Unilever shapes up with €1bn cuts for Kraft battle
Its 20% operating margin target looks reachable. Yet, with US rival Kraft Heinz free to go hostile next month, volume growth remains too low for comfort.
The unwelcome approach from Warren Buffett-backed Kraft Heinz in February has been positive in one respect.
Unilever now looks considerably sharper on costs. In the first six months of 2017, it took €1bn off its expenses.
Half came from supply chain efficiencies, while around a third came from brand and marketing spending cuts.
That still leaves a further €5bn of planned cuts to be found. But with a first-half underlying operating margin of 17.8%, Unilever looks comfortably on-track for a 2020 target of 20%.
The company’s profit margins became an area of investor scrutiny when February’s aborted takeover bid forced Unilever into a deep business review.
Its top line is shakier. Underlying sales growth of 3% came from price hikes, not selling more goods. Volume growth in Europe and the Americas was negative.
Stabilising currencies in emerging markets should drive consumer demand. And a sale or spinoff of Unilever’s troubled spreads unit — currently in the works — would eliminate one drag on group performance.
For now, chief executive Paul Polman will still be looking over his shoulder. The six-month hiatus under British takeover rules that has kept Kraft Heinz at bay expires mid-August.
Unilever’s increased bulk since February affords some protection. The US group’s offer valued Unilever at $143bn (€124bn), whereas its current market capitalisation is $170bn (€147bn).
Kraft’s own market capitalisation has fallen slightly to $104bn (€90bn). And a 20% premium would be needed to get shareholders’ mouths watering. Half of the brand and marketing cost savings made so far this year will be ploughed back into souping up its products.
That level of investment would be easier to defend if it looked like customers appreciated it.
