Unilever (UL) confirms inbound offer and talks on potential Foods business deal

Rhea-AI Filing Summary

Unilever PLC has received an inbound offer for its Foods business and is in discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc. about a potential transaction. The Board describes Foods as a highly attractive business with a strong financial profile and market-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 and includes extensive forward-looking statement warnings about business, financial, climate and regulatory risks.

Insights

Equity analyst – consumer & M&A

Unilever confirms talks on a possible Foods divestment but no deal terms or certainty are disclosed.

Unilever acknowledges an unsolicited offer for its Foods business and ongoing discussions with McCormick & Company. The Board simultaneously highlights Foods as financially strong and strategically attractive within the group, signalling that any transaction decision is likely to be valuation and strategy driven.

The absence of price, structure or timing details means the financial impact cannot be assessed from this disclosure alone. Explicit language that there is “no certainty that any transaction will be agreed” frames the situation as exploratory rather than committed, so the information is noteworthy but not thesis-changing on its own.

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 offices)

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

This report on Form 6-K shall be deemed to be filed and incorporated by reference in the registration statement on Form F-3 (File No. 333-273447, No. 333-273447-01, No. 333-273447-02 and No. 333-273447-03) of Unilever PLC, Unilever United States, Inc., Unilever Capital Corporation and Unilever Finance Netherlands B.V. and the registration statements on Form S-8 (File Nos. 333-277922, 333-268754, 333-185299 and 333-103491-01) of Unilever PLC and to be a part thereof from the date on which this report is furnished, to the extent not superseded by documents or reports subsequently filed or furnished.

INDEX TO EXHIBITS

No.						Exhibit
99.1						Stock Exchange Announcement dated 20 March 2026

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
Date: 12 March 2026			By:			/s/ P. Kakkad
						Name:			P. Kakkad
						Title:			Chief Legal Officer and Group Company Secretary

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.

FAQ

What potential transaction did Unilever (UL) disclose regarding its Foods business?

Unilever disclosed it has received an inbound offer for its Foods business and is in discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc. The announcement stresses there is no certainty that any transaction will be agreed, so this remains an exploratory stage rather than a confirmed deal.

How does Unilever (UL) describe its Foods business in this announcement?

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

Does Unilever (UL) guarantee a sale of its Foods business to McCormick?

No, Unilever explicitly states there can be no certainty that any transaction will be agreed. While discussions with McCormick & Company, Inc. are underway, the company frames the process as uncertain and provides no terms, timing, or commitment to complete a sale.

What risks does Unilever (UL) highlight in its forward-looking statements section?

Unilever highlights numerous risks, including brand performance, innovation, portfolio investment choices, climate change impacts, plastic packaging solutions, supply chain disruptions, raw material cost volatility, regulatory and tax matters, and emerging ESG reporting standards, any of which could cause outcomes to differ from forward-looking statements.

How is this Unilever (UL) announcement treated under U.S. securities rules?

The report is furnished on Form 6-K and is incorporated by reference into Unilever’s existing Form F-3 and Form S-8 registration statements. This means the information becomes part of those registration documents from the furnishing date, subject to being superseded by later filings.

Filing Exhibits & Attachments

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Press Releases

• EX-99.1 EX-99.1 6.5 KB