Unilever slowdown

UNILEVER has posted muted growth in the third quarter, missing City forecasts after a slowdown in key international markets and weaker growth in ice cream.

The Marmite and Ben & Jerry’s manufacturer reported weaker- thanexpected sales in the past three months due to softer demand in China and India.

But shares in the consumer giant increased 1pc, or 44p, to 4652.5p after it posted sales of £11.5bn on the back of 2.9pc underlying sales growth. Total turnover increased by 5.8pc as it benefited from positive currency exchange rates.

Ice creams Ben & Jerry’s and Magnum failed to match 2018 sales due to cooler summer temperatures this year in Europe.