Proactive Investors - Unilever PLC (LON:ULVR)'s new CEO Hein Schumacher has joined the company at an opportune time with €1bn of reinvestment having been pumped back into the consumer staples business.
However, an increase in market share and volumes is imperative when pricing finally declines, said Barclays (LON:BARC) Capital in a note to clients.
In the 40-page epic, the investment banking arm of the high street lender repeated its equal weight recommendation and £43 a share price target.
In late morning trade, the stock was changing hands for £42.90, up 0.7%.
Of the 18 banks and brokerages covering Unilever, only eight are positive on the outlook for the shares. Seven are in Barclays’ camp, while the remainder are negative.
The consensus share price target is £41.80.
Home to well-known brands such as Lipton, Knorr, Hellmann's, Dove, Axe, and Ben & Jerry's, the Anglo-Dutch multinational consumer goods company is jointly headquartered in London and Rotterdam.
It has three divisions: foods and refreshments, home care, and beauty and personal care and operates in over 190 countries.