Unilever first-quarter sales in line with estimates

[LONDON] Consumer goods maker Unilever reported first-quarter underlying sales growth in line with expectations on Thursday, with increases in both pricing and volume.

The Anglo-Dutch maker of products ranging from Lipton tea to Dove soap said underlying sales rose 4.7 per cent, in line with a company-supplied consensus.

Volume, or the amount of goods sold, rose 2.6 per cent, while prices rose 2 per cent.

Turnover fell 2 per cent to 12.5 billion euros, hurt by weak currencies in various markets.

The company had earlier forecast underlying sales growth of 3 to 5 per cent for 2016, with performance tempered by geopolitical uncertainty and economic volatility.

REUTERS