New upmarket shampoo and ice cream ranges helped consumer goods giant Unilever report a better-than-expected rise in revenue.
The Lynx, Wall’s and PG Tips owner saw underlying sales grow 2.9% to €14.2 billion (£10 billion) in the three months to June 30, beating analyst forecasts of a 2.6% rise.
Unilever said its Dove Advanced Hair Series was establishing itself well globally, and the TRESemmé brand was extending its reach to more premium ranges.
The group also gave its ice cream offer a licking, introducing Magnum Pink and plastering its marketing across London’s buses.
Unilever did warn that consumer demand remains weak, and in the six months to the end of June, operating profit dropped 13%.
However this largely reflected the disposal of the Ragu and Bertolli pasta sauce brands the previous year.
The City welcomed the update and shares climbed 56p to 2915p.
But Premier Foods shares dipped 0.35p to 42.15p after the Bisto gravy owner posted a 1.6% fall in revenue for the 13 weeks to July 4.
The fall was in part because of Easter falling earlier in the year.
