Unilever PLC (LSE:ULVR) will provide third-quarter results on October 26, marking a chance for fresh chief executive Hein Schumacher to delve into his plans for the business.
Having been appointed on July 1, Schumacher gave a brief overview of his plans to “improve competitiveness” at the consumer goods giant in its interim results later that month.
However, having now had time to settle in, expectations are that he will provide some clarity on how this will be done in Unilever’s upcoming statement.
“We don't expect fireworks from the new chief executive,” Jefferies analysts noted ahead of the results.
“A mandate for change and the gross margin tailwinds to fund it should be enough for now, with more portfolio focus to come.”
Market share losses in Europe and the US will be one point of focus, according to the bank, though expectations of falling prices on raw materials could leave Unilever with cash to reinvest.
Sales growth should come in at around 5%, based purely on higher product prices, Jefferies added, with Unilever’s turnover having sat at €15.8 billion in the third quarter of last year.
Backing the FTSE-100 listed firm, Jefferies said the stock remained attractive with a new chief executive and the presence of activist investor Trian Partners on the board likely to prompt “decisive” action moving forward.