By Michael Susin

Unilever is scheduled to report results for the third quarter on Thursday. Here is what you need to know.

TURNOVER FORECAST: The Anglo-Dutch retailer--which owns consumer brands such as Dove, and Knorr--is expected to post an increase in third-quarter turnover to 15.49 billion euros ($16.73 billion) from 15.24 billion euros the same period a year ago, according to a company-compiled consensus.

UNDERLYING SALES FORECAST: Underlying sales growth--which strips out exceptional and other one-off items--for the same period is anticipated to grow 4.2%, with a contribution of 3.2% from volume--the amount of goods sold--and 1.0% from price, reflecting how much its products were sold for.

Shares over past 52 weeks are up nearly 20%, trading at close to five-year highs. The positive market is a response to the company's growth plan, AJ Bell said in a note.

WHAT TO WATCH

--Unilever expects underlying sales growth for 2024 to be within its multiyear range of 3 to 5%, with the majority of the growth being driven by volume.

--The company currently expects an underlying operating margin of at least 18% this year, compared to previous forecasts of a modest improvement on the 16.7% margin it reported last year. Market expectations pinpoints the margin at 18.3%, according to a market consensus provided by the company.

--The board declared a quarterly dividend of 42.68 European cents a year ago.

--Investors will be looking for comments regarding Unilever's plans to cut 800 million euros in costs, invest heavily in its thirty main brands and split off its ice-cream business as part of a growth plan launched by Chief Executive Hein Schumacher.

Write to Michael Susin at michael.susin@wsj.com

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

October 23, 2024 06:35 ET (10:35 GMT)

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