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Unilever (UL) in talks with McCormick over inbound offer for Foods unit

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(Neutral)
Filing Sentiment
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Form Type
6-K

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Unilever PLC has received an inbound offer for its Foods business and is in discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc.. The Board describes Foods as a highly attractive business with strong finances and leading brands, and says it remains confident in its future as part of Unilever.

The company cautions that there can be no certainty any transaction will be agreed. It also includes an extensive forward-looking statements disclaimer highlighting risks such as changing consumer preferences, climate impacts, supply chain disruptions, and regulatory and sustainability-related uncertainties.

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Insights

Unilever confirms an inbound offer for its Foods business but outcome remains uncertain.

Unilever acknowledges an unsolicited approach for its Foods business and ongoing talks with McCormick & Company. This signals potential portfolio reshaping, but the Board also underlines its confidence in Foods as part of the group, suggesting no predetermined commitment to sell.

The statement that there is “no certainty that any transaction will be agreed” means the situation is exploratory. A lengthy cautionary note on forward-looking statements and risks, including climate, supply chain, cost inflation and regulation, frames any potential deal and future performance within substantial uncertainty.

For now, the key factors are whether negotiations with McCormick progress to a firm proposal and how Unilever later describes strategic rationale, valuation and use of proceeds in subsequent disclosures, if a transaction is ultimately agreed.

UNITED STATES
SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION
Washington, D.C. 20549
_________________________________________________
FORM 6-K
_________________________________________________
 
REPORT OF FOREIGN PRIVATE ISSUER
PURSUANT TO RULE 13a-16 OR 15d-16
OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934
 
March 2026
Commission File
Number: 001-04546
______________________________________________________
 UNILEVER PLC
(Translation of registrant’s name into English)
 _____________________________________________________
 
UNILEVER HOUSE, BLACKFRIARS, LONDON, ENGLAND
(Address of principal executive office)
_____________________________________________________
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant files or will file annual reports
under cover of Form 20-F or Form 40-F.
Form 20-F ☒ Form 40-F ☐
 
 
 
20 March 2026
Unilever PLC
 
Response to media speculation
 
 
Unilever notes recent media speculation regarding a potential transaction involving its Foods business.
 
The Board believes Foods is a highly attractive business, with a strong financial profile led by market-leading brands in growing categories and is confident in the future of the Foods business as part of Unilever. 
 
Unilever confirms that it has received an inbound offer for its Foods business and is in discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc. There can be no certainty that any transaction will be agreed.
 
 
For any enquiries, please contact:
 
Investor Relations: Investor.Relations@unilever.com
 
Unilever Press Office: Press-Office.London@unilever.com
 

 
Cautionary Statement
 
This announcement may contain forward-looking statements within the meaning of the securities laws of certain jurisdictions, including 'forward-looking statements' within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. All statements other than statements of historical fact are, or may be deemed to be, forward-looking statements. Words and terminology such as 'will', 'aim', 'expects', 'anticipates', 'intends', 'looks', 'believes', 'vision', 'ambition', 'target', 'goal', 'plan', 'potential', 'work towards', 'may', 'milestone', 'objectives', 'outlook', 'probably', 'project', 'risk', 'continue', 'should', 'would be', 'seeks', or the negative of these terms and other similar expressions of future performance, results, actions or events, and their negatives, are intended to identify such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements also include, but are not limited to, statements and information regarding Unilever's emissions reduction and other sustainability-related targets and other climate and sustainability matters (including actions, potential impacts and risks and opportunities associated therewith). Forward-looking statements can be made in writing but also may be made verbally by directors, officers and employees of the Unilever Group (the "Group") (including during management presentations) in connection with this announcement. These forward-looking statements are based upon current expectations and assumptions regarding anticipated developments and other factors affecting the Group. They are not historical facts, nor are they guarantees of future performance or outcomes. All forward-looking statements contained in this announcement are expressly qualified in their entirety by the cautionary statements contained in this section. Readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.
 
Because these forward-looking statements involve known and unknown risks and uncertainties, a number of which may be beyond the Group's control, there are important factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by these forward-looking statements. Among other risks and uncertainties, the material or principal factors which could cause actual results to differ materially from the forward-looking statements expressed in this announcement are: Unilever's global brands not meeting consumer preferences; Unilever's ability to innovate and remain competitive; Unilever's investment choices in its portfolio management; the effect of climate change on Unilever's business; Unilever's ability to find sustainable solutions to its plastic packaging; significant changes or deterioration in customer relationships; the recruitment and retention of talented employees; disruptions in Unilever's supply chain and distribution; increases or volatility in the cost of raw materials and commodities; the production of safe and high-quality products; secure and reliable IT infrastructure; execution of acquisitions, divestitures and business transformation projects; economic, social and political risks and natural disasters; financial risks; failure to meet high and ethical standards; and managing regulatory, tax and legal matters and practices with regard to the interpretation and application thereof and emerging and developing ESG reporting standards including differences in implementation of climate and sustainability policies in the regions where the Group operates.
 
The forward-looking statements are based on our beliefs, assumptions and expectations of our future performance, taking into account all information currently available to us. Forward-looking statements are not predictions of future events. These beliefs, assumptions and expectations can change as a result of many possible events or factors, not all of which are known to us. If a change occurs, our business, financial condition, liquidity and results of operations may vary materially from those expressed in our forward-looking statements.
 
The forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this announcement. Except as required by any applicable law or regulation, the Group expressly disclaims any intention, obligation or undertaking to release publicly any updates or revisions to any forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect any change in the Group's expectations with regard thereto or any change in events, conditions or circumstances on which any such statement is based. New risks and uncertainties arise over time, and it is not possible for us to predict those events or how they may affect us. In addition, we cannot assess the impact of each factor on our business or the extent to which any factor, or combination of factors, may cause actual events, to differ materially from those contained in any forward-looking statements.
 
Further details of potential risks and uncertainties affecting the Group are described in the Group's filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including in the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2025 and the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2025.
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Signatures
 
Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned, thereunto duly authorized.
 
UNILEVER PLC
 
/P/ KAKKAD
 
 
 
By P KAKKAD
 
CHIEF LEGAL OFFICER AND GROUP COMPANY SECRETARY
 
 
 
 
Date 20 March 2026

FAQ

What did Unilever PLC (UL) disclose about its Foods business in this 6-K?

Unilever disclosed it has received an inbound offer for its Foods business and is in discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc. The Board emphasized that Foods is a highly attractive business with strong financial characteristics and leading brands in growing categories.

Is Unilever PLC (UL) committed to selling its Foods business to McCormick?

Unilever is not committed to a sale. It confirms discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc. but explicitly states there can be no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, indicating exploratory talks rather than a finalized or binding deal at this stage.

How does Unilever PLC describe the quality of its Foods business?

Unilever describes its Foods business as highly attractive, with a strong financial profile and market-leading brands in growing categories. The Board also states it is confident in the future of the Foods business as part of Unilever, underscoring perceived strategic and financial strength.

What risks and uncertainties does Unilever PLC highlight in this announcement?

Unilever highlights numerous risks, including brands not matching consumer preferences, climate change impacts, plastic packaging challenges, supply chain disruptions, raw material cost volatility, regulatory and tax matters, and evolving ESG reporting standards, all of which could cause results to differ from forward-looking statements.

What forward-looking statement cautions does Unilever PLC include here?

Unilever states that all non-historical statements are forward-looking, based on current expectations and assumptions, and subject to known and unknown risks. It warns actual outcomes may differ materially and disclaims any obligation to update these statements except where required by applicable law or regulation.

Where can investors find more detail on Unilever PLC’s risk factors?

Unilever directs readers to its filings with the London Stock Exchange, Euronext Amsterdam and the US Securities and Exchange Commission, including the Annual Report on Form 20-F 2025 and the Unilever Annual Report and Accounts 2025, for more detailed descriptions of potential risks and uncertainties.
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