Unilever posts 5.5pc increase in profit

The Hague: Dutch food and cosmetics giant Unilever on Thursday posted a 5.5 per cent rise in net profit boosted by deodorants and ice cream sales, but warned “tough markets” are to continue in 2017. The Rotterdam-based group clocked 5.5 billion euros ($5.9 billion) in net profit last year, while turnover came in at 52.7 billion euros, down 1.0 per cent year-on-year. Unilever said it “delivered another good all-round performance, despite severe economic disruptions, particularly in India and Brazil, two of our largest markets.” — AFP