Unilever Q1 Trading Statement.

[idpickering]

• Underlying sales were flat with volume growth of 0.2% and negative price of 0.2%
• Developed markets underlying sales growth was 2.8% and emerging markets declined 1.8%
• Turnover increased 0.2% including a positive impact of 0.6% from acquisitions net of disposals and negative impact of 0.4% from currency
• Quarterly dividend maintained at €0.4104 per share

Also;

The Boards have determined to pay a quarterly interim dividend for Q1 2020 at the following rates which are equivalent in value between the two companies at the rate of exchange applied under the terms of the Equalisation Agreement:

Per Unilever PLC ordinary share: £ 0.3614

https://www.unilever.com/Images/ir-q1-2 ... 281_en.pdf

Ex div 14 May 20, paid 4 Jun 20.

[ADrunkenMarcus]

I’m looking forward to the dividend!

[idpickering]

I’m looking forward to the dividend!

Me too. Nowadays any dividend that is to be paid should be cherished. I will be topping up my ULVR holdings soon, but not in time to qualify for this dividend.

Ian.

[Arborbridge]

I’m looking forward to the dividend!

Me too. Nowadays any dividend that is to be paid should be cherished. I will be topping up my ULVR holdings soon, but not in time to qualify for this dividend.

Ian.

What times we live in when we look forward to topping up a company with a held dividend!

Thankful for small mercies.

Arb.

[idpickering]

I’m looking forward to the dividend!

Me too. Nowadays any dividend that is to be paid should be cherished. I will be topping up my ULVR holdings soon, but not in time to qualify for this dividend.

Ian.

What times we live in when we look forward to topping up a company with a held dividend!

Thankful for small mercies.

Arb.

I agree Arb. Ideally we'd like a rising dividend, but these are exceptional times, so I get that we'd better get used to such things as this.

Ian.

[ADrunkenMarcus]

I agree Arb. Ideally we'd like a rising dividend, but these are exceptional times, so I get that we'd better get used to such things as this.

Ian.

They may raise it slightly in quarter 4 just to keep their dividend growth record going.

[idpickering]

I agree Arb. Ideally we'd like a rising dividend, but these are exceptional times, so I get that we'd better get used to such things as this.

Ian.

They may raise it slightly in quarter 4 just to keep their dividend growth record going.

Here’s hoping. Either way, I’m not going to get stressed about this. We’re living in strange times indeed.

Ian.

[Wizard]

The market is not that impressed, down over 5%, bringing the yield to 3.5%.

[kempiejon]

What times we live in when we look forward to topping up a company with a held dividend!

and

The market is not that impressed, down over 5%, bringing the yield to 3.5%.

when that yield has risen to get to 3.5%.

[ADrunkenMarcus]

Now 3.6% yield assuming same sterling rate for remaining quarters and 4028p share price.

[Dod101]

Strange times indeed when all we worry about is the dividend and not the actual state of the business. The numbers look unexciting to say the least but given the general disruption around the world, I guess they are not bad and Unilever looks like the sort of company we need to hold in these times.

See what the half year brings.

Dod

[ADrunkenMarcus]

We worry about both, but you clearly need free cash flow to pay the dividend on a sustainable basis. Unilever isn’t growing but nor is it collapsing like some.

[Arborbridge]

ULVR yield is about as good as it gets, at least in the recent past. Therefore, now is as good as any time if you assume that ULVR will carry on and on.

I was tempted, until I realised my commitment is already 1.55x median, which makes me pull back - plus the small point that I don't have much cash in that account

[tjh290633]

Also in the RNS:

The quarterly dividend calendar for the remainder of 2020 will be as follows:   
                                                                                
                    Announcement   Ex-Dividend    Record Date    Payment Date   
                        Date           Date                                     
=================  =============  =============  =============  =============   
 Q1 2020 Dividend  23 April 2020   14 May 2020    15 May 2020    4 June 2020    
 Q2 2020 Dividend  23 July 2020   6 August 2020  7 August 2020   9 September    
                                                                           2020 
 Q3 2020 Dividend   22 October     5 November     6 November     2 December     
                              2020           2020           2020           2020 
                   =============  =============  =============  =============

On their past record, Q1, Q2 and Q3 dividends are all the same, any increase coming in Q4, but there was none last year.

TJH

[Bouleversee]

Surprising that their sales were flat but every little helps.

[monabri]

Unilever dividend history. The Q1 12/2020 dividend showing no increase.

Code: Select all

Year End | Q1     | Q2     | Q3     | Q4     | Special | Total*  | Growth
12/2020  | 41.04¢ | tbc    | tbc    | tbc    |       - | tbc     | tbc   
12/2019  | 41.04¢ | 41.04¢ | 41.04¢ | 41.04¢ |       - | 164.16¢ |  5.99%
12/2018  | 38.72¢ | 38.72¢ | 38.72¢ | 38.72¢ |       - | 154.88¢ |  8.01%
12/2017  | 35.85¢ | 35.85¢ | 35.85¢ | 35.85¢ |       - | 143.40¢ | 12.00%
12/2016  | 32.01¢ | 32.01¢ | 32.01¢ | 32.01¢ |       - | 128.04¢ |  5.99%
12/2015  | 30.20¢ | 30.20¢ | 30.20¢ | 30.20¢ |       - | 120.80¢ |  5.96%
12/2014  | 28.50¢ | 28.50¢ | 28.50¢ | 28.50¢ |       - | 114.00¢ |  5.95%
12/2013  | 26.90¢ | 26.90¢ | 26.90¢ | 26.90¢ |       - | 107.60¢ | 10.70%
12/2012  | 24.30¢ | 24.30¢ | 24.30¢ | 24.30¢ |       - | 97.20¢  |  8.00%
12/2011  | 22.50¢ | 22.50¢ | 22.50¢ | 22.50¢ |       - | 90.00¢  |  8.17%
12/2010  | 20.80¢ | 20.80¢ | 20.80¢ | 20.80¢ |       - | 83.20¢  | 6.74%2


[Bouleversee]

That's still a pretty good record in the circumstances and their s.p. has held up relatively well. One to bed and ISA for me, I think.

[dealtn]

Surprising that their sales were flat but every little helps.

You thought they would be up, or down?

[Bouleversee]

I thought they might be slightly up.

[ADrunkenMarcus]

The decline in areas such as ice cream offset other areas where there was growth such as Lifebuoy soap and Domestos.