divided by the diluted combined average number of share units. In calculating underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ equity, net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity is adjusted to eliminate the post-tax impact of non-underlying items. This measure reflects the underlying earnings for each share unit of the Group. Refer to note 6 on page 19 for reconciliation of net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity to underlying profit attributable to shareholders equity.

Underlying effective tax rate

The underlying effective tax rate is calculated by dividing taxation excluding the tax impact of non-underlying items by profit before tax excluding the impact of non-underlying items and share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates. This measure reflects the underlying tax rate in relation to profit before tax excluding non-underlying items before tax and share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates. Tax impact on non-underlying items within operating profit is the sum of the tax on each non-underlying item, based on the applicable country tax rates and tax treatment. This is shown in the following table:

 

€ million    First Half  

(unaudited)

   2019     2018
Restated(a)
 

Taxation

     1,145       1,100  

Tax impact:

    

Non-underlying items within operating profit(b)

     89       170  

Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit(b)

     –         (29
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Taxation before tax impact of non-underlying items

     1,234       1,241  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

     4,354       4,329  

Non-underlying items within operating profit before tax

     465       438  

Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit before tax(c)

     (29     –    

Share of net profit /loss of joint ventures and associates

     (85     (83
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before tax excluding non-underlying items before tax and share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates

     4,705       4,684  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Underlying effective tax rate

     26.2     26.5
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

(b)

Refer to note 2 for further details on these items.

(c)

2019 amount excludes 3 million gain on disposal of spreads business by the joint venture in Portugal which is included in the share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates line. Including the 3 million, total non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit before tax is 32 million. See note 2.

 

8


NON-GAAP MEASURES (continued)

 

Constant underlying EPS

Constant underlying earnings per share (constant underlying EPS) is calculated as underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ equity at constant exchange rates and excluding the impact of both translational hedges and 2019 price growth in Venezuela and Argentina divided by the diluted combined average number of share units. This measure reflects the underlying earnings for each share unit of the Group in constant exchange rates.

The reconciliation of underlying earnings attributable to shareholders’ equity to constant underlying earnings attributable to shareholders’ equity and the calculation of constant underlying EPS is as follows:

 

€ million    First Half  

(unaudited)

   2019      2018
Restated(a)
 

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ equity
(see note 6)

     3,342        3,318  

Impact of translation from current to constant exchange rates and translational hedges

     (23      (18

Impact of Venezuela and Argentina price growth(b)

     (58      –    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Constant underlying earnings attributable to shareholders’ equity

     3,261        3,300  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Diluted combined average number of share units (millions of units)

     2,625.6        2,737.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Constant underlying EPS ()

     1.24        1.21  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

(b)

See pages 6 to 7 for further details.

Net debt

Net debt is defined as the excess of total financial liabilities, excluding trade payables and other current liabilities, over cash, cash equivalents and other current financial assets, excluding trade and other current receivables. It is a measure that provides valuable additional information on the summary presentation of the Group’s net financial liabilities and is a measure in common use elsewhere.

The reconciliation of total financial liabilities to net debt is as follows:

 

€ million

(unaudited)

   As at
30 June
2019
     As at
31 December
2018
Restated(a)
     As at
30 June
2018
Restated(a)
 

Total financial liabilities

     (28,985      (26,738      (31,599

Current financial liabilities

     (5,616      (3,613      (11,080

Non-current financial liabilities

     (23,369      (23,125      (20,519

Cash and cash equivalents as per balance sheet

     3,911        3,230        3,991  

Cash and cash equivalents as per cash flow statement

     3,789        3,090        3,811  

Add bank overdrafts deducted therein

     122        140        189  

Less cash and cash equivalents classified as held for sale

     –          –          (9

Other current financial assets

     913        874        866  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Net debt

     (24,161      (22,634      (26,742
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

9


PRINCIPAL RISK FACTORS

On pages 28 to 33 of our 2018 Report and Accounts on Form 20-F we set out our assessment of the principal risk issues that would face the business through 2019 under the headings: brand preference; portfolio management; sustainability; climate change; plastic packaging; customer relationships; talent; supply chain; safe and high quality products; systems and information; business transformation; economic and political instability; treasury and pensions; ethical; and legal and regulatory. In our view, the nature and potential impact of such risks remain essentially unchanged as regards our performance over the second half of 2019.

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 including to plastic packaging; the effect of climate change on Unilever’s business; significant changes or deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees; disruptions in our supply chain and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high quality products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects; economic, social and political risks and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and managing regulatory, tax and legal matters. These forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. 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 Annual Report on Form 20-F 2018 and the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2018.

ENQUIRIES

 

Media: Media Relations Team

  

Investors: Investor Relations Team

UK

or

NL

or

  

+44 78 2527 3767

+44 77 7999 9683

+31 10 217 4844

+32 494 60 4906

  

lucila.zambrano@unilever.com

JSibun@tulchangroup.com

els-de.bruin@unilever.com

freek.bracke@unilever.com

  

+44 20 7822 6830

  

investor.relations@unilever.com

There will be a web cast of the results presentation available at:

www.unilever.com/investor-relations/results-and-presentations/latest-results

 

10


CONSOLIDATED INCOME STATEMENT

(unaudited)

 

€ million

   First Half  
     2019     2018
Restated(a)
    Increase/
(Decrease)
 
  Current
rates
    Constant
rates
 

Turnover

     26,126       26,352       (0.9 )%      (0.7 )% 

Operating profit

     4,589       4,529       1.3     0.9

After (charging)/crediting non-underlying items

     (465     (438    

Net finance costs

     (351     (288    

Finance income

     86       64      

Finance costs

     (420     (337    

Pensions and similar obligations

     (17     (15    

Net monetary gain/(loss) arising from hyperinflationary economies

     29       –        

Share of net profit/(loss) of joint ventures and associates

     85       83      

After crediting non-underlying items

     3       –        

Other income/(loss) from non-current investments and associates

     2       5      

Profit before taxation

     4,354       4,329       0.6     (0.1 )% 

Taxation

     (1,145     (1,100    

After (charging)/crediting tax impact of non-underlying items

     89       141      

Net profit

     3,209       3,229       (0.6 )%      (1.5 )% 

Attributable to:

        

Non-controlling interests

     203       198      

Shareholders’ equity

     3,006       3,031       (0.8 )%      (1.9 )% 
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Combined earnings per share

  

Basic earnings per share (euros)

     1.15       1.11       3.4     2.3

Diluted earnings per share (euros)

     1.14       1.11       3.4     2.3

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(unaudited)

 

€ million

   First Half  
     2019      2018
Restated(a)
 

Net profit

     3,209        3,229  

Other comprehensive income

     

Items that will not be reclassified to profit or loss, net of tax:

     

Gains/(losses) on equity instruments measured at fair value through other

comprehensive income

     16        (4

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

     267        142  

Items that may be reclassified subsequently to profit or loss, net of tax:

     

Gains/(losses) on cash flow hedges

     83        36  

Currency retranslation gains/(losses)

     64        (755
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     3,639        2,648  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

     

Non-controlling interests

     216        185  

Shareholders’ equity

     3,423        2,463  

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

11


CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN EQUITY

(unaudited)

 

€ million

   Called up
share
capital
    Share
premium
account
     Other
reserves
    Retained
profit
    Total     Non-
controlling
interest
    Total
equity
 

First half - 2019

               

1 January 2019 as previously reported

     464       129        (15,286     26,265       11,572       720       12,292  

IFRS 16 Restatement(a)

     –         –          68       (243     (175     –         (175

Impact of adopting IFRIC 23(a)

     –         –          –         (38     (38     –         (38
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1 January 2019 after restatement

     464       129        (15,218     25,984       11,359       720       12,079  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit or loss for the period

     –         –          –         3,006       3,006       203       3,209  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

               

Gains/(losses) on:

               

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

     –         –          14       –         14       2       16  

Cash flow hedges

     –         –          83       –         83       –         83  

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

     –         –          –         266       266       1       267  

Currency retranslation gains/(losses)

     –         –          50       4       54       10       64  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     –         –          147       3,276       3,423       216       3,639  

Dividends on ordinary capital

     –         –          –         (2,079     (2,079     –         (2,079

Cancellation of treasury shares(b)

     (30     –          6,599       (6,569     –         –         –    

Other movements in treasury shares(c)

     –         –          31       (180     (149     –         (149

Share-based payment credit(d)

     –         –          –         95       95       –         95  

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     –         –          –         –         –         (237     (237

Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax

     –         –          –         –         –         –         –    

Hedging gain/(loss) transferred to non-financial assets

     –         –          35       –         35       –         35  

Other movements in equity

     –         –          –         26       26       (13     13  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

30 June 2019

     434       129        (8,406     20,553       12,710       686       13,396  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

First half - 2018

               

1 January 2018 as previously reported

     484       130        (13,633     26,648       13,629       758       14,387  

IFRS 16 Restatement(a)

     –         –          46       (235     (189     –         (189
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

1 January 2018 after restatement

     484       130        (13,587     26,413       13,440       758       14,198  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit or loss for the period

     –         –          –         3,031       3,031       198       3,229  

Other comprehensive income, net of tax:

               

Gains/(losses) on:

               

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

     –         –          (4     –         (4     –         (4

Cash flow hedges

     –         –          35       –         35       1       36  

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

     –         –          –         142       142       –         142  

Currency retranslation gains/(losses)

     –         –          (733     (8     (741     (14     (755
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     –         –          (702     3,165       2,463       185       2,648  

Dividends on ordinary capital

     –         –          –         (2,037     (2,037     –         (2,037

Repurchase of shares(e)

     –         –          (2,516     –         (2,516     –         (2,516

Other movements in treasury shares(c)

     –         –          (51     (135     (186     –         (186

Share-based payment credit(d)

     –         –          –         115       115       –         115  

Dividends paid to non-controlling interests

     –         –          –         –         –         (201     (201

Currency retranslation gains/(losses) net of tax

     –         –          –         –         –         –         –    

Hedging gain/(loss) transferred to non-financial assets

     –         –          96       –         96       –         96  

Other movements in equity

     –         –          50       (21     29       (24     5  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

30 June 2018

     484       130        (16,710     27,500       11,404       718       12,122  
  

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

1 January 2019 restated following adoption of IFRS 16 and IFRIC 23. 1 January 2018 restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

(b)

During 2019 170,000,000 NV ordinary shares and 18,660,634 PLC ordinary shares were cancelled. The amount paid to repurchase these shares was initially recognised in other reserves and is transferred to retained profit on cancellation

(c)

Includes purchases and sales of treasury stock, and transfer from treasury stock to retained profit of share-settled schemes arising from prior years and differences between exercise and grant price of share options.

(d)

The share-based payment credit relates to the non-cash charge recorded against operating profit in respect of the fair value of share options and awards granted to employees.

(e)

Repurchase of shares reflects the cost of acquiring ordinary shares as part of the share buyback programmes announced on 19 April 2018.

 

12


CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEET

(unaudited)

 

€ million

   As at
30 June
2019
     As at
31 December
2018
Restated(a)
     As at
30 June
2018
Restated(a)
 

Non-current assets

        

Goodwill

     17,697        17,341        16,687  

Intangible assets

     12,547        12,152        12,011  

Property, plant and equipment

     12,067        12,088        11,911  

Pension asset for funded schemes in surplus

     2,053        1,728        2,340  

Deferred tax assets

     1,376        1,152        1,034  

Financial assets

     705        642        642  

Other non-current assets

     495        530        502  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     46,940        45,633        45,127  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current assets

        

Inventories

     4,387        4,301        4,246  

Trade and other current receivables

     8,079        6,482        6,818  

Current tax assets

     265        472        505  

Cash and cash equivalents

     3,911        3,230        3,991  

Other financial assets

     913        874        866  

Assets held for sale

     34        119        3,404  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     17,589        15,478        19,830  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total assets

     64,529        61,111        64,957  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Current liabilities

        

Financial liabilities

     5,616        3,613        11,080  

Trade payables and other current liabilities

     14,391        14,457        13,779  

Current tax liabilities

     1,072        1,445        924  

Provisions

     665        624        472  

Liabilities held for sale

     1        11        143  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     21,745        20,150        26,398  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

        

Financial liabilities

     23,369        23,125        20,519  

Non-current tax liabilities

     187        174        324  

Pensions and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:

        

Funded schemes in deficit

     1,176        1,209        1,157  

Unfunded schemes

     1,417        1,393        1,460  

Provisions

     637        697        719  

Deferred tax liabilities

     2,272        1,900        1,942  

Other non-current liabilities

     330        346        316  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 
     29,388        28,844        26,437  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     51,133        48,994        52,835  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Equity

        

Shareholders’ equity

     12,710        11,397        11,404  

Non-controlling interests

     686        720        718  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total equity

     13,396        12,117        12,122  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     64,529        61,111        64,957  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

13


CONSOLIDATED CASH FLOW STATEMENT

(unaudited)

 

€ million

   First Half  
     2019     2018
Restated(a)
 

Net profit

     3,209       3,229  

Taxation

     1,145       1,100  

Share of net profit of joint ventures/associates and other income from non-current investments and associates

     (87     (88

Net monetary gain arising from hyperinflationary economies

     (29     –    

Net finance costs

     351       288  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating profit

     4,589       4,529  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

     965       1,228  

Changes in working capital

     (1,888     (1,697

Pensions and similar obligations less payments

     (94     (76

Provisions less payments

     47       (61

Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals

     (36     16  

Non-cash charge for share-based compensation

     95       115  

Other adjustments(b)

     23       (283
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow from operating activities

     3,701       3,771  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Income tax paid

     (1,309     (1,081
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow from operating activities

     2,392       2,690  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Interest received

     78       45  

Net capital expenditure

     (558     (495

Other acquisitions and disposals

     (470     (1,035

Other investing activities

     234       44  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow (used in)/from investing activities

     (716     (1,441
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Dividends paid on ordinary share capital

     (2,080     (2,033

Interest paid

     (369     (239

Change in financial liabilities

     1,937       4,250  

Repurchase of shares

     –         (2,248

Other movements on treasury stock

     (205     (264

Other financing activities

     (139     (145
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities

     (856     (679
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     820       570  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the beginning of the period

     3,090       3,169  

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

     (121     72  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at the end of the period

     3,789       3,811  
  

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

(b)

2018 includes a non-cash credit of 277 million from early settlement of contingent consideration relating to Blueair.

 

14


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

1 ACCOUNTING INFORMATION AND POLICIES

The accounting policies and methods of computation are in compliance with IAS 34 ‘Interim Financial Reporting’ as issued by the International Accounting Standard Board (IASB) and as adopted by the EU; and except as set out below are consistent with the year ended 31 December 2018. The condensed interim financial statements are based on International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) as adopted by the EU and IFRS as issued by the IASB.

After making appropriate enquiries, the Directors have a reasonable expectation that the Group has adequate resources to continue in operational existence for the foreseeable future. Accordingly, they continue to adopt the going concern basis in preparing the half year financial statements.

The condensed interim 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 consolidated income statement on page 11, the consolidated statement of comprehensive income on page 11, the consolidated statement of changes in equity on page 12 and the consolidated cash flow statement on page 14 are translated at exchange rates current in each period. The consolidated balance sheet on page 13 is translated at period-end rates of exchange.

The condensed interim financial statements attached do not constitute the full financial statements within the meaning of section 434 of the UK Companies Act 2006. The comparative figures for the financial year ended 31 December 2018 are not Unilever PLC’s statutory accounts for that financial year. Those accounts of Unilever for the year ended 31 December 2018 have been reported on by the Group’s auditor and delivered to the Registrar of Companies. The report of the auditor on these accounts was (i) unqualified, (ii) did not include a reference to any matters to which the auditor drew attention by way of emphasis without qualifying their report, and (iii) did not contain a statement under section 498 (2) or (3) of the UK Companies Act 2006.

Recent accounting developments

IFRS 16 ‘Leases’

The Group has adopted IFRS 16 which replaced existing lease guidance including IAS 17 ‘Leases’, IFRIC 4 ‘Determining whether an arrangement contains a lease’, SIC-15 ‘Operating Leases-Incentives’ and SIC-27 ‘Evaluating the substance of transactions involving the legal form of a lease’. The standard changes the recognition, measurement, presentation and disclosure of leases. At the commencement of a lease, lease payments (lease liability) and an asset representing the right to use the asset during the lease term (right-of-use asset) are recorded on the balance sheet. The right-of-use asset is then depreciated on a straight-line basis and interest expense recognised on the lease liability in the income statement over the lease term.

The standard has no impact on the actual cash flows of the group. However, as the standard requires the capitalisation, and subsequent depreciation of costs that are expensed as paid, the disclosures of cash flows within the cash flow statement are impacted. The amounts previously expensed as operating cash outflows are instead capitalised and presented as financing cash outflows. The Group has restated 2018 numbers for the impact of IFRS 16. Refer to note 9 for the restatement impact of IFRS 16 on the financial statements and segment information.

IFRIC 23 ‘Uncertainty Over Income Tax Treatments’

On 1 January 2019 the Group adopted IFRIC 23. The Interpretation addresses the accounting for income taxes when tax treatments involve uncertainty that affects the application of IAS 12 Income Taxes.

The Group applies judgement in identifying uncertainties over income tax treatments and has considered whether it should adjust its uncertain tax provisions in line with this new criteria. The Group has elected to recognise the cumulative impact within opening retained earnings.

 

15


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

2 SIGNIFICANT ITEMS WITHIN THE INCOME STATEMENT

Non-underlying items

Non-underlying items are costs and revenues relating to gains and losses on business disposals, acquisition and disposal-related credit/costs, restructuring costs, impairments and other one-off items within operating profit, and other significant and unusual items within net profit but outside of operating profit, which we collectively term non-underlying items, due to their nature and/or frequency of occurrence. These items are significant in terms of nature and/or amount and are relevant to an understanding of our financial performance.

Restructuring costs are charges associated with activities planned by management that significantly change either the scope of the business or the manner in which it is conducted.

 

€ million

   First Half  
     2019      2018  

Acquisition and disposal-related credit/(costs)(a)

     (77      148  

Gain/(loss) on disposal of group companies(b)

     66        –    

Restructuring costs

     (454      (367

Impairment and other one-off items(c)

     –          (219
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-underlying items within operating profit before tax

     (465      (438

Tax on non-underlying items within operating profit

     89        170  
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-underlying items within operating profit after tax

     (376      (268
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Share of gain on disposal of Spreads business in Portugal JV

     3        –    

Net monetary gain arising from hyperinflationary economies

     29        –    
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit before tax

     32        –    

Tax impact of non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit:

     

Impact of US tax reform

     –          (29
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit after tax

     32        (29
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Non-underlying items after tax(d)

     (344      (297
  

 

 

    

 

 

 

Attributable to:

     

Non-controlling interests

     (8      (10

Shareholders’ equity

     (336      (287

 

(a)

2018 includes a credit of 277 million from early settlement of contingent consideration relating to Blueair.

(b)

2019 includes a gain of 60 million relating to disposal of Alsa baking and dessert business.

(c)

2018 includes a charge of 208 million relating to impairment of Blueair intangible asset.

(d)

Non-underlying items after tax is calculated as non-underlying items within operating profit after tax plus non-underlying items not in operating profit but within net profit after tax.

 

16


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

3 SEGMENT INFORMATION - DIVISIONS

 

First Half

   Beauty &
Personal
Care
     Home
Care
     Foods &
Refreshment
     Total  

Turnover ( million)

           

2018

     10,084        5,048        11,220        26,352  

2019

     10,721        5,410        9,995        26,126  

Change (%)

     6.3        7.2        (10.9      (0.9

Impact of:

           

Exchange rates(a) (%)

     2.2        (0.4      0.6        1.1  

Acquisitions (%)

     0.6        0.2        0.5        0.5  

Disposals (%)

     —          —          (13.0      (5.5

Underlying sales growth (%)

     3.3        7.4        1.3        3.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Price(a) (%)

     1.6        4.5        1.4        2.1  

Volume (%)

     1.7        2.8        (0.1      1.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit ( million)

           

2018(b)

     2,056        651        1,822        4,529  

2019

     2,322        652        1,615        4,589  

Underlying operating profit ( million)

           

2018(b)

     2,220        646        2,101        4,967  

2019

     2,469        756        1,829        5,054  

Operating margin (%)

           

2018(b)

     20.4        12.9        16.2        17.2  

2019

     21.7        12.1        16.2        17.6  

Underlying operating margin (%)

           

2018(b)

     22.0        12.8        18.7        18.8  

2019

     23.0        14.0        18.3        19.3  

 

(a)

Underlying price growth in Venezuela and Argentina has been excluded when calculating the price growth in the tables above, and an equal and opposite adjustment made in the calculation of exchange rate impact. See page 6 for further details.

(b)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

Turnover growth is made up of distinct individual growth components namely underlying sales, currency impact, acquisitions and disposals. Turnover growth is arrived at by multiplying these individual components on a compounded basis as there is a currency impact on each of the other components. Accordingly, turnover growth is more than just the sum of the individual components.

Underlying operating profit represents our measure of segment profit or loss as it is the primary measure used for the purpose of making decisions about allocating resources and assessing performance of segments. Underlying operating margin is calculated as underlying operating profit divided by turnover.

 

17


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

4 SEGMENT INFORMATION - GEOGRAPHICAL AREA

 

First Half

   Asia /
AMET /
RUB
     The
Americas
     Europe      Total  

Turnover ( million)

           

2018

     11,735        8,083        6,534        26,352  

2019

     12,195        8,141        5,790        26,126  

Change (%)

     3.9        0.7        (11.4      (0.9

Impact of:

           

Exchange rates(a) (%)

     0.2        3.1        –          1.1  

Acquisitions (%)

     –          0.6        1.3        0.5  

Disposals (%)

     (2.3      (5.0      (12.0      (5.5

Underlying sales growth (%)

     6.2        2.1        (0.6      3.3  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Price(a) (%)

     3.2        2.2        (0.4      2.1  

Volume (%)

     2.9        (0.1      (0.2      1.2  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

 

Operating profit ( million)

           

2018(b)

     2,274        1,172        1,083        4,529  

2019

     2,339        1,270        980        4,589  

Underlying operating profit ( million)

           

2018(b)

     2,345        1,349        1,273        4,967  

2019

     2,526        1,425        1,103        5,054  

Operating margin (%)

           

2018(b)

     19.4        14.5        16.6        17.2  

2019

     19.2        15.6        16.9        17.6  

Underlying operating margin (%)

           

2018(b)

     20.0        16.7        19.5        18.8  

2019

     20.7        17.5        19.1        19.3  

 

(a)

Underlying price growth in Venezuela and Argentina has been excluded when calculating the price growth in the tables above, and an equal and opposite adjustment made in the calculation of exchange rate impact. See page 6 for further details. See page 6 for further details.

(b)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

18


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

5 TAXATION

The effective tax rate for the first half was 26.8% compared to 25.9% in 2018. The tax rate is calculated by dividing the tax charge by pre-tax profit excluding the contribution of joint ventures and associates.

Tax effects of components of other comprehensive income were as follows:

 

     First Half 2019      First Half 2018
Restated(a)
 

million

   Before
tax
     Tax
(charge)/
credit
    After
tax
     Before
tax
    Tax
(charge)/
credit
    After
tax
 

Gains/(losses) on

              

Equity instruments at fair value through other comprehensive income

     16        –         16        (4     –         (4

Cash flow hedges

     89        (6     83        32       4       36  

Remeasurements of defined benefit pension plans

     274        (7     267        206       (64     142  

Currency retranslation gains/(losses)

     68        (4     64        (756     1       (755
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     447        (17     430        (522     (59     (581
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(b)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

6 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 shares.

In calculating diluted earnings per share and underlying earnings per share, a number of adjustments are made to the number of shares, principally the exercise of share options by employees.

Earnings per share for total operations for the six months were calculated as follows:

 

     2019      2018
Restated(a)
 

Combined EPS – Basic

     

Net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity ( million)

     3,006        3,031  

Average number of combined share units (millions of units)

     2,616.5        2,727.3  

Combined EPS – basic ()

     1.15        1.11  

Combined EPS – Diluted

     

Net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity ( million)

     3,006        3,031  

Adjusted average number of combined share units (millions of units)

     2,625.6        2,737.3  

Combined EPS – diluted ()

     1.14        1.11  

Underlying EPS

     

Net profit attributable to shareholder’s equity ( million)

     3,006        3,031  

Post tax impact of non-underlying items attributable to shareholders’ equity (see note 2)

     336        287  

Underlying profit attributable to shareholders’ equity ( million)

     3,342        3,318  

Adjusted average number of combined share units (millions of units)

     2,625.6        2,737.3  

Underlying EPS – diluted ()

     1.27        1.21  

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

In calculating underlying earnings per share, net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity is adjusted to eliminate the post-tax impact of non-underlying items in operating profit and any other significant unusual items within net profit but not operating profit.

During the period the following movements in shares have taken place:

 

     Millions  

Number of shares at 31 December 2018 (net of treasury shares)

     2,614.2  

Shares repurchased under the share buyback programme

     –    

Net movement in shares under incentive schemes

     1.9  
  

 

 

 

Number of shares at 30 June 2019

     2,616.1  
  

 

 

 

 

19


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

7 ACQUISITIONS AND DISPOSALS

Total consideration for acquisitions completed in the first half of 2019 is 654 million (acquisitions completed in the first half of 2018: 1,078 million). The main acquisition in the first half of 2019 was Olly Nutrition, a premium supplements business in the US.

8 FINANCIAL INSTRUMENTS

The Group is exposed to the risks of changes in fair value of its financial assets and liabilities. The following tables summarise the fair values and carrying amounts of financial instruments and the fair value calculations by category.

 

€ million

   Fair value     Carrying amount  
   As at
30 June
2019
    As at
31 December
2018
Restated(a)
    As at
30 June
2018
Restated(a)
    As at
30 June
2019
    As at
31 December
2018
Restated(a)
    As at
30 June
2018
Restated(a)
 

Financial assets

            

Cash and cash equivalents

     3,911       3,230       3,991       3,911       3,230       3,991  

Amortised cost

     499       629       632       499       629       632  

Fair value through other comprehensive income

     327       329       288       327       329       288  

Financial assets at fair value through profit and loss:

            

Derivatives

     412       194       209       412       194       209  

Other

     381       364       379       381       364       379  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     5,530       4,746       5,499       5,530       4,746       5,499  

Financial liabilities

            

Bank loans and overdrafts

     (1,044     (816     (1,131     (1,041     (814     (1,128

Bonds and other loans

     (26,787     (23,691     (27,842     (25,390     (23,391     (27,426

Lease liabilities

     (1,967     (1,981     (2,112     (1,967     (1,981     (2,112

Derivatives

     (464     (402     (542     (464     (402     (542

Other financial liabilities

     (123     (150     (390     (123     (150     (390
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 
     (30,385     (27,040     (32,017     (28,985     (26,738     (31,598
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3     Level 1      Level 2     Level 3  

€ million

   As at 30 June 2019     As at 31 December 2018     As at 30 June 2018  

Assets at fair value

                     

Financial assets at fair value through other comprehensive income(a)

     116        4       207       160        5       164       143        4       141  

Financial assets at fair value through profit or loss:

                     

Derivatives(a)

     –          448       –         –          276       –         –          366       –    

Other

     155        –         226       145        –         219       185        –         194  

Liabilities at fair value

                     

Derivatives(b)

     –          (530     –         –          (542     –         –          (588     –    

Contingent Consideration

     –          –         (156     –          –         (142     –          –         (199

 

(a)

Includes 36 million (December 2018: 82 million) derivatives, reported within trade receivables, that hedge trading activities.

(b)

Includes (66) million (December 2018: (140) million) derivatives, reported within trade payables, that hedge trading activities.

There were no significant changes in classification of fair value of financial assets and financial liabilities since 31 December 2018. There were also no significant movements between the fair value hierarchy classifications since 31 December 2018.

The fair value of trade receivables and payables is considered to be equal to the carrying amount of these items due to their short-term nature.

Calculation of fair values

The fair values of the financial assets and liabilities are defined as the price that would be received to sell an asset or paid to transfer a liability in an orderly transaction between market participants at the measurement date. Methods and assumptions used to estimate the fair values are consistent with those used in the year ended 31 December 2018.

 

20


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

9 IMPACT OF ADOPTION OF IFRS 16

Upon adoption of IFRS 16, the Group has recognised leases on the balance sheet with a right-of-use asset and related lease liability. Refer to note 1 for a summary of accounting for leases under the new standard. The Group has restated all prior periods for the impact of IFRS 16 in line with the ‘full retrospective approach’. The Group has chosen not to recognise short-term leases, which are those less than 12 months, and leases of low-value assets on the balance sheet.

Financial statement impact

The below tables summarise the impact of adopting IFRS 16 on the Group’s consolidated financial statements. Only restated lines have been included in the tables below:

 

(a)

Balance sheet

The Group recognised right-of-use assets on the balance sheet representing the right to use of the underlying assets from the lease contracts. Current and non-current lease liabilities were also recognised for the present value of the lease payments due under the lease contracts. Deferred tax adjustments are due to temporary timing differences arising from the recognition of right-of-use assets and lease liabilities. Shareholder’s equity has been restated to reflect the cumulative impact of IFRS 16 on retained earnings and currency translation adjustment as a result of IFRS 16 restatement of foreign subsidiaries.

 

     As at 31 December 2018     As at 30 June 2018  

€ million

   As
previously
reported
    Restatement     Restated     As
previously
reported
    Restatement     Restated  

Balance sheet

 

Property, plant and equipment

     10,347       1,741       12,088       10,050       1,861       11,911  

Deferred tax assets

     1,117       35       1,152       1,000       34       1,034  

Other non-current assets

     648       (118     530       619       (117     502  

Trade and other current receivables

     6,485       (3     6,482       6,821       (3     6,818  

Total assets

     59,456       1,655       61,111       63,182       1,775       64,957  

Current financial liabilities

     3,235       378       3,613       10,670       410       11,080  

Non-current financial liabilities

     21,650       1,475       23,125       18,951       1,568       20,519  

Deferred tax liability

     1,923       (23     1,900       1,966       (24     1,942  

Total liabilities

     47,164       1,830       48,994       50,881       1,954       52,835  

Other reserves

     (15,286     68       (15,218     (16,768     58       (16,710

Retained profit

     26,265       (243     26,022       27,737       (237     27,500  

Total equity

     12,292       (175     12,117       12,301       (179     12,122  

Total liabilities and equity

     59,456       1,655       61,111       63,182       1,775       64,957  

Only impacted lines and key sub-totals are presented in the table above.

 

21


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

9 IMPACT OF ADOPTION OF IFRS 16 (continued)

 

(b)

Income statement and statement of comprehensive income

Operating profit has been restated to remove operating lease payments previously recognised and to recognise depreciation expense on the right-of-use assets that are now recognised on the balance sheet. Interest expense on lease liabilities has been recognised within finance costs. Adjustments to taxation are due to the change in profit before taxation. Currency translation gains/losses have also been restated to reflect the foreign exchange impact of IFRS 16 on subsidiaries that do not have a euro functional currency.

 

€ million

   First Half 2018  
   As
previously
reported
     Adjustments
for IFRS 16
     Restated  

Income statement

        

Operating profit

     4,474        55        4,529  

Finance costs

     (272      (65      (337

Profit before taxation

     4,339        (10      4,329  

Taxation

     (1,102      2        (1,100

Net profit

     3,237        (8      3,229  

Attributable to: Shareholder’s equity

     3,039        (8      3,031  

Statement of comprehensive income

        

Net profit

     3,237        (8      3,229  

Currency retranslation gains/(losses)

     (767      12        (755

Total comprehensive income

     2,644        4        2,648  

Attributable to: Shareholder’s equity

     2,459        4        2,463  

Only impacted lines and key sub-totals are presented in the table above.

 

(c)

Cash flow statement

There is no impact on overall cash flows on the Group from the adoption of IFRS 16. However, cash outflows for lease payments have been reclassified from cash flows from operating activities to cash flows used in financing activities.

 

€ million

   First Half 2018  
   As
previously
reported
     Adjustments
for IFRS 16
     Restated  

Cash flow statement

 

Net profit

     3,237        (8      3,229  

Taxation

     1,102        (2      1,100  

Net finance costs

     223        65        288  

Operating profit

     4,474        55        4,529  

Depreciation, amortisation and impairment

     983        245        1,228  

Elimination of (profits)/losses on disposals

     32        (16      16  

Net cash flow from operating activities

     2,406        284        2,690  

Interest paid

     (191      (48      (239

Change in financial liabilities

     4,486        (236      4,250  

Net cash flow (used in)/from financing activities

     (395      (284      (679

Only impacted lines and key sub-totals are presented in the table above.

 

22


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

9 IMPACT OF ADOPTION OF IFRS 16 (continued)

 

(d)

Impact on earnings per share

Basic and diluted earnings per share have been restated to reflect the restated net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity as per the income statement.

 

     First Half 2018  
     As
previously
reported
     Restated  

Combined EPS – Basic

     

Net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity ( million)

     3,039        3,031  

Average number of combined share units (millions of units)

     2,727.3        2,727.3  

Combined EPS – basic ()

     1.11        1.11  

Combined EPS – Diluted

     

Net profit attributable to shareholders’ equity ( million)

     3,039        3,031  

Adjusted average number of combined share units (millions of units)

     2,737.3        2,737.3  

Combined EPS – diluted ()

     1.11        1.11  

 

(e)

Impact on segment information

Segment information for the Group’s divisions and geographical areas has been restated. Operating profit, underlying operating profit, operating margin and underlying operating margin have been restated to reflect the impact of IFRS 16 adoption on the income statement for the six months to 30 June 2018 as follows:

 

First Half 2018

   Beauty &
Personal
Care
     Home
Care
     Foods &
Refreshment
     Total  

Operating profit ( million)

           

2018 as previously reported

     2,037        638        1,799        4,474  

Adjustments for IFRS 16

     19        13        23        55  

2018 after restatement

     2,056        651        1,822        4,529  

Underlying operating profit ( million)

           

2018 as previously reported

     2,201        633        2,078        4,912  

Adjustments for IFRS 16

     19        13        23        55  

2018 after restatement

     2,220        646        2,101        4,967  

Operating margin (%)

           

2018 as previously reported

     20.2        12.6        16.0        17.0  

2018 after restatement

     20.4        12.9        16.2        17.2  

Underlying operating margin (%)

           

2018 as previously reported

     21.8        12.5        18.5        18.6  

2018 after restatement

     22.0        12.8        18.7        18.8  

 

23


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

9 IMPACT OF ADOPTION OF IFRS 16 (continued)

 

(e)

Impact on segment information (continued)

 

First Half 2018

   Asia /
AMET /
RUB
     The
Americas
     Europe      Total  

Operating profit ( million)

           

2018 as previously reported

     2,248        1,156        1,070        4,474  

Adjustments for IFRS 16

     27        17        11        55  

2018 after restatement

     2,275        1,173        1,081        4,529  

Underlying operating profit ( million)

           

2018 as previously reported

     2,317        1,333        1,262        4,912  

Adjustments for IFRS 16

     27        17        11        55  

2018 after restatement

     2,344        1,350        1,273        4,967  

Operating margin (%)

           

2018 as previously reported

     19.2        14.3        16.4        17.0  

2018 after restatement

     19.4        14.5        16.5        17.2  

Underlying operating margin (%)

           

2018 as previously reported

     19.7        16.5        19.3        18.6  

2018 after restatement

     20.0        16.7        19.5        18.8  

10 DIVIDENDS

The Boards have determined to pay a quarterly interim dividend for Q1 2019 and Q2 2019 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:

 

     Q1 2019      Q2 2019  

Per Unilever N.V. ordinary share

   0.4104      0.4104  

Per Unilever PLC ordinary share

   £ 0.3546      £ 0.3682  

Per Unilever N.V. New York share

   US$ 0.4641      US$ 0.4585  

Per Unilever PLC American Depositary Receipt

   US$ 0.4641      US$ 0.4585  

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 16 April 2019 and 23 July 2019 for Q1 and Q2 respectively.

US dollar cheques for the Q2 interim dividend will be mailed on 11 September 2019 to holders of record at the close of business on 9 August 2019. In the case of the NV New York shares, Netherlands withholding tax will be deducted.

The quarterly dividend calendar for the remainder of 2019 will be as follows:

 

     Announcement
Date
   Ex-Dividend
Date
   Record Date    Payment Date

Quarterly dividend – for Q2 2019

   25 July 2019    8 August 2019    9 August 2019    11 September 2019

Quarterly dividend – for Q3 2019

   17 October 2019    31 October 2019    1 November 2019    4 December 2019

11 EVENTS AFTER THE BALANCE SHEET DATE

There were no material post balance sheet events other than those mentioned elsewhere in this report.

 

24


NOTES TO THE CONDENSED FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

12 GUARANTOR STATEMENTS

On 27 July 2017, Unilever N.V. and Unilever Capital Corporation (UCC) filed a US Shelf registration, which is unconditionally and fully guaranteed, jointly and severally, by Unilever N.V., Unilever PLC and Unilever United States, Inc. (UNUS) and that superseded the NV and UCC US Shelf registration filed on 30 September 2014, which was unconditionally and fully guaranteed, jointly and severally, by NV, PLC and UNUS. UCC and UNUS are each indirectly 100% owned by the Unilever parent entities (as defined below). Of the US Shelf registration, US$11.0 billion of Notes were outstanding at 30 June 2019 (2018: US$11.0 billion; 2017: US$9.5 billion) with coupons ranging from 1.375% to 5.900%. These Notes are repayable between 5 May 2020 and 15 November 2032.

Provided below are the statements of comprehensive income, cash flow statements and balance sheets of each of the companies discussed above, together with the statement of comprehensive income, cash flow statement and balance sheet of non-guarantor subsidiaries. These have been prepared under the historical cost convention and, aside from the basis of accounting for investments at net asset value (equity accounting), comply in all material respects with International Financial Reporting Standards. The financial information in respect of NV, PLC and UNUS has been prepared with all subsidiaries accounted for on an equity basis. Information on NV and PLC is shown collectively as Unilever parent entities. The financial information in respect of the non-guarantor subsidiaries has been prepared on a consolidated basis.

 

Statement of comprehensive income

Six months ended 30 June 2019

 

€ million

   Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
     Unilever
parent
entities(a)
    Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
    Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Unilever
Group
 

Turnover

     –          –         –         26,126       –         26,126  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Profit

     –          550       3       4,036       –         4,589  

Net finance costs

     1        (33     (266     (36     –         (334

Pensions and similar obligations

     –          (1     (11     (5     –         (17

Other income

     –          –         –         87       –         87  

Net monetary gain arising from hyperinflationary economies

     –          –         –         29       –         29  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

     1        516       (274     4,111       –         4,354  

Taxation

     –          (92     –         (1,053     –         (1,145
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net profit before subsidiaries

     1        424       (274     3,058       –         3,209  

Equity earnings of subsidiaries

     –          2,582       552       (1,041     (2,093     –    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Profit

     1        3,006       278       2,017       (2,093     3,209  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributed to:

             

Non-controlling interests

     –          –         –         203       –         203  

Shareholders’ equity

     1        3,006       278       1,814       (2,093     3,006  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     –          3       78       349       –         430  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     1        3,009       356       2,366       (2,093     3,639  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.

 

25


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

12 GUARANTOR STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Statement of comprehensive income

Six months ended 30 June 2018(b)

 

€ million

   Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
     Unilever
parent
entities(a)
    Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
    Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Unilever
Group
 

Turnover

             –          –         –         26,352       –         26,352  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Operating Profit

     –          523       (1     4,007       –         4,529  

Net finance costs

     3        (53     (190     (33     –         (273

Pensions and similar obligations

     –          (1     (9     (5     –         (15

Other income

     –          –         –         88       –         88  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Profit before taxation

     3        469       (200     4,057       –         4,329  

Taxation

     –          (13     –         (1,087     –         (1,100
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net profit before subsidiaries

     3        456       (200     2,970       –         3,229  

Equity earnings of subsidiaries

     –          2,575       462       (1,427     (1,610     –    
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net Profit

     3        3,031       262       1,543       (1,610     3,229  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Attributed to:

             

Non-controlling interests

     –          –         –         198       –         198  

Shareholders’ equity

     3        3,031       262       1,345       (1,610     3,031  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Other comprehensive income

     –          74       (30     (625     –         (581
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total comprehensive income

     3        3,105       232       918       (1,610     2,648  
  

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.

(b)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

26


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

12 GUARANTOR STATEMENTS (continued)

 

 

Balance Sheet

As at 30 June 2019

 

€ million

   Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
     Unilever
Parent
entities(a)
     Unilever
United
States Inc.
Subsidiary
guarantor
     Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Unilever
Group
 

Non-current assets

                

Goodwill and intangible assets

     –          3,139        –          27,105        –         30,244  

Deferred tax assets

     –          –          –          1,376        –         1,376  

Other non-current assets

     –          131        2        15,187        –         15,320  

Amounts due from group companies

     15,126        11,287        –          –          (26,413     –    

Net assets of subsidiaries (equity accounted)

     –          24,595        23,617        –          (48,212     –    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     15,126        39,152        23,619        43,668        (74,625     46,940  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current assets

                

Amounts due from group companies

     –          9,508        956        27,143        (37,607     –    

Trade and other current receivables

     –          271        6        7,802        –         8,079  

Current tax assets

     –          22        –          243        –         265  

Other current assets

     21        1        –          9,223        –         9,245  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     21        9,802        962        44,411        (37,607     17,589  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     15,147        48,954        24,581        88,079        (112,232     64,529  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

                

Financial liabilities

     3,196        884        1        1,535        –         5,616  

Amounts due to group companies

     2,643        23,197        1,303        10,464        (37,607     –    

Trade payables and other current liabilities

     88        331        12        13,960        –         14,391  

Current tax liabilities

     –          –          65        1,007        –         1,072  

Other current liabilities

     –          1        3        662        –         666  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     5,927        24,413        1,384        27,628        (37,607     21,745  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

                

Financial liabilities

     8,896        11,695        –          2,778        –         23,369  

Amounts due to group companies

     –          –          11,174        15,239        (26,413     –    

Pension and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:

                

Funded schemes in deficit

     –          8        46        1,122        –         1,176  

Unfunded schemes

     –          82        379        956        –         1,417  

Other non-current liabilities

     –          161        11        3,254        –         3,426  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     8,896        11,946        11,610        23,349        (26,413     29,388  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     14,823        36,359        12,994        50,977        (64,020     51,133  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

     324        12,595        11,587        36,416        (48,212     12,710  

Non-controlling interests

     –          –          –          686        –         686  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     324        12,595        11,587        37,102        (48,212     13,396  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     15,147        48,954        24,581        88,079        (112,232     64,529  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.

 

27


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

12 GUARANTOR STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Balance Sheet

Year ended 31 December 2018(b)

 

€ million

   Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
     Unilever
Parent
entities(a)
     Unilever
United
States Inc.
Subsidiary
guarantor
     Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
     Eliminations     Unilever
Group
 

Non-current assets

                

Goodwill and intangible assets

     –          3,058        –          26,435        –         29,493  

Deferred tax assets

     –          –          13        1,139        –         1,152  

Other non-current assets

     –          43        2        14,943        –         14,988  

Amounts due from group companies

     17,211        10,379        –          –          (27,590     –    

Net assets of subsidiaries (equity accounted)

     –          22,125        22,427        –          (44,552     –    
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     17,211        35,605        22,442        42,517        (72,142     45,633  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current assets

                

Amounts due from group companies

     –          11,883        5,413        33,032        (50,328     –    

Trade and other current receivables

     –          156        4        6,322        –         6,482  

Current tax assets

     –          15        –          457        –         472  

Other current assets

     6        7        –          8,511        –         8,524  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     6        12,061        5,417        48,322        (50,328     15,478  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total assets

     17,217        47,666        27,859        90,839        (122,470     61,111  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Current liabilities

                

Financial liabilities

     2,381        35        2        1,195        –         3,613  

Amounts due to group companies

     4,895        25,010        3,127        17,296        (50,328     –    

Trade payables and other current liabilities

     96        327        15        14,019        –         14,457  

Current tax liabilities

     –          –          72        1,373        –         1,445  

Other current liabilities

     –          2        –          633        –         635  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     7,372        25,374        3,216        34,516        (50,328     20,150  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Non-current liabilities

                

Financial liabilities

     9,525        10,787        –          2,813        –         23,125  

Amounts due to group companies

     –          –          13,290        14,300        (27,590     –    

Pension and post-retirement healthcare liabilities:

                

Funded schemes in deficit

     –          7        136        1,066        –         1,209  

Unfunded schemes

     –          87        388        918        –         1,393  

Other non-current liabilities

     –          141        1        2,975        –         3,117  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 
     9,525        11,022        13,815        22,072        (27,590     28,844  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities

     16,897        36,396        17,031        56,588        (77,918     48,994  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity

     320        11,270        10,828        33,531        (44,552     11,397  

Non-controlling interests

     –          –          –          720        –         720  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total equity

     320        11,270        10,828        34,251        (44,552     12,117  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

Total liabilities and equity

     17,217        47,666        27,859        90,839        (122,470     61,111  
  

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

    

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.

(b)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

28


NOTES TO THE FINANCIAL STATEMENTS

(unaudited)

 

12 GUARANTOR STATEMENTS (continued)

 

Cash flow statement

Six months ended 30 June 2019

 

€ million

   Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
    Unilever
parent
entities(a)
    Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
    Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Unilever
Group
 

Net cash flow from operating activities

     (1     493       (24     1,924       –         2,392  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow from /(used in) investing activities

     2,454       (1,698     4,366       (3,380     (2,458     (716
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities

     (2,437     1,202       (4,342     2,263       2,458       (856
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     16       (3     –         807       –         820  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     6       7       (1     3,078       –         3,090  

Effect of foreign exchange rates

     (2     (3     –         (116     –         (121
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     20       1       (1     3,769       –         3,789  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash flow statement

Six months ended 30 June 2018(b)

 

€ million

   Unilever
Capital
Corporation
subsidiary
issuer
    Unilever
parent
entities(a)
    Unilever
United
States Inc.
subsidiary
guarantor
    Non-
guarantor
subsidiaries
    Eliminations     Unilever
Group
 

Net cash flow from operating activities

     –         417       (13     2,286       –         2,690  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow from /(used in) investing activities

     (1,336     (2,731     (460     2,516       570       (1,441
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net cash flow from/(used in) financing activities

     1,340       2,275       471       (4,195     (570     (679
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Net increase/(decrease) in cash and cash equivalents

     4       (39     (2     607       –         570  

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of year

     –         23       (1     3,147       –         3,169  

Effect of foreign exchange rates

     7       18       –         47       –         72  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents at end of year

     11       2       (3     3,801       –         3,811  
  

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

   

 

 

 

 

(a)

The term ‘Unilever parent entities’ includes Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC. Though Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC are separate legal entities, with different shareholder constituencies and separate stock exchange listings, they operate as nearly as practicable as a single economic entity. Debt securities issued by entities in the Unilever Group are fully and unconditionally guaranteed by both Unilever N.V. and Unilever PLC.

(b)

Restated following adoption of IFRS 16. Refer note 1 and note 9.

 

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