Bought these back in june when they fell to 4.90...they reached 5.40 back in September, but fell back. Now is hovering around 5.30, but am sure once it breaks through that psycological 5.40 barrier, it will continue upwards and test those 6.00 levels again!

Unilever
£22.56 +116p
Questor says HOLD

Unilever

Consumer goods giant Unilever posted such a strong second quarter that it propelled its shares to their highest ever level. With the market backdrop so challenging, this is an exceptional result.

Some investors feared that the group's numbers would be weak after recent warnings from peers Danone and Procter & Gamble. However, they were proved wrong. Growth in Asia and in its personal care business counteracted any weakness in Europe.

In the six months to June, turnover rose by 11.5pc to €25.4bn (£19.9bn) aided by a positive impact from foreign exchange movements of 1.9 percentage points. Pre-tax profits rose 1pc to €3.3bn.

First-half underlying sales growth came in at 7pc, comprising volume growth of 2.8 percentage points and price growth of 4.1 percentage points. Second-quarter underlying sales growth was a strong of 5.8pc, compared with consensus expectations of a 4.8pc rise.

Investec has reiterated its 'buy' rating and 2,800p target price for consumer goods giant Unilever after its fourth-quarter results came in ahead of forecasts.

"The Q4 & FY12 numbers have beaten consensus expectations on the key metrics of organic growth and core margins (core earnings per share were in line)," said analyst Martin Deboo. "This caps a strong year for ULVR and we see the trends as supportive of our 'buy' case," he said.

Harry - as posted here, I've just sold again here.

1st Quarter results

First quarter highlights

· Underlying sales growth 4.9% with emerging markets up 10.4%

· Underlying volume growth 2.2%; pricing up 2.6%

· Turnover increased 0.2% to €12.2 billion including a negative currency impact of (3.5)%

· Disposals reduced turnover by (1.1)% reflecting the disposal of Skippy and the US Frozen Food business

· Quarterly dividend up 10.7% to €0.2690

3rd Quarter Results

Nine months highlights

· Underlying sales growth 4.4% with emerging markets up 8.8%

· Underlying volume growth 2.4% ahead of our markets and pricing up 1.9%

· Turnover decreased (2.0)% to €38.0 billion including a negative currency impact of (5.0)%


Third quarter highlights

· Underlying sales growth 3.2% with emerging markets up 5.9%

· Underlying volume growth 1.9% and pricing up 1.3%

· Turnover decreased (6.5)% to €12.5 billion including a negative currency impact of (8.5)%

· Acquisitions & Disposals reduced turnover by (1.0)%reflecting the disposal of non-core businesses

2014 First Half Year Results

First half highlights

· Underlying sales growth 3.7% with emerging markets up 6.6%

· Underlying volume growth 1.9% and price up 1.7%

· Turnover decreased by 5.5% to €24.1 billion with currency down (8.5)%

· Core operating margin stable at 14.0% at current exchange rates, up 30bps at constant exchange rates

· Operating profit up 13% reflecting profits on disposal

· Core earnings per share up 2% to €0.78

Second quarter highlights

· Underlying sales growth 3.8% with underlying volume growth 1.9% and price up 1.9%

Final Results

Full year highlights

· Underlying sales growth up 2.9%, ahead of our markets, with volume 1.0% and price 1.9%

· Turnover declined (2.7)% to €48.4 billion including a negative currency impact of (4.6)%

· Core operating margin up 40bps at current exchange rates

· Free cash flow of €3.1billion after €0.8 billion of tax on disposal profits

· Core earnings per share up 11% at constant exchange rates, up 2% at current exchange rates to €1.61

Fourth quarter highlights
· Underlying sales growth up 2.1% with volume (0.4)% and price 2.5%

· Turnover increased 2.4% including a positive currency impact of 1.6% and net acquisitions & disposals (1.3)%

1st Quarter Results

First quarter highlights

· Turnover increased 12.3% to €12.8 billion including a positive currency impact of 10.6%

· Underlying sales growth at 2.8% with emerging markets up 5.4%

· Underlying volume growth at 0.9% and pricing up 1.9%

· Quarterly dividend up 6% to €0.302

Been buying here for long term hold.

Despite the emerging markets exposure, such heavyweight/defensives do better than they are expected to do. Looks like the recent lows was another good buy opportunity. And the divi ain't too shabby either.

Good numbers today, surprising about emerging markets.

Statement regarding announcement by The Kraft Heinz Company of a potential transaction
Unilever notes the recent announcement by The Kraft Heinz Company ("Kraft Heinz") that it has made a potential offer for all of the shares of Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V.

Their proposal represents a premium of 18% to Unilever's share price as at the close of business on 16 February 2017. This fundamentally undervalues Unilever. Unilever rejected the proposal as it sees no merit, either financial or strategic, for Unilever's shareholders. Unilever does not see the basis for any further discussions.

Unilever PLC and Unilever N.V. recommend that shareholders take no action. Further announcements will be made as appropriate.

The proposal received was that Unilever common shareholders would receive $50.00 per share in a mix of $30.23 per share in cash payable in U.S. dollars and 0.222 new enlarged entity shares per existing Unilever share, which valued Unilever at a total equity value of approximately $143 billion.

As at the close of business on 16 February 2017, a mix of $30.23 in cash payable in U.S. dollars and 0.222 Kraft Heinz shares per existing Unilever share would value each Unilever common share at $49.61, representing a premium of 18% to Unilever's share price.

As stated in the recent announcement by Kraft Heinz, in accordance with Rule 2.6(a) of the Code, by not later than 5.00 pm on 17 March 2017, Kraft Heinz must either announce a firm intention to make an offer for Unilever under Rule 2.7 of the Code or announce that it does not intend to make an offer for Unilever, in which case the announcement will be treated as a statement to which Rule 2.8 of the Code applies. This deadline will only be extended with the consent of the Takeover Panel in accordance with Rule 2.6(c) of the Code.

As required by the Code, Unilever confirms that this announcement is not being made with the agreement of Kraft Heinz.

Reuters - U.S. food company Kraft Heinz Co (KHC.O) withdrew its proposal for a $143-billion merger with larger rival Unilever Plc (ULVR.L), the companies said on Sunday, raising questions about whether Kraft will turn its focus to another target.

Kraft had made a surprise offer for Unilever to build a global consumer goods behemoth that was flatly rejected on Friday by Unilever, the maker of Lipton tea and Dove soap.

Kraft withdrew its offer because it felt it was too difficult to negotiate a deal following the public disclosure of its bid so soon after its approach to Unilever, according to people familiar with the matter who requested anonymity to discuss confidential deliberations.

Kraft had not expected to encounter the resistance it received from Unilever, one of the people said. Some key concerns raised during talks included potential UK government scrutiny, as well as differences between the companies' cultures and business models, the person added.

“Kraft Heinz’s interest was made public at an extremely early stage," Kraft Heinz spokesman Michael Mullen said in a statement. "Our intention was to proceed on a friendly basis, but it was made clear Unilever did not wish to pursue a transaction. It is best to step away early so both companies can focus on their own independent plans to generate value.”