Unilever reported a better-than-expected increase in third quarter sales as the consumer goods giant was buoyed by its ice cream business ahead of a spin off next year.
The FTSE 100 group, which owns brands ranging from Marmite to Dove soap, posted underlying sales growth of 4.5 per cent during the third quarter, its biggest quarterly rise in sales in three and a half years.
Slower price rises and new product innovations helped to lift volume growth by 3.6 per cent, ahead of City forecasts of 3.2 per cent.
Underlying sales growth for the group’s ice cream business rose to 9.8 per cent with volume growth for ice cream brands such as Cornetto and Ben & Jerry’s rising to 6.7 per cent.